re: can't stop pop-ups
Friday, March 19, 2004 at 5:46 am
Windows XP Annoyances Discussion Forum
Posted by james
(384 messages posted)
Apologies for the long answer. I am overloaded with similar problems with boxes
at work/friends/home being badly infested with spyware/malware. Loads of obnoxious
popups. System lockups. Totally useless "toolbars" (if they can be called that).
Lately I have been using my simple 2 step cocktail of "Spy Sweeper" and innoculating
via the "HOST" file outlined in a link below. I also use Adaware and Spybot as well.
There is no magic bullet yet against spyware. Download Spy Sweeper for www.webroot.com
(I use Adaware and Spybot at times too). I hate to tell you this, but sometimes
removing spyware/malware can be in some cases a non-linear process, going beyond
my simple 2 step "cocktail". To help block future spyware/malware at a link below
there is an excellent technique for modifying and locking the "HOSTS" file to send
spyware sites you encounter down a black hole via an unknown IP address. There is
also a link below to the Google Toolbar is good for popup supression. In prevention
overall, think of 4 "layers". 1.) Firewall (working!) 2.) Anti-spyware software
3.) Innoculate your XP "HOST" file. 4.) XP Security Patches. Anti-virus software
does not protect you against most spyware. Beware that "key loggers" in some spyware
can send your credit card numbers/personal info from "secure" webpages to 3rd party
servers. Press control-alt-del and look at the "Processes" tab for suspiciously
titled exe files. One detection technique is to examine the directory C:\Window\System32.
Sort the directory from latest date backwards. Look for recently installed DLL
files, which may tip you off to spyware installs as well. Check the thread at annoyances.org
below which is also informative. Rule of thumb is that a hardware firewall like
those built into current DSL/Cable routers are superior to software firewalls like
ZA and BlackICE. Any disagree with that assertion? Write back with your results.
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
http://www.webroot.com/wb/downloads/index.php
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/n1077908634
http://lavasoft.element5.com/support/download
http://beam.to/spybotsd
http://toolbar.google.com
- Written in response to:
- can't stop pop-ups (Bill Jensen: Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 6:01 pm)
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