When I log onto AOL, I am getting poppups continually.
Internet Explorer keeps coming up and I am getting others
and I am wondering if there is a fix or a Web page to
browse through for answers. Am tired of trying to look up
something or try to read while on-line and trying to deal
with these problems. I have tried AOL pop up blockers and
does not seem to fix this problem.Thanks for your time
and help. I have seen ads for downloading products that
will fix the problem but am not sure if this is a good
idea or what exactly to look for. Thanks again.
Michael
Michael,
There are at least three varieties of pop-ups, and the solutions vary
accordingly. Which specific type(s) are you seeing?
I. "Messenger Service" Pop-Ups
This will be a text only message, and will only hit you when you're online. A
Messenger Service pop-up can't contain a clickable link. The window will be
titled "Messenger Service".
This type of spam has become quite common over the past year or so, and
unintentionally serves as a valid security alert. It demonstrates that you
haven't been taking sufficient precautions while connected to the Internet.
Your data probably hasn't been compromised by these specific advertisements, but
if you're open to this exploit, you most definitely open to other threats, such
as the Blaster Worm that still haunts the Internet. Install and use a decent,
properly configured firewall.
Messenger Service of Windows
<
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893>
Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement
Appears
<
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904>
Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
<
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp>
If you're using AOL, you'll either need to find a 3rd party firewall that is
compatible with AOL, or switch to a real ISP that is compatible with the real
Internet. This is because AOL is an on-line content provider that ignores
international networking standards in favor of its own proprietary products, and
has deliberately made its connection software incompatible with both WinXP's
built-in firewall and WinXP's Internet Connection Sharing feature. AOL's
proprietary connection applet is deliberately designed to preclude your
setting/adjusting any of its properties, to include enabling/disabling WinXP's
ICF and ICS.
Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure UDP ports 135, 137, and
138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are all blocked. You may also disable
Inbound NetBIOS (NetBIOS over TCP/IP). You'll have to follow the instructions
from firewall's manufacturer for the specific steps.
You can test your firewall at:
Gibson Research <
http://grc.com/default.htm> (ShieldsUp!)
SecurityMetrics <
http://www.securitymetrics.com/portscan.adp>
Sygate Security Scan <
http://www.sygatetech.com/>
Symantec Security Check <
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vr_main.asp>
Be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing more than disable the
messenger service. Disabling the messenger service, by itself, is a "head in
the sand" approach to computer security. The real problem is not the messenger
service pop-ups; they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by
acting as a security alert.
II. Regular Browser Based Pop-Ups
This will be an HTML message, and will only hit you when you're online. A
browser based popup will probably contain clickable links. The window title
will vary.
Get the free Google Toolbar from <
http://toolbar.google.com/>. Hosts file
blocking works on this problem also.
Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
<
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm>
III. Adware / Spyware
This will be an HTML message, and can hit you when you're online, or offline.
An adware based popup will probably contain clickable links. The window title
will vary.
This is where you need a thorough adware / spyware scan, including CWShredder,
AdAware, Spybot S&D, and HijackThis, with expert advice to interpret the
HijackThis log.
Start by downloading each of the following free tools:
AdAware <
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/>
CWShredder <
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearch (v1/v2) MiniRemoval
<
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4113.html>
HijackThis <
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>
LSP-Fix and WinsockLSPFix <
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>
Spybot S&D <
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>
Stinger <
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>
Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. AdAware and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them.
The other downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any convenient
folder.
First, run Stinger. Have it remove any problems found.
Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and run
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearchMiniRemoval, then CWShredder. Have the latter fix all
problems found.
Next, run AdAware. First update it ("Check for updates now"), configure for
full scan (<
http://www.lavahelp.com/howto/fullscan/>), then scan ("Start" - "Use
custom scanning options" - "Next"). When scanning finishes, select everything,
and hit Next again.
Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a scan
("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix Problems")
that is displayed in Red.
Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
<
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>
Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following security forums (and post a link to your forum posts, here):
Aumha: <
http://forum.aumha.org/index.php>
Net-Integration: <
http://forums.net-integration.net/>
Spyware Info: <
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
Spyware Warrior: <
http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
Tom Coyote: <
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>
If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.
IV. Future Protection
Finally, improve your chances for the future.
Harden your browser. There are various websites which will check for
vulnerabilities, here are three which I use.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/
Block Internet Explorer ActiveX scripting from hostile websites (Restricted
Zone).
<
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main.htm> (IE-SpyAd)
Block known dangerous scripts from installing.
<
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html>
Block known spyware from installing.
<
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html>
Make sure that the spyware detection / protection products that you use are
reliable:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Harden your operating system. Check at least monthly for security updates.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. Three Hosts file sources I
use:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(The third is included, and updated, with Spybot (see above)).
Maintain your Hosts file (merge / eliminate duplicate entries) with:
eDexter <
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html>
Hostess <
http://accs-net.com/hostess/>
Secure your operating system, and applications. Don't use, or leave activated,
any accounts with names or passwords with trivial (guessable) values. Don't use
an account with administrative authority, except when you're intentionally doing
administrative tasks.
Use common sense. Yours. Don't install software based upon advice from unknown
sources. Don't install free software, without researching it carefully. Don't
open email unless you know who it's from, and how and why it was sent.
Educate yourself. Know what the risks are. Stay informed. Read Usenet, and
various web pages that discuss security problems. Check the logs from the other
layers regularly, look for things that don't belong, and take action when
necessary.
And Michael, please don't contribute to the spread and success of email address
mining viruses. Posting your email address openly will get you more unwanted
email, than wanted email, including some that may cause you further popups,
spyware, and virus problems. Learn to munge your email address properly, to
keep yourself a bit safer when posting to open forums. Protect yourself and the
rest of the internet - read this article.
http://www.mailmsg.com/SPAM_munging.htm
Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
