Pop-ups with no internet browser on?

Question

Ok, so I keep getting all these pop-ups when I don't even have an internet browser running. Not even messenger or anything, and it just pops up!

Plus, my pop-up blocker is on.

Any advice? Would REALLY appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

:)

Answer 1

Follow the instruction on the link below to clean your computer

10 easy step virus and spyware removal using free software

http://www.review-ninja.com/2008/08/10-e...

your infected

Answer 2

Your machine is infected. Pop-ups are mostly caused by adware, spyware, and other malicious and unwanted software and using pop-up blocker won't help an infected PC. No single anti-spyware application is perfect so I recommend using at least 2 different programs. Spybot Search & Destroy is one of the best. I also recommend SUPERAntiSpyware. Other free anti-spyware programs would be Adaware, AVG Anti-spyware (formally Ewido), A-squared, Spyware Terminator and SpywareBlaster.

Running these programs in Safe Mode (tap F8 as the computer boots up and choose to boot to safe mode) can be more effective.

If you do not have an updated anti-virus program always running, you need to get one. Install only one, but you can get AVG, Avast! or AntiVir for free.

I strongly recommend using FireFox, it's a far better and safer alternative to Internet Explorer. If you add-on McAfee SiteAdvisor, it will warn you of potentially harmful sites. I also recommend CCleaner which is a free system optimization and privacy tool.  

Answer 3

you have spyware, adware or other malicious software on your computer

use a good anti virus

AVG free version

http://free.avg.com

and/or (some say not to have two anti viruses installed but i have these two and have no problems)

Avast

http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-...

allow them to scan and remove anything found

hope this helps

Answer 4

Kudos again Sam. Yet again some really solid advice. Here's My spin on things for the generally under informed.

OK this is a cut and paste answer. I'm not doing this for points. Rather to provide good solid answers to one of the most often asked questions.

Lets face it. You usually get what you pay for.There are some rather fine Freeware utilities out there but none of them are as strong as the ones you pay for. Of the pay ones Norton / Symantec is almost as big a joke as McAffee.Which is just marginally better than the c**p that microsoft packs with windows. Google the anti virus certifying bodies that rate these companies. Use what the pros use.There are a couple of good Free online scans to verify the presence of an intrusion. Trend micro Housecall and Kaspersky. Housecall will also remove malware while Kaspersky offers a Free 30day FULL VERSION trial. The proper way to remove malware is to turn off your system restore. (malware hides a copy of itself there quite often) Then re boot into safe mode. (keep pressing f8 when you power up and select safe mode) Then run your anti virus / anti spyware-trojan utilities. Then re-boot with your internet connection disabled and re-run your scans. then turn your restore back on and set a new restore point. Good luck and best wishes.

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

http://usa.kaspersky.com/trials/home-use...

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/ind...

http://www.eset.com/smartsecurity/

http://www.eset.com/download/

http://www.consumercompare.org/internet_...

And finally. Here is a review by PC Authority magazine of 47 products rated by price, performance,ease of use, etc.

http://www.pcauthority.com.au/Search/Def...

Answer 5

It certainly sounds like you have been infected with some kind of malware. Unfortunately, if you find one infection, it is highly likely you have another one. A virus, trojan or worm are all different types of infections/malware and there are some great FREE programs that can help you.

First, clean up (delete) your cookies, temp files and temporary internet files. I prefer to use Ccleaner (available at www.filehippo.com) to do this, rather than the built-in DISK CLEANUP, as I feel it does a much more thorough job - for example, it will clean out the index files on your next reboot.

If you want to use Disk Cleanup, you can find it if you:

- Double-Click on My Computer to open it up

- RIGHT-click on your C: drive

- Choose PROPERTIES and then click on the DISK CLEANUP button

- When done, reboot your computer.

Delete these files daily or run Ccleaner every day right before you shut your computer down.

2 - You should also have a good anti-virus program to help protect your computer. AVG FREE is an excellent anti-virus program, which can be downloaded from www.download.com. You might also choose Avast or Avira, both also free programs from www.download.com.

3 -Since NONE of the anti-spyware/anti-adware programs are 100% accurate in finding and removing spyware, you need at least two programs which you will run one after the other, not at the same time.

There are three excellent free ones:

--Spybot, Search and Destroy

--Ad-Aware

--Spyware Blaster

All are available FREE from www.download.com

You will need to download, install, update (and IMMUNIZE in Spybot) and run them, one at a time. Be careful with the NAME of these programs - there are "look-alikes" with very similar names, that are in fact spyware themselves! Reboot after you install each one!

After this current infection is cleared up, be sure to run both of the above programs at least once a week if you are on the internet frequently and/or like to download music or files.

NOTE: Some infections prevent your from downloading the above programs. You may have to use a clean computer to download the programs and copy them to a thumb drive or CD. Then transfer the install files to the infected computer and run.

--Occasionally you will not be able to run these programs without being in SAFE MODE. To get there, reboot your computer and tap the F8 key, repeatedly until a menu comes up. You want to choose SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING.

4 -You should also have a good firewall to help protect your computer. Zone Alarm makes a totally free version (watch you don't download the 30-day free trial of the paid version). You can download this from the manufacturer at www.zonelabs.com