OT: Pop-Up Blocker, Gotta 'puter question, need help Options

[URY914]

I bought a pop-up blocker software by "Safeworld" at CompUSA and installed it on my work laptop. Seems to be working OK, but I have a few questions that I'm sure someone here can help me with. They are:

1. After installing it the pop-ups did decrease but I still get some. Is that because it is stopping those coming in via the internet but those on my c-drive are still there? Will those c-drive ones be zapped as they come up?

2. I tried installing it at home and it would let me register. So is this a one time deal? Do I have to buy another for home? (let me guess the answer to this one)

Thanks,
Paul

[Brad Roberts]

You should run Spybot for free. You probably have 100's of pop-up software pieces installed on the machine. Until those are gone (I doubt the software you installed actually removes them from the machine) more than likey It just blocks them as it sees them start to happen. They still reside on the box.


B

[cha914]

To check for ads on your c drive download this and run a check on your computer:

http://www.safer-networking.org/ - the program is called spybot, and it looks for adware on your system and will eliminate it, I doubt the software you bought will do that.

And if you don't like how your pop-up blocker is working, try a different browser: I use Opera which is available at:

www.opera.com

it works on 98% of the websites I have been to and its getting better every revision. It has a setting that will only allow pop-ups that you click on (like viewing pics on the net)...otherwise I get ZERO pop-ups...I really don't get how people still use IE...

another browser that works well is Mozilla:

http://www.mozilla.org/

I didn't like the last version as well as opera, but I hear their most recent one is very good...

HTH,

Tony

[Qarl]

Yes,,, Spybot Search and Destroy can be downloaded for free and is highly recommended.

I use Panicware's Popup Stopper Free Edition (Also downloaded for free) and it works great. Stops 99.9% of popups.

Those two alone should make your internet experience 1000% better!

[Brad Roberts]

I use IE and have NO popups accept the one from CNN which I allow. Dont download shit onto your computer and you will be fine.


B

[Gint]

Load the google toolbar (if you use IE). FREE! and it works great. Also gives you a handy dandy google search right on the toolbar.

[914ghost]

I downloaded the GOOGLE toolbar with pop up blocker and google search tool and I havent had one pop-up in two months.
I didn't think It would work so well! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)
Bob O

[mikester]

SOME popups are not little web pages like the one you see there on CNN some are imbedded flash content - like the penguin game is made with flash.

Those I can't see how to really block.

Spybot is a must have I run it on a weekly basis on all my computers that are windoz based.

[RD Evans]

Quit using the IE and start using Opera www.opera.com. No popups and a far superior (not mention faster) browser.

Stop looking at porn or just use mozilla. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[URY914]

I just loaded Spybot for free!!. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
Well at least it was the company that paid for the other one. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

So how can this be offered for free, when it is being sold for $29.99?

Thanks everyone. This is more than a 914 related board. Look at the OT questions lately, this is like a help line for people that want a no BS answer to thier questions.

Paul

[URY914]

They weren't porn pop-ups.
Just misc shit.

[fiid]

I use a bunch of tools to make my browsing life easier.

"Yahoo! Companion" claims to have a pop-up blocker now, but the killer feature for me is BOOKMARKS! Add a bookmark at work - it appears at home with a refresh!

"Google toolbar" Google searches from anywhere, popup blocker that works really well, and for me - the killer feature - if you type in a word (but don't press enter) - it also appears on the right side of the toolbar - clicking that will search IN PAGE - equivalent to Edit > Find (on this page). Subsequent clicks take you to subsequent instances of the word.

http://www.lavasoft.nu has "Ad-Aware" which checks your system for Adware, Spyware, and cookies from ad companies, and will kill the lot for you.

All of these are free.

Fiid.

[Andyrew]

Basically what fiid said (dang, thats exactly what I use.. lol)

Andrew

[EdwardBlume]

Earthlink also has a pop up blocker that works very well.... in case you have Earthlink.

[redtiny914]

AOL has a pop up blocker and I never get any pop ups at all

By the way is this true...My son and I were sitting at Dennys last night eating and he told me that....you can get a virus through pop ups??????

Is this true....? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif)

[fiid]

Err. well. Maybe. Problem is that Microsoft software has very little in the way of inherent script security. Mostly, you have to click on the popup - or click OK on "Do you want to run this 3rd party program" to run the virus.

Heres what you should do.

1) make sure you have a pop-up blocker, and if possible a spam filter. I can provide you with a spam filtered email account for a small monthly fee if you PM me. Also - make sure you have an updating and current virus checker, and a copy of Ad-Aware (as mentioned above). Try to run ad-aware once every couple of months, just to make sur eyou haven't accumulated spyware.

2) DO NOT EVER RESPOND TO SPAM OR POPUPS. Best way to get rid of this crap is to NEVER give them business. You can use "remove me" links, but bear in mind they may use it to verify your email address, so it isn't really worth the screen space it's writting on.

3) If something pops up saying "Do you want to open (or run) this file .. blah blah" and you did not just click on a KNOWN link, and KNOW what the file is, say No or Cancel.

4) If something suprises you - check it out - read it - google it - and don't be gullable. Unless you know what it is - it's a scam. If you have an Aunt Brenda and it says Aunt Brendetta - it's a scam.

[don9146]

The stuff I have found that works the best (all of the FREE):

Pop-up Blocker: The google toolbar. Read a couple of posts above to see some of the other useful things it can do.

Firewall: Zone Alarm. It will take it a little while to recognize what you will allow acess to and from the internet, but it works excellent when properly configured.

Anti-Virus: AVG Anti-Virus. The free version is the same as the retail version minus the spyware detection and elimination. It shows a few ads when it runs, but actually has ledd than some retail versions of anti-virus software (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) .

Spyware: Ad-Aware 6.0 and Spybot Search and Destroy. The former is easier to use and works well. The latter is a little less straightforward, but works better from what I have read.

Installing all of the pieces of software will make your computer about as secure as it can possibly be. Its about the best way to tell spammers, spyware, and hackers :finger2: , without spending so much money it feels like you are

[need4speed]

Ad-Aware to kill adware and spyware,
and Mozilla Firefox to kill popups, and manage cookies.
and Tabbed Browsing is da shizzle.

IE? Never touch the stuff.
I develop a corporate IE distribution as part of my current job. I do that for money. I wouldn't recommend IE for my worst enemy. It's an insecure bug-ridden piece of filth.

[kafermeister]

I use Lynx on OpenBSD via SSH. NO POPUPS!

Just kidding. Sorry for the geek humor. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

I actually do use IE and Google Toolbar. ....and I'm proactive about looking for spyware on my system manually (check c:\program files, and C:\WIN98\Downloaded Program Files) on a semi regular basis for things that don't appear to be legitimate.
...and I've turned off a whole bunch of options. ...and I use Adaware and update it once a week.

Rick