Pop up's not pop up's!!

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bill
  • Start date Start date
B

Bill

I have started to get random windows appearing. For example Outlook Express
just starts in its own. Also I have had the folder/file search window
appear.

This is on W2K. I can't associate with anything I am doing.

I keep AVG personal up to date and run Sygate Firewall and am also behind a
3Com Firewall ADSL Router.

Any idea what might be causing these random pop ups?
 
In
Bill said:
I have started to get random windows appearing. For example Outlook
Express just starts in its own. Also I have had the folder/file
search window appear.

This is on W2K. I can't associate with anything I am doing.

I keep AVG personal up to date and run Sygate Firewall and am also
behind a 3Com Firewall ADSL Router.

Any idea what might be causing these random pop ups?
Click to expand...





http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html - Download Hijackthis. Put
it in a new folder named "Hijackthis". Put the folder on c drive. This is
important for proper logging of info when you get hijacked. Do not use this
program unless you completely know what you are doing. FREE


http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html - download and install :
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard FREE
http://customblockinglist.cjb.net/ - Spyware Blaster Custom Blocking List
Free!



http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download - Download and
install Spybot - Search & Destroy FREE


http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html - CWShredder . Download
the standalone version. FREE

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ - Download the free version of
Adaware and install. Or pay for the advanced version if you want. FREE

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx -
Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) FREE

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php - If you don't have an antivirus
program and don't want to pay for one then get AVG . It is free and good.
FREE
http://www.free-av.com/ - another antivirus FREE

http://www.ccleaner.com/ - Crap Cleaner. Windows system cleaner like Window
Washer FREE

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm - IE-SPYAD (IE Restricted
zone list) Free!



If you dont have an antivirus you can do free scans at
Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://housecall.antivirus.com

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Panda ActiveScan - Free online scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Computer Associates:
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

DialogueScience:
http://www.antivir.ru/english/www_av/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Freedom Online scanner
http://www.freedom.net/viruscenter/index.html

I recommend you or anyone else who has a problem with hijackers go here
http://help.lockergnome.com/ .Register. You will then be able to post. By
post I mean post a HIJACKTHIS log. After you register click on "PROBLEM
SOLVERS" forums. Then click on "HIJACKTHIS LOGS". Post your problem in the
HIJACKTHIS FORUM. An expert will get to you within a few days to guide you
to a clean machine :)


All the downloaded programs need updating regularly.




Lew/+Silat
 
Bill said:
I have started to get random windows appearing. For example Outlook Express
just starts in its own. Also I have had the folder/file search window
appear.

This is on W2K. I can't associate with anything I am doing.

I keep AVG personal up to date and run Sygate Firewall and am also behind a
3Com Firewall ADSL Router.

Any idea what might be causing these random pop ups?
Click to expand...
Personally, I'd start from scratch. Back up all your valuable data files
onto CD or memory stick, re-format the HDD, and re-install W2K onto it from
system disk. You'll have to re-configure your router, re-install all drivers
for graphics, sound, network card etc. Reinstall AVS and all other regularly
used CDRom software programs. It's quite a bit of work, but ultimately worth
it. Once everything is re-installed, make a 'System Restore' point, and note
the date. At this stage back up your whole system including registry onto CD
or DVD. This will be clean, and another means of restoring your computer
that you can always use if your System Restore point ever becomes corrupted.
You won't need to re-install again, since at worst you can always restore to
this point if everything goes pear shaped in future.You don't need both
software firewall and hardware firewall on router. The latter one is good
enough.

Stay away from dodgy emails and attachments and dubious websites, otherwise
you'll develop trouble again.
 
Lew/+Silat said:
In






http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html - Download Hijackthis. Put
it in a new folder named "Hijackthis". Put the folder on c drive. This is
important for proper logging of info when you get hijacked. Do not use this
program unless you completely know what you are doing. FREE


http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/downloads.html - download and install :
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard FREE
http://customblockinglist.cjb.net/ - Spyware Blaster Custom Blocking List
Free!



http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download - Download and
install Spybot - Search & Destroy FREE


http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html - CWShredder . Download
the standalone version. FREE

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ - Download the free version of
Adaware and install. Or pay for the advanced version if you want. FREE

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx -
Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) FREE

http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php - If you don't have an antivirus
program and don't want to pay for one then get AVG . It is free and good.
FREE
http://www.free-av.com/ - another antivirus FREE

http://www.ccleaner.com/ - Crap Cleaner. Windows system cleaner like Window
Washer FREE

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm - IE-SPYAD (IE Restricted
zone list) Free!



If you dont have an antivirus you can do free scans at
Trend Micro - Free online virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://housecall.antivirus.com

McAfee Security - FreeScan
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

Panda ActiveScan - Free online scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Computer Associates:
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

DialogueScience:
http://www.antivir.ru/english/www_av/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

BitDefender
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Freedom Online scanner
http://www.freedom.net/viruscenter/index.html

I recommend you or anyone else who has a problem with hijackers go here
http://help.lockergnome.com/ .Register. You will then be able to post. By
post I mean post a HIJACKTHIS log. After you register click on "PROBLEM
SOLVERS" forums. Then click on "HIJACKTHIS LOGS". Post your problem in the
HIJACKTHIS FORUM. An expert will get to you within a few days to guide you
to a clean machine :)


All the downloaded programs need updating regularly.




Lew/+Silat
Click to expand...


As well as all of this I really would recommend not using IE and/or
Outlook Express. Try using Mozilla Firefox and Mozilla Thunderbird.

Both are extremely easy to use and are much more resilient to spyware,
adware, viruses etc.

That's my $0.02

Cheers

Troy
 
Personally, I'd start from scratch. Back up all your valuable data files
onto CD or memory stick, re-format the HDD, and re-install W2K onto it from
system disk. You'll have to re-configure your router, re-install all drivers
for graphics, sound, network card etc. Reinstall AVS and all other regularly
used CDRom software programs. It's quite a bit of work, but ultimately worth
it. Once everything is re-installed, make a 'System Restore' point, and note
the date. At this stage back up your whole system including registry onto CD
or DVD. This will be clean, and another means of restoring your computer
that you can always use if your System Restore point ever becomes corrupted.
You won't need to re-install again, since at worst you can always restore to
this point if everything goes pear shaped in future.You don't need both
software firewall and hardware firewall on router. The latter one is good
enough.

Stay away from dodgy emails and attachments and dubious websites, otherwise
you'll develop trouble again.
Click to expand...

Reformat / Reinstall seems a bit OTT?
"You don't need both software firewall and hardware firewall on router. The latter one is good
enough."
Click to expand...

Er don't think so its exactly the same spec as my ETEC & Netgear
Routers. The built in firewall only checks incoming data not outgoing,
you need a reasonable software firewall to guard against apps
contacting the internet like inadvertently installed adware
downloading pop-ups fer instance.

8-)

Jonah
 
Jonah,

Thanks for you input. I agree that the whole scenario is way OTT and as your
firewall comment has indicated not based on sound knowledge either.

There was no mention of a thourough virus scan, trying online scanners etc,
or even if the behaviour could possibly be something other than a virus.

Needless to say I did not follow the suggestion. I have carried out three
virus scans, including my own AVG, SpyBot, AdAware, the latter three being
things I use anyway and nothing has been found and what's more the behaviour
has stopped.

For the time being i am putting in down to one of those things!

Regards.
Roger.
 
Jonah,

Thanks for you input. I agree that the whole scenario is way OTT and as your
firewall comment has indicated not based on sound knowledge either.

There was no mention of a thourough virus scan, trying online scanners etc,
or even if the behaviour could possibly be something other than a virus.

Needless to say I did not follow the suggestion. I have carried out three
virus scans, including my own AVG, SpyBot, AdAware, the latter three being
things I use anyway and nothing has been found and what's more the behaviour
has stopped.

For the time being i am putting in down to one of those things!

Regards.
Roger.
Click to expand...
Have you had a go with Microsoft Antivirus Beta.

Tis pretty damn good yer know. Even though you have fixed your problem
its well worth installing, protects against hijacks, adware, spyware
etc and updates / scans daily.

The other one I picked up from this NG is Trojan Hunter. OK I paid for
it but it is a dedicated trojan guard with a very thourough scanner
and a context menu scanner. Adaware & Spybot are good but kind of
after the fact fixers wheras Trojan Hunter and MS Antspyware offer
real time protection suplementing AV & Firewalls.

Sound paranoid don't I, wheres me pills

8-)

Jonah
 
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