posted
Over the last few days, I have been getting a lot of pop-up ads while here on the BB. These things come in almost faster than I can "x" them out. This has never happened before, and I am wondering if Sobig and/or Blaster has or had anything to do with it. Virus scan shows no infection. Anti-virus is up to date.
I don't have any anti-spam program running. Most if not all of these ads seem to have a Microsoft-something heading.
What I don't understand is "why now?" Have always had privacy/security settings set fairly high---to the point that even attachments to files get kicked out.
Anyone?
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
There is a possibility some of these messages may be related to a new BB feature called Instant Messenger or IM for short. It allows those currently logged into the BB to send notes to each other. Depending on who you are, this might be considered cool or downright annoying. IM has an option that allows you to choose to not recieve these IMs.
I don't think this is your problem Bill. Mark has probally got the correct answer. Many free programs contain code known as spyware. These uninvited guests cause banners and other ads to popup on your screen.
My son recently had the same thing happening. I use a program similar to Spybot called Adaware. When my kid downloaded and ran the program, he was amazed to find 90 some spyware programs on his computer. After removing them, his popup problem went away.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
posted
Thanx for the replies. I don't think IM has anything to do with this--in fact I think it is my own fault in that I downloaded a freebie screensaver a few days ago, and I think their privacy policy did say they share info with whoever.
(Yes, the screensaver was "tootsies in bikinis"---might as well admit it---everyone suspects it anyway. At my age and state of decrepitude, it's about all I have left, so leave me alone.)
Mark---if I download this proggy you referred to, where in the computer should I save it? There seems to be a lot of choices.
Also, FWIW, the problems don't end there. My wife's computer is networked to mine, and she seems to have lost one of her e-mail accesses in the last day or two. Her privacy/security settings have always been set lower than mine.
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I too have my doubts about the "IM" facility here.
I was on chat the other day when suddenly I received the three elements of the MSVXD.EXE virus. This a network virus. Fortunately Norton caught and eliminated all three.
That day, I had only visited the Bullboard and Chat was the only window open at the time, the virus had to have come thru there. IM
I too downloaded www.spybot.eon.net.au that day. I found 20 bots!!!!! I now run the 30 second program after every internet session. You soon get to know what sites have them
I took Mark's advice and downloaded the program he recommended, placed it in c:\program files---I guess as an independent deal. Sent it looking for problems--or "bots"---found 43 of the things. Cleaned all of them off (I think) now wait and see what else I messed up by doing this.
Had enabled the firewall a while back, and have also set privacy/security settings even higher than before.
This should be "verrrrrrrrrrrrry interesting" in my best Artie Johnson voice.
-------------------- Bill Preston Fly Creek, N.Y. USA Posts: 943 | From: Fly Creek, N.Y. USA | Registered: Jan 2000
| IP: Logged |
found 59 problems on my machine, I am hoping the the firewall was preventing them from getting back to their owners, But you never know.
This program was well worth the price
I recommend it to everyone
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Sometimes there are programs running in the background that you can see by opening Task Manager and clicking on the "Processes" tab- it shows all .exe files running on your computer. I just went down the list and did a google search on all of the funny ones, and I found one ad program running that was bringing up some really scantily-clad websites...(I know some of you are thinking "where's the problem?"). After checking your task manager you will start to see files pop up that shouldn't be there....
That is also how I found the msblaster file before I could find on the Internet what was happening. If you end task the file then delete it from your registry and hard drive you whould be OK.
-------------------- Steve Burke Cascades Inc NS Canada
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving isn't for you Posts: 359 | From: NS Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic