Internet Explorer popup problems.

[beckms]

OK, I'm fed up. For several weeks now I've been having major problems with popup ads in Inernet Explorer windows popping up even though I only use Mozilla. I'd got Ad-Aware, but I could scan my computer every 5 minutes and it would find something to delete every time. I've got a pop-up blocker that works pretty well, but it really bugs me that the darn things are even there to be blocked in the first place.

I scan my computer for viruses using Norton every week, and nothing comes up.

I posted about this when it first started happening, and someone (can't remember who, sorry!) walked me through a series of steps to configure my computer to stop the popups, but that didn't work, either.

Any ideas? How are these things getting onto my computer? Tnere MUST be a way to stop it once and for all, short of trashing this computer and starting from scratch! Aaaaaaaaarrrrgh!!!!

[HealthyinMN]

It sounds like you have tried a bunch of things...

Look here - this might help

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=23382

[jmarie]

I got fed-up and went and downloaded the Google Toolbar. Once in awhile, I might get a pop-up,(especially on the Drudge Report) but as it stand now, google has blocked 475 pop-ups. I love seeing the Ka-Pow when it blocks one.

Good luck. They are frustrating!:(
Joyce

[jlo_of_hotlanta]

If you have Windows XP, have you gone to the website and downloaded the newest update (names something like Service Pack 2)? I've noticed it significantly cute down on the number of popups I get.

Hope this helps!

Ashley

[HejazSunKat]

Originally posted by jmarie
I got fed-up and went and downloaded the Google Toolbar. Once in awhile, I might get a pop-up,(especially on the Drudge Report) but as it stand now, google has blocked 475 pop-ups. I love seeing the Ka-Pow when it blocks one.

I was going to suggest the same. It seems to work very well on my computer too.

[gabbyh]

Anoher happy customer here of the Google toolbar!

~Gail

[ChristineVA]

I just got cable and spent the entire weekend getting rid of pop-ups. So far, in the last 24 hours, I haven't had one. Here's everything I did.

I have Norton Internet Security 2004. It has anti-virus, firewall, pop-up, and spam protection.

Downloaded Ad-Aware and Spybot. Both find different stuff. Personally, I am liking Spybot better. Run both of this in "Safe Mode". They will run better and delete more ad stuff. It can't delete everything when you run the computer in regular mode.

Added the Google toolbar as the others have said. Seems to work very well.

I have heard good things about Mozilla but really didn't want to try that just yet.

I think you should add the Spybot and then run both programs in Safe Mode.

Christine

[Grace]

I know a lot of people hate AOL, but I've had it for many years with nary a problem. They have a wonderful pop-up blocker that really, really works. I might get one or two a week at most, and I spend my whole day on the internet sometimes.

And they have a great spam filter too.

[ChristineVA]

Grace,
Are you on the AOL dial-up service or do you have Broadband? I have been using AOL dial-up for 8 years. You are correct in that I find AOL to be very good. I don't know why so many people hate it. I have never had a problem and I can't even remember when I had a pop-up. But I needed some speed, so I switched to Comcast cable. That is where my nightmare began because I had no pop-up blockers, firewall, etc. I've got that resolved now, but it has taken a lot of my time. I just called AOL to cancel my service and, of course, they tried to sell me broadband. I just can't see paying the extra $$$$ for it on top of the cable, even though they said that my cable would reduce by $14.95 per month if I was an AOL member. Anyway, I was wondering who used Broadband and if it is worth the extra expense.
Christine

[Grace]

I have DSL through my phone company, so I don't use AOL's dial-up except for rare cases when the DSL is down (or my router is screwed up or something) - this happens maybe once or twice a year, and usually just for a couple of hours to maybe a day or two max. Anyway, I pay AOL an extra $10.00 a month or something (not sure exactly) on top of what I pay for my DSL to keep my AOL service. Our DSL came with an email address so I technically don't need AOL, but I was established everywhere with my AOL address and didn't feel like changing it absolutely everywhere and with absolutely everyone, not to mention I like the AOL service. No problems, no pop-ups, great spam filters, and a lot of the content is good - good full length concerts, access to any Time-Warner publication's website with no access codes, etc. And I'm used to it. That's a big part. Also, my bookmarked sites (aka favorites) are stored on AOL's server, so I can access my favorites folder from any computer anywhere (great for when I'm at work or on vacation, whatever).

Sorry to sound like a big AOL commercial - I don't work for them or anything like that, but I think they have gotten a really undeserved rap. I know they had tremendous problems in the beginning, but that was many years ago already, and they've worked all those bugs out. And I think that the biggest beef was their dial-up - being kicked off all the time. That's not a problem with DSL, so that negative aspect goes right out the window.

[Abby]

I run Ad-aware, Spybot and have the Google toolbar and still get blasted every time I get on the net! :o

[ChristineVA]

Originally posted by Abby
I run Ad-aware, Spybot and have the Google toolbar and still get blasted every time I get on the net! :o

I'm doing okay with those three things; however, I do have a Norton Internet Security Suite which provides additional pop-up control so that may be the trick.

[Dishie]

You also might want to download and run bazooka. I work in an IT department and my computer was taken over by adware. I downloaded bazooka and found that a bunch of executable ads were installed on my hard-drive and needed to be uninstalled manually. If you don't uninstall them manually, they will come back the next time you log on to your computer (it will reload it everytime).

If this is indeed the same problem that I had, feel free to email me and I will try and help you with it. The google toolbar helped me out tremendously too after I got all the adware uninstalled.

~ Laura

[badunnin]

I don't have the google toolbar, but use Pop-Up Stopper, and never have a problem. It can be downloaded free of charge from download.com

[Ralph]

Originally posted by badunnin
I don't have the google toolbar, but use Pop-Up Stopper, and never have a problem. It can be downloaded free of charge from download.com

Ditto! I used Google's pop-up blocker with my old computer and had no end of trouble - no pop-ups, but it mucked up a bunch of other things!

FYI - I just downloaded and installed the Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, and while surfing around, noticed it comes with a pop-up blocker of its own!

[Abby]

Laura - I pm'd you.

[ChristieinMB]

HELP After reading this thread I loaded the Google toolbar, no more popups but my computer is very slooooow. Any help with this?
Should I just delete it?
Christie