When I try to open something in a program. I will click once, it will show the hour glass next to the cursor, then a picture of a red fist appears. When that happens it won't let me load the page. It stops. Does anyone know what program would cause this red fist? And how can I get rid of it? I have looked through with spybot and adware and updated windows and norton, but still I have this. I can't work with it. Someone please help!!

I believe that is Earthlink's pop-up blocker...

Yes, it is Earthlinks built in popup blocker. To temporarily disable the blocker and open a link/site, simply hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard and click on the link you are trying to open. Hold the CTRL key down until the link opens the window up fully, and then you may release the CTRL key at that point.

CTRL key is the standard overide key for most popup blockers.

Cremedies is right that this is Earthlink's pop-up blocker. I have Earthlink & had to disable the blocker-didn't like the blocker. Have another program that came free with my new modem. It's called AdSubract-great program. Blocks what you select it to block. Easy to configure also for a novice like myself. Can read more about it at: adsubtract.com

Hi,
It's Spyware/Advertising ware programs.
Here are steps to get rid of it:

If you have the following programs; run them as below.
Spyware/Advertising ware removal

http://www.security-related.com/download2.htm
Download: SpyBot Search & Destroy; 1.3

AdAware at:
www.lavasoftusa.com
Download: AdAware_SE

Both the above programs run better and much faster when run in SafeMode.
It's best to run the AdAware scan first; 3 times; then re-boot.
Then, run the AdAware scan again 3 times; then run the SpyBot.
Re- Boot.
Reason for running so many times:
Some of these trojans' files can be deleted the first time; leaving some others; but on re-boot, they re-write the files that were deleted.
Running multiple times deletes most of it the first time.
Also, if you notice the little green computer lights that show your dial-up connection to the internet staying on when they shouldn't be, located on the bottom right of the system tray, disconnect immediately and run AdAware. These lights staying on means that some URL is sending or receiving spyware/advertising ware to or from your computer, most of the time.

Please run AdAware as described above.
If any problems, please post back.
Merry Christmas,
fredg

Thanks for the info. It was driving me nuts as I thought I had disabled my Earthlink bar. I've been looking all over for this and you people came to my rescue. Merry Christmas.

HmS :)

I have followed your instructions to a tee - but I still see the red fist and I can't get into 2 separate programs?? Please help me!!

DebiGirl,

The red fist was part of my Earthlink blocker. Scroll down about 3 or so replies and you will see mention of Earthlink's 'red fist'. I disabled it and do not get any red fist anymore. Neat note: my question was in 2004 and it took three years for the next post.

Hope you get it disabled as it is a pain many times.

HmS

Thank you HmS for responding to my question - but, I don't have Earthlink - so I did what the other post said - and it still doesn't work??
I say I don't have Earthlink - I REALLY don't know what I have - I'm using my computer at work (State Government):D!
If you can think of anything else I would be most appreciative - this red fist is annoying! How can I tell if I have Earthlink? Thanks for your time and effort!
DebiGirl

One way is to look at the "header" of an email and see if earthlink is involved anyplace.

Being State Gov, I doubt it IS a direct Earthlink domain. If it was, it would have an email address for you like [email protected] which is rather obvious.

My next guess is that the browser you use has a pop-up blocker that operates much like, or the same as, Earthlinks pop-up blocker. That would show on the very top of the browser and possibly under TOOLS. I use IExplorer 7 and TOOLS has a sub menu for enabling or disabling the pop-up blocker.

See if any of that works.

Hank
PA near Gettysburg

Two other things I just thought of. The bit in this thread about holding the CTRL key as you click on one of the links that gave you the red fist :( is sometihing to try. If that works and the red fist doesn't pop up, then we'll know it is someone's pop-up blocker and then figure out how to turn it off.

2) Go to VIEW-TOOLBARS and see if any toolbars are not checked. Just to see what they have, click on them (remember which ones) to see what options they offer. Then if they are not something you want, go back an uncheck them again.

That will hopefully give you a start.

HmS:p

I did a search on "red fist popup". It looks like it belongs to Earthlink. Which is an ISP. Seems your government system is using Earthlink?

Take a look at this link.

Thanks Hank!
Yes Sir, I did the tools, pop-up turn off thing - still got the red fist - I'm at my wit's end! And you're right - I don't have earthlink. Keep me in mind if you find anything else that might do the fist in!
Debi

Did you try holding the CTRL key as you click to see if that by-passes it?

Hank :cool:

Thanks Hank!!
You better be glad you are not here...
I would have to kiss you to death - I have been bothered with this red fist thing for months - I just happened to stumble on this web site - and thought that the easy thing couldn't help me - so I did all the other stuff - but - you're right - that little CTRL key did the trick - thanks for steering me back to the basic's!
XXOOXXOOXXOO! (I hope that means hugs and kisses!)
Debi

YEAAAAA! That takes care of at least that part of the problem. :) Now to figure out just whose pop-up is working unless the CTRL key takes care of it.

HmS

The CTRL key does take care of the problem - but if you ever find out how to get rid of the dreaded red fist without holding down the key - please let me know!
Debi

It is Earthlink Tool Bar pop up blocker. Delete this toolbar through "Control Panel" add remove programs. Get rid of Earthlink Toolbar and your problem is solved.:D