:( I'm a new member and have joined out of hope and desperation. For some reason, I keep getting pop up ads that seem to be Internet Explorer related - and they are coming up even when I'm offline. One (the worst) is http://dnaads.com - but several others have made an appearance. Sometimes, this happens with such frequency that it's like my computer has the hiccups. I have to stop whatever I'm doing, X it out, wait for a message box that tells me that the webpage I've asked for unavailable while offline, X that out and hope I have some peace before it happens again.
I didn't ask for a webpage.
I just want to write and do my "computer thing" without interruptions.
I'm totally stumped and am fairly inexperienced in fixing these kinds of things.
Please, does anyone know what I can do to get rid of this problem?
I'd appreciate any advice. Thank you!

You've got some spyware on your PC. There are a number of tools out there to help get rid of these tools. Take a look at my signature and use the links there to download AdAware, Spybot: S&D and Microsoft AntiSpyware.

Some other experts also recommend Spyware Blaster which can be found at
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html .

These programs run best in Safe Mode so I recommend running them in that. To get into safe mode:

• Reboot your PC
• While the PC is rebooting, hold down F8
• You should be given a screen offering you several choices on how to load Windows. One will be "safe mode". Choose this.
• Windows will now load in safe mode (which means that it loads up with just a minimum of processes running). Run the programs as normal.
• After it's done just restart the PC as normal.

Hi,
Welcome to this site, and I hope my suggestions will help you. LT has already given some, and some of these will be a repeat, but in step-by-step instructions. You have Spyware, and if you are not running Spyware programs, you really, really need to do the folowing:

If you think you already have Spyware/Advertising Ware in your computer, run these as follows:

AdAware at:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Download: AdAware_SE V 1.06

CWShredder at:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
(CWShredder is intended only for removal of CoolWebSearch files; placed as spyware on the harddrive). It is not a "stand alone" scan, but needs to be run. Download the free version by clicking on "Download stand alone version of CW Shredder".

Both of the above programs run better and much faster when run in SafeMode.

To get into SafeMode:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter

It's best to run the AdAware scan first; 3 times; then re-boot.
Then, run the AdAware scan again 3 times. Then, run CWShredder.
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.

If you wish to have a great program, after you clean out Spyware/Advertising Ware:
This program stops this stuff from getting into the computer in the first place, by placing URL's in the browser, stopping them instantly. One of the Very Best free programs anyone can download!

SpyWare Blaster 3.4

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Free online scan at:
http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/

These pop-ups will NOT go away until you run some of the above, or similar programs. You can safely delete anything they find after scanning.

It is amazing to come back to this site the very next day and get actual solutions. Thank you both so very much!
Now, being the total newbie that I am - I've never run my PC in safe mode. It seems clear how to do that (thanks again) however, to get these ad erase programs must I download them into my computer when it's in safe mode too? Or, if I'm getting this correctly - I am to download the ad-erase programs from the internet - reboot into safe mode - then do the hokie pokie, as in run 3 x's, close, reboot into safe mode, run 3 x's, close again - and then reboot normal and I'll be cured. (but doctor, will I play the violin again?)
I'm hoping these programs are freeware or reasonable. I had downloaded a "noadware" program and not only does in not work but I seem to have gotten MORE ads since I got it. :mad: Hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys in this here town - - - can't see y'er hats, I reckon.
Again, Many thanks ;)
PS. If it makes a difference, I have to dial in to internet and do not have a dedicated line.

Hi,
I also have the old phone line dialup, just one phone line... great isn't it? I am being sarcastic... wish cable would come to my area!
All the suggested programs would be downloaded and installl in regular mode, not SafeMode.
Just dial up, go to the website, then click on the download link, then tell it to download somewhere you can find it.; such as c:/downloads, etc.
After downloading quits, find the file you downloaded, will be named something like sypwareblaster.exe. They all have the .exe on them.
Left double-click on the file to open it, and just follow the installation instructions. Let it put an icon on your desktop, so it's easy to find.
NONE of these programs contain any Spyware or Advertising ware!
They are all FREE and work great. I use them myself.

Thanks fredg -
You've been so clear with your instructions and so helpful. I truly appreciate it and I'll tell you when I'm done (tomorrow or next day) how it works out. It's always nice to know how a problem you've helped solve has worked.
Very Best to you! WnTonie ;)

Hi -
Well, I've tried what was suggested for getting rid of whatever I've got. Still no luck. Now I feel like I'm going to the Doctor asking for a more powerful antibiotic. :confused:
I might have done something wrong - but the 2 responses I got from LTheobald and Fredg were clear and informative. Maybe I'm leaving something out. I've still got the "http://dnaads.com" message coming up - even when I'm off line - and an invitation to some kind of Poker Game site too. And I don't know if this is related to the Poker site or not - but I get a flash window that makes everything stop and tell me something about "pokapoka79.exe".. .
Now, I've thought that anything with an .exe should be left alone as it makes something in your computer work - but this seems to be something else.
Yes, Fredg - I did what you told me and took my time and ran that program 3 times, rebooted, ran it three times, rebooted, etc. --- it took 88 nasties out of my system - which I thank you for! But it looks like I either have something more tenacious or different or possibly need a new computer or a new brain. :D (quite Likely - on the brain thing... )
I'm going to scan the other messages (threads?) and see if I can find anything that seems familiar. I DO get fewer of the annoying messages but I get lots and lots of sounds like blips, and they go on and on. It effects whatever I'm doing and has even shut down my server (made it "not responding") - BUT I'm not giving up.
Tomorrow I might have time to go over the whole thing again and see if that works. I actually do "get it", that there's no actual logic involved - and that maybe I just need to do the clean up again and reboot 5 or 6 times before it's all cleared up.
Anyhow, that's my update - to both Fredg and LTheobald. Your gracious help is very much appreciated.
I'm going to keep trying. Thanks again ! WnTonie

This is a link to a removal tool for pokapoka (spyware) I found on the web called LQfix:

Users.pandora.be/bluepatchy/miekiemoes/tools/LQfix.exe

Always backup your data before running any unfamiliar software. If there are any problems, at least you will have your documents.

Good Luck