They just keep popping up

I've got a problem with pop-ups. Last week I started getting pop-ups. I have AVG anti virus and adware, and after looking back through a few posts on here I also downloaded Spybot.

They identify some problems and remove them, but when I restart the little buggers start popping up again. I have the latest updates in these programs.

Is there some hidden file that is restarting the spyware installation? Do I need better spyware protection? If so what? Can I identify and remove them manually?

Any advice welcome as I'm getting seriously hacked off with it.

Thanks Keith

There is no quick solution to thse problems I'm afraid.

Go to http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/programs.php and download "Hijackthis". This will give a lot of info about what is on your machine - browser helper objects (BHOs), various startup apps etc.
Once you have that list, register on the forum there and post your hijack this log and there are loads of people who know a lot about this sort of problem - they will tell you what to delete.
I'd strongly advise that you don't just delete things because you think they look dubious.

[G]

I have norton on my home computer and although it makes my computer run like ****, i never get any viruses or pop ups.

[Spiderman]

AVG is good but limited tbh. i used to use it too. I now use Antivir as that is also free and seems much better than AVG ever was.

Saying that i also use Opera as my browser which can be set to only allow pop ups that you clicked for and no others. Its a great browser and i actualy forget what pop ups are ...until i use a freinds comp who doesnt use Opera that is, lol.

Last 2 places i worked i got everyone to install Opera as their browser too and cos its so easy to use no one batted an eyelid and got on with it.

HTH

I used to have problems with unwanted pop-ups etc, sometimes they can be caused by not clearing 'cookies'.
And, for anyone who may be interested I use Advanced Windows Care Personal found here http://downloads.zdnet.com/download....41&tag=nl.e550
This keeps system registry running ok, and also removed unwanted cookies and temporary files not normally removed by Windows. I thought my laptop was broke 'til I installed this - now it runs at full speed like it did when new.

Nothing wrong with AVG either.

Something I also found when doing ad-aware etc scans was that the odd thing would not be picked up, as if the spyware process somehow 'hid' itself. Whenever this has happened, I have re-booted the PC into safe mode, run the scan again and it has picked up the offending nasty bit and removed it.

HTH

Originally Posted by Spiderman

AVG is good but limited tbh. i used to use it too. I now use Antivir as that is also free and seems much better than AVG ever was.

Saying that i also use Opera as my browser which can be set to only allow pop ups that you clicked for and no others. Its a great browser and i actualy forget what pop ups are ...until i use a freinds comp who doesnt use Opera that is, lol.

Last 2 places i worked i got everyone to install Opera as their browser too and cos its so easy to use no one batted an eyelid and got on with it.

HTH

but no protection against adware in that one?

Originally Posted by El Saxo

Something I also found when doing ad-aware etc scans was that the odd thing would not be picked up, as if the spyware process somehow 'hid' itself. Whenever this has happened, I have re-booted the PC into safe mode, run the scan again and it has picked up the offending nasty bit and removed it.

HTH

Thanks - That seems to be the problem - something is ducking the scan in normal mode - I'll try a scan in safe mode.

Cheers Keith

IE7 and Firefox also have pop-up blockers "built-in". May stop the pop-ups, but they certainly won't remove any spyware. I use Adaware and AVG. There's also SpyDoctor which I've heard is very good (but not tried it), and SpyBot. Oh and Ewido (which now part of Grisoft who do AVG).

[Spiderman]

Originally Posted by Well Oiled

but no protection against adware in that one?

Sorry not sure if i understand the question mate?

i do also have Spybot S&D as well as Adaware but to be honest i only ever run those if i have something that the others cant detect and the last time i ran them was probably well over 6 months ago.