[swhy]

Every time I gain access to the internet (dialup) , 4 websites appear in my favorites folder. I've never accessed those websites but they appear every time I gain access to the web!
Any ideas how I can prevent that from happening?

Thanks for your help!!

[fredg]

Hi,
This is called Spyware/Advertising Ware; sent to your computer by other sites you visit.
Here are things I do to protect my computer; and this stuff has now become the "scourge" of the web...

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

If you wish to have a great program, after you clean out Spyware/Advertising Ware:
SpyWare Blaster 3.2
Great, free, program that STOPS spyware, trojans, home page hijacks, etc, BEFORE they get into your computer. Check it out at CNET at link:

http://www.download.com/SpywareBlast...ml?tag=lst-0-2

Two Tips:
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.

Other Tip: After being on the net, if you have visited any sites you don't really trust, then run AdAware BEFORE you shut down or re-start the computer. This will delete any Spyware easier, before the computer can configure it, set it up, spread it throughout the Registry, and make it more difficult to remove after re-booting.

Merry Christmas,
fredg

[Pandrew]

I have used them both, and Spybot gives you options of blocking the sites that Ad Aware does not, only to be re-infected again.

Very useful tool is also in Tools Internet Options, Privacy and setting the cookies to 'prompt' for the primary and the third party.
You will be amazed how many invasions are riding the piggyback of your click.

Yahoo in particular is infested with the parasites, sometimes two or three in a row on the same click.
If you see #3 it is almost sure to be a highjacker.
DoubleClick, Avenue A, 2o7.net, serving-sys.com, zedo.com, centrpoprt.net, atdmt.com, ads.pointroll.com, mediaplex.com are all a sampling of the lice.

[fredg]

Hi,
Since my last post to your question, here is a great, free program that will stop this Spyware stuff from entering your computer in the first place.
I use it, and it is really good...

Here is a link:

http://www.download.com/SpywareBlast...ml?tag=lst-0-2

I gave you this link earlier; why not try it??
Best wishes,
fredg
PS; You can set it to have Internet Explorer be more secure, as another volunteer suggested.

[Wendy225]

For Spy ware protection and general help cleaning up the computer and registry, Anti Virus protection and software download websites, old and new game downloads, CD & DVD Burning help,I recommend, the following files, as I have found 1 or even 2 is not always enough, as 1 may find something the others do not, so protect yourself with several programs, if may be a pain, but a necessary one.

I have personally tested each program on this list and I had taken them from the top review sites around the net as ones already chosen as the top performers.

Remember that just any Spyware Adware program is not always good, there are literally dozens of them out, and more coming every day, but most do not do the job, and many even install their own Spy and Adware on your systems, the ones below I have personally tested and so have many other people I know, they seem to be the best for Spyware & Adware Removal

Spyware
Microsoft New SPyware program-Formerly Giant spyware, they bought it out.
Spysweeper
Spybot search and destroy
Adware SE
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
BPS Spyware
Spyhunter
Spyware Doctor
Pest Patrol

This one prevents certain Spyware that it contains in it’s data base from being installed on your system.
Spyblaster 2 http://www.download.com/3001-8022_4-10305680.html

I would suggest at the very least 3 or more of the above programs.

Registry and Fix and Repair programs
Fix it Utilities 5 this one has an excellent Scandisk, better than the one with your OS
Advanced System Optimizer
Ace Utilities
System Mechanic 5
Registry First Aid
Tuneup Utilities

Any 2 or more of these.

And download the Google toolbar with built in pop up stopper for your browser is good.

And a good solid Anti Virus Program or 2, updated weekly.
PC-Cillin
AVG Anti Virus
Bit defender
Etrust EZ Anti virus

Also free online Virus scans
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/licence.php
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/virus_help.shtml
http://www.pandasoftware.com/actives..._principal.htm
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus
http://www.thefreecountry.com/security/antivirus.shtml

I would suggest using 2 of these.

A good defragging Program or 2
Diskeeper Lite or Even better the full Pro version
Perfect Disk
O&O Defrag V4 Professional Edition 4.0.508
MST Defrag

Also run from Start/run type in chkdsk then let that run then type in chkdsk /f to help fix WinXP errors.

2 Excellent Programs to erase your tracks and where you go online.
Tracks Eraser Pro
Evidence Eliminator
CCleaner This one is free at www.ccleaner.com but the above 2 programs do a lot more thorough cleaning job than Ccleaner, but it’s good to have them all 3.

Also use the below website, that tests and reviews some of the best programs out for many

Different things, they give you side by side comparisons and rate each one in many categories.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/

If you need computer parts try this website
www.newegg.com they are the best and fastest retailer, I have ever dealt with on the net, great service, delivery and solid competitive pricing.

PC Security Checks
http://www.grc.com/

Download sites for reviews and trying out new products
http://www.Soft32.com
http://www.tucows.com
http://www.topshareware.com/
http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/2001-...ml?legacy=cnet
http://www.download.com/

An excellent program I can’t do without, it is a Windows Explorer replacement, much better
Powerdesk,

Old Games Downloads & Abandonware

http://www.the-underdogs.org/ No cost, just get a password and join for free, it’s loaded with older computer games and they rate them.

http://www.freeoldies.com/ more of an old game search engine

http://www.argosoft.com/games/dos.html strictly old Dos games

Good Peer 2 Peer file sharing Programs
These are all better and Safer than Kazaa Lite

You can find all of the above programs with these 2 programs, but If you use them then please eventually purchase them.

Also you can find some of the programs here

http://www.bi-torrent.com/43.htm
You must download & install the free file Bit torrent.exe to download files 1st.

Ares Installs 1 file that Spyware may detect, but it’s just the program file itself, so ignore it. Good solid file sharing progam.

WinMX Sometimes slower than Ares, but neither install Spyware or Adware.

Bearshare has tons of items and is fast, but it loads down your computer with Spyware, Adware and who knows what else, but for that 1 hard to find file, they may have it, but beware of all the problems.

DVD & CD Burning review, Help and Download sites
http://dvd-burning-software-reviews.com/ mainly reviews DVD software
http://www.burnworld.com/ A very thorough and complete website on burning.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/ Another huge Burning website