I need a computer EXPERT!!?

Question

I was just looking at a real estate site on the internet. While looking at pictures of homes for sale a message popped up on my computer. The message was from microsoft and said asked if I wanted to do a sweep on my computer to clean out certain files. It stated that I had several adult themed files on my computer and that I should remove them. What bothered me is that the message stated that the images that were on my computer could "cause problems with your career and your marriage". This is what made me think it was not a true message from my computer but a pop up from this site. When the message appeared it was the same background color of my computer (I customized it so that my tool bar and such would be pink). I tried to do a search on my computer for any adult content but didn't find any. I do have McAfee security and virus protection and I also had my pop up blocker turned on. I personally know that I haven't viewed any adult content on my computer. Any ideas? Is this real?

I don't believe anybody else has looked at porngraphic images on my computer. I am married but he is never on the computer when not in front of me. What is going on here?

Answer 1

That pop-up was NOT from your computer and it was NOT from Microsoft. Your computer is dumb, it can not differentiate between an "adult-themed" site and Disney.com. And Microsoft couldn't care less where you surf to on the internet. And your computer could NOT possibly know if your marriage would be in jeopardy. Heck, many couples watch porno together!!

So relax! But not too much as your computer is likely infected, probably with some adware and will require some clean-up.

Run both of these on-line scans. Both are free and excellent at detecting and removing malware free of charge. There is no need to un-install any of your current protections before using these.

1. Scan for virus, worms, dialers, etc. and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with BitDefender's Online Scanner
http://www.bitdefender.com/

2. Scan for trojans, adware, cookies, and spyware and remove (free online scan, no downloaded program) with Ewido Online Scanner ( now known as AVG Anti-Spyware). This is NOT the same as AVG Anti-Virus.
http://www.ewido.net/en/

These scans will take quite a bit of time. The time is necessary to clean-up an infected computer.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I don't know if this question needs an actual computer Expert, but here's the rundown.

Chances are what you have encountered is a piece of cleverly written spyware. The real estate website that you were looking at probably did not plant this file, though it is a possibility. Be advised that Microsoft will never alert you about content on your computer. The only real popup that Microsoft sends to customers are notifications that they do not have genuine installations of windows on their computers. Aside from this, disregard anything indicating that it is from Microsoft.

While there are many reputable programs that clear your tracks on your computer, I'd strongly advise against purchasing software from any company who finds it necessary to scare you via popup ads. A while back I got a pesky little virus from an Internet site which told me the only way I could get rid of it was using WinAntivirusPro. Suffice it to say I did not buy their software, but it was a pain to get that wonderful little virus off my computer.

You probably have something very similar to what I experienced. There are a couple free programs to help remove this bug from your computer. Lavasoft Ad-Aware is fairly comprehensive in its scans, but it usually cannot find virus-like spyware. Since you have McAfee, you may want to run a virus scan first. I have provided a link to Ad-Aware below. Additionally, a better program (though it is not free) may be better suited for this type of an infection, SpyHunter.

A word of caution: Usually try to avoid clicking any buttons in the advertisement window. Only click the orange X in the top right of the screen. There may be a smaller window inside the ad, but don't click on it. By clicking within the window, you are allowing the program to execute as it deems fit. Always just close them.

The threat of "adult content" on your computer does not actually search or reference any particular file on your computer. It is just a blanket statement that tries to psychologically target (as referenced in their threat) a larger number of people. Don't be worried about the alleged "adult content" on your computer, because if you have not visited the sites, it simply is not there. Rather focus on getting rid of this wonderful piece of spyware on your machine.

If it was an isolated pop-up window and you have not had recurring windows either identical to or similar to the one you saw, you may not have an infection on your computer. However, it is better to be safe than sorry, so I would recommend running the scans anyway.

Good luck and happy scanning.

Answer 3

People panic when they hear they have porn on their computer. Many people try to exploit this using techniques like this. If you clicked the link (don't), you would probably find that they would try to sell you software that would "remove" the porn. Since the porn does not exist, this would require very little work ;)

It is possible that this pop-up was displayed by the site you were on, but it seems unlikely. Rather, adware on your computer is probably doing it. This is a problem that needs to be addressed, since it may take some some drastic measures to get you to pay for their service, such as putting porn on your computer.

If you have been downloading a lot of stuff, you problably have spyware.

Spyware is a vague term used to describe any software that installs onto your computer without your permission. Most often, it is used in order to display ads on your computer. However, it is also commonly used to record your keystrokes, thus stealing your passwords. Spyware only exists for Microsoft Windows, not Linux, BSD, Mac, or any other operating system.

The easiest way to remove spyware and keep it away is to remove Windows. I would recommend an upgrade to Ubuntu Linux. It is free, as is almost all the software for it. You will find it to be much easier to use, more reliable, and far more customizable than Windows.
http://ubuntu.com

If you do stick with Windows, either because you cannot switch or are just being stupid, follow these steps to get and keep your computer relatively clean of spyware.

Remove It:
Removing spyware can be a tricky process. For this reason, you should use multiple applications to scan your computer for spyware and remove it. This way if one application misses something, another will get it.

I recommend installing and using two of the following for good protection (links point to reviews of the software. Download link can be found on the page):
http://www.2-spyware.com/review-spyware-...
http://www.2-spyware.com/review-spy-swee...
http://www.2-spyware.com/review-spybot-s...


Avoid Getting It:
No amount of anti-spyware software is going to keep you completely clean. Anyway, do you really want to be going through the removal process multiple times per week? To supplement your anti-sypware software, use common sense and be careful what you install. Most spyware comes into your system bundled in freeware applications. Only download software from trustworthy sources such as download.com, softipedia, and SourceForge.


For more information on spyware and spyware removal, see http://2-spyware.com

And remember, as I stated in the beginning of the article, all of this trouble is needless. You can just switch to Linux and get rid of it all. Why everyone does not do so is beyond me.
http://ubuntu.com

Answer 4

At - INSUREDEAL.archives- you will get rates in basically a couple of minutes RE computing device specialists: a thank you to insure the toughness of ones computing device? gadget properties: Microsoft living house windows XP living house version version 2002 provider %. 2 Dell measurement DEO51 Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 2.53GHz 2.fifty 3 GHz. 768 MB of RAM AT&T Yahoo provider provider - MODEM Speedstream 4100 My Comp. Tech instructed me he had tripled the memory; so the above specs. won't be precise with regard to this. while no longer in use, I consistently placed it on "Stand by way of". Disk Fragmenter: while could I, and shouldn't, make the main of this? i'm seventy 4 yrs. previous, and had by no skill even touched a working laptop or computing device til I retired; and have not have been given any formal coaching in computing device operations. So please delineate your responses in layman's words. Any suggestions with the intention to insure my computing device's toughness may well be a great deal liked. thank you, Alberich

Answer 5

You don't need a computer expert just a reality check :)

It's a pop-up. Pop-up blockers unfortunately cannot block all pop-ups...


The coders of these pop-ups are very clever, they can code them so that they use the colors of your browser or even your first name if they are coded properly. If you are using McAfee that's a good start.Make sure it is set up to automatically update itself and that it is properly configured to scan everything... same with the firewall.

If you get a pop up and you are not certain how to close it without clicking on it... close out of the browser entirely... you can either close the main browser or ctrl+alt+del and find iexplore.exe on the task manager, highlight it, and delete .

These pop-ups work on a hacking principle called "social engineering".. in that they play on your emotions to get you to do something.

good luck.

Answer 6

That was just a pop up add, you probably don't have any porn on your computer. They can code pop up windows to match your computers theme which makes them look more convincing.

"cause problems with your career and your marriage" is the classic line companies that sell data destruction software use to try and convince people to buy their product. Don't worry about anything.

Answer 7

I've had a pop-up like this before too.
They are fake, they're a lure. You click on them and it will ask you to download a new anti-virus blocker. It downloads a file hacker at the same time and this can lead to identity theft and things like that.
My advice, NEVER CLICK ON POP-UPS.
Haha. Hope that helped.

Answer 8

Firstly - Nothing to worry about.

It was most probably just a pop-up. It's kind of hard to explain why it has the same pink toolbar. If your using Internet Explorer, you'll notice that has the same pink toolbar, it's the same with the pop-up, it's part of Internet Explorer so It's still going to have the same toolbar. :-)

You have nothing to worry about. You have all the virus protection you need.

If you want a better browser, take a look at Mozilla Firefox, which is an alternative to Internet Explorer. http://www.getfirefox.com

Edit: Oh my god, lots of people beat me to it! Well, use my advice as you like!

Answer 9

This is adware and spyware,Mcafee only gets viruses, and popups dont completly get blocked by anything, to get rid of all of it, download spybot search & destroy from here: http://spybot-download.net/spybotsd15.ex... , if that doesnt do the job, get ad-aware, ad-aware is also very powerful, you can get it here: http://www.download.com/3001-8022_4-1073... . Both are free, and good, remember, before using these, update! It most of the time will work, next time, never click on those links, because they cant tell whats on your computer, its a misleading ad.

Answer 10

Sounds like a virus that is sitting in 'System Restore':

A lot of viruses, spyware & adware sit in RAM, the registry and System Restore and because of the latter will return even after deleting or re-booting. Removing can be quite time consuming but thankfully not impossible.

First of all turn off System Restore by right clicking on ‘My Computer’ > Properties > System Restore. Now enable “Turn off system restore on all drives” > click apply > click ok.

Re-boot your computer in Safe Mode – (achieved by pressing F8 continually during boot up) this should clear out the viruses and spies in RAM and the registry. Now run your anti virus and anti spyware and anti adware software and delete or quarantine any viruses or spies found.

Re-boot your computer in normal mode and complete another virus check. If all comes back clean turn on System Restore.

Free downloads for keeping your system clean:
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0
http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php?PHPSESSID=4d7a50f66c1740616ac9a4e452aab17a


Also free Zone Alarm Firewall:
http://www.download.com/3000-2092-10039884.html


WDW