A little computer help please...

Flip · #1 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

So for some reason just recently, my computer is running at about half of its regular speed. And also, even when I don't have Internet Explorer on, it will randomly open up pop ups out of the blue. I'm not sure if these are related, but they both started happening at about the same time.I thought you had to actually be on the net to get pop ups, but now they come when I'm online or not. I scanned my computer and it says I don't have any viruses, and I've also got a good firewall, and haven't made any changes to the security settings on my comp recently.

I'm not sure if I should uninstal Explorer from my comp, then reinstal a new one, or if there's anything else I should be doing. Any suggestions?

Chewy · #2 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

to much porn surfing?

ebbomega · #3 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

OH NOES! YOUS HAS SPYWAREZ!

Go download Ad-aware and Spybot S&D. See google for details.

Phrenetic · #4 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

after you scan your HD go to google and get "hijack this"

you can also try getting the beta of "windows defender"

after your all clean go and get firefox, nobody uses IE.

then your golden

esoter1c · #5 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

http://www.torrentspy.com/torrent/10..._working_crack

Standard.

Phrenetic · #6 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

^that works too

Flip · #7 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

That's the weird thing. I have adaware and spybot already on my comp, had them since the day I got this comp. And I have Firefox as well, that's what I use for most of my surfing, but there are a few sites that don't load/work well using firefox, but they do work with IE. I'll try some of the suggestions you guys gave me and hope for the best. Thanx!

neoh · #8 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

people have been getting nailed with the same shit lately.

download this: http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.exe

extract it,
boot to safe mode, and run SmitfraudFix, use option 2, and Y for registry.

dabbler · #9 (**permalink**) Mar 20, 07

your comp is def infected with something

Flip · #10 (**permalink**) Mar 21, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabbler

your comp is def infected with something

But I swear! I always use a rubber during cyber-sex, I can't be infected!!!!!

ppcock · #11 (**permalink**) Mar 21, 07

adaware is pretty much useless, i recommend spybot

ebbomega · #12 (**permalink**) Mar 22, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flip

That's the weird thing. I have adaware and spybot already on my comp, had them since the day I got this comp. And I have Firefox as well, that's what I use for most of my surfing, but there are a few sites that don't load/work well using firefox, but they do work with IE. I'll try some of the suggestions you guys gave me and hope for the best. Thanx!

When's the last time you ran a sweep with either? Do you run them regularily? I know a lot of people are like "Oh, I can't have spyware, I installed Ad-aware!" and then when I ask them when's the last time they ran a sweep they come back with "...s...weep?"

I don't like Windows Defender. It breaks things it shouldn't and doesn't remove things it should. IMO, that constitutes bad antispyware.

Hijack This has got to be the best antispyware program I've seen. Highly recommend.

Also, if you MUST use Internet Explorer, keep it clean.
- Delete your cookies and files (make sure you check off "Delete Offline Content" too)
- Clear your history
- reset all your Security settings to Defaults. Make sure there's no sites you want in your restricted sites list
- reset your Privacy settings to Defaults. Again, check the web site list you have to make sure there's nothing bad in there.
- Clear your SSL state and your AutoComplete settings
- Restore Defaults in Advanced. For added anti-spyware protection, remove the checkmark next to "Enable Third-Party Browser Extensions (Requires Restart)

Do this maybe once every couple of weeks. Cookies and Files should probably be cleared weekly.

Another way to check for spyware yourself is in the IE options, under general, go to "Settings -> View Objects" and check around for anything that says "Damaged" or "Unknown" in the Status column. Remove anything that is. You should only have objects that are set to "Installed" in the list.

On startup, a typical computer should only have about 20-30 programs running. If you have a bunch more then you've either got a virus or spyware likely.

ebbomega · #13 (**permalink**) Mar 22, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ppcock

adaware is pretty much useless, i recommend spybot

Ad-aware and Spybot search for COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS. I recommend using both.

Ad-aware is good for popups and the "invisible" pieces of spyware... tracking cookies, etc. While it may not seem like it's doing that much for your system performance wise, it does a really good job of keeping your computer from turning into a DDOS drone or market research tool.