computer problems?

Question

I'm not sure if I have a virus but I get a ton of pop ups and my internet explorer stopped working. so is there a program I can download for free to "clean" my computer?

Answer 1

I would suggest both of these, free.

SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
http://www.superantispyware.com

ewido.
Go to the left of the page where it says,"Scan your computer now online
and clean it for free!"
http://www.ewido.net/en/

Answer 2

scroll to messenger spam

SECURE

when you buy a computer,the security settings are less than satisfactory,SPECIALLY if you have XP Home for the operating system [ aka os ].
Vista is more secure but it too needs security updating. in addition,i've added how to get rid of several naggers like the delete confirmation dialog box [ do you really want to del;ete this item/ ] and error reports [ do you want to send MS an error report? like they care! ].

Internet Options:

start
control panel
internet options:
general:
history:
clear and set days to keep to 0
temp files:
clear

Privacy:
advanced
override
check:
allow 1st party cookies
BLOCK 3rd party [ tracking/spyware cookies ]

Advanced:
now,here is where Vista has it all over XP!
under ActiveX,Vista doesn't even show this catagory.
XP on the other hand needs to disable the following:
uncheck or disable:
unsigned
unsafe
automatic prompt

Browsing:
disable:
display notification of every cript error
reuse windows [ forcing new window to open ]
use inline autocomplete
check:
notify when downloads complete
Printing:
check print background colors and images IF you use a printer,otherwise uncheck
Search:
check display results in main window
Security:
uncheck:
allow active content to run [ 2 ]
allow invalid software to run
check/enable:
empty temporary internet files folder when browser closes

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THESE SECURITY SETTING AFFECT ..ONLY..INTERNET EXPLORER!
OTHER WEB BROWSERS LIKE FIREFOX,OPERA,ECT. HAVE THEIR OWN SECURITY SETTINGS UNDER THEIR TOOLS..OPTIONS..LINKS,SO BE ..SURE..TO SET THOSE UP AND NOT ALLOW DEFAULT SETTINGS TO PROTECT YOU AS THEY WON'T.

MESSENGER SPAM:

these next two security settings affect ONLY XP Home as Vista has these already coverd.
Services.these 2 "ports" are open by default in XP and need to be closed to hackers.
start
control panel
administrative tools
services:
Alerter:
right click
select properties
from drop down menu select disable
next find Messenger in the M section and also disable the same way.

these next options are NOT security risks but are considerable naggers we can do without harming the performance level of our computer.

Delete Confirmation Dialog Box:
do you want to delete this item?
right click recycle bin icon
select properties
check use 1 setting
uncheck display delete confirmation dialog box

Answer 3

i think u have viruses and spyware here is free anti spyware
called adaware www.lavasoft.com

and free anti virus
www.avast.com

Answer 4

yes, and it is very good. Here is a link:
http://www.ccleaner.com/