I thank everyone for their input thus far.

As I am a resolute coward when it comes to computers, I tried clonetek's solution first. Did not fix the problem, sadly as I just had to dump 8 more ads. To be quite blunt, I think Microsoft is in bed with these adware guys as it is always coming through a MSN "port" so to say.

It really saddens me that the internet has come to this in the last year or so. First, I guess, were viruses but those are at least fairly controllable nowadays. Then there was Spam and even though I "send" stuff to the spam folder every day, I have never gotten anything automatically sent there. It is always empty except for what I send. But...at least that is just a matter of clicking an incoming email to send it to the spam hell.

this adware thing is a whole 'nother animal and it is totally spoiling my experience.

I have been sitting here at my PC for about two hours and I have had to close over 100 ads and I have had to reboot the computer maybe 10 times just to type these lines. It just is not fun anymore.

I guess Firefox is the way to go.
Bill

 

If you use Microsoft Spyware, you can have it remove Internet explorer (At least that's what the news stories say). Then you can install Firefox with no problems.

 

my apologies, i told you about the place i use but never told you the name LOL its Trend Micro PC Cillan www.trendmicro.com

 

I've never had a problem and I use XP and IE.

I've had computers for 20 years. You have to start out right.
I just bought another new computer from Dell 2 months ago.
I had DSL for 4 years and now have had cable for 2 and have always left it on.

I have Symantec firewall and anti-virus. Also have Spybot and Spyware Blaster but have never needed them. I update my firewall and virus at least every 2 days usally every day.
Microsoft spyware is great, they bought out another spyware company called Giant and use their programs.

Also don't give out your address to anyone unless you have too. Never enter contests or any other bs like that. I get about 2 spam emails a day.

 

A classic example of security through obscurity!!!

 

If you have run spybot and are still having trouble, go here...

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/security

There are some great people there who will be glad to help you out. You MUST click on the link I pointed out first, print those instructions, follow them to a tee, then after if you still have a problem, post your hijack-this log. They WILL get your PC back in good working order. Calamity Jane, who hangs out in that forum, is an expert at PC security, and she specializes in cleaning up malware infested PC's.

 

 

OK, I downloaded Firefox and so far no popups.

To be honest, it seems totally transparent in that I still click on the AOL icon and it functions as normal. The only difference I see on the screen is there is now a Firefox icon.

For whatever it is worth, several boards I visit seem to come up rather a lot quicker, at least in the last 4-5 minutes or so.
Let us see how it works from here.
Bill

 

One of your biggest problems is that you most likely have never adjusted your IE browser settings to block third party cookies. Most people who do not comprehend this end up getting frustrated and just toss out the baby with the bathwater. Mozilla Firefox is OK, but it isn't as good as (a properly functioning) IE.

On your very top toolbar (above the address bar), click Tools > Internet Options > Privacy > Advanced
Then in the first column where it says 'First party cookies', choose 'accept'. Where it says 'third party cookies' choose 'block'. Then check the box that says 'always allow session cookies' (this allows sites like this forum to keep track of what threads you have read or not read for you).

Third party cookies are from advertisers, sometimes for ads that you don't even see. These third party cookies are the ones that track your browsing habits for advertisers. Then if you click on the wrong thing, you can accidentally download 'adware' or 'spyware' that resides inside your computer and generates those popup ads. Those ads aren't even coming from the website you might be viewing, they are already in your computer. You gotta clean them out because they aren't going to just 'go away' by themselves. Band-aids wont help at this point, you NEED to use Ad-Aware and SpyBot and whatever elose it takes to evict the pests from your computer. DO NOT use any of the products advertised in the popups because that will guarantee that you will never evict them.

Good luck with this. Once you get this cleaned up, then you won't have to fear this stuff any more. you will know how to eliminate it if it ever happens again.

 

Are you running a firewall?

You should be. ZoneAlarm is free and easy to use ( http://www.zonealarm.com )

I also suggest some sort of spyware removal software (spybot is good and adaware, both have been pointed out to you).

You should also consider an anti-virus program. http://www.grisoft.com , get their free AVG anti-virus program, it's good and it is also free.

Keep those 3 apps updated and run them at least once a week and you should be in good shape.

 

Wow, how much of the cool-aid did you drink?

 

RockyJSquirell:

OK, I did exactly as you said but may I say with utmost respect that you left out two steps that I had to figure out myself.

And..........this is the problem that us computer klutz types have so many problems with.

Everyone on this particular thread has been extremely helpful and I cannot thank you enough.

But... sometimes you have to take a deep breath and say "I am dealing with an idiot here" and walk us dummies through the whole routine from A to B.

I know rather a lot about real cars and trucks and through my owning a HobbyTown USA franchise, a lot about how to build a model or how to set up an RC car or truck. I know sweet bugger all about computers other than that they are sort of expensive and that, if properly functioning, they give me a pleasure I could not have dreamed of 10 years ago.

Now, I am not sure if we are on to a cure but I have not gotten a popup ad for the last 5 minutes which is a major record considering what I have gone through the last 4-5 days.

Your friendly "computer idiot" and not ashamed at all to admit it.
Bill

 

I've heard that was an okay utility... How do you like it Brooks?

 

er, what two steps did RockyJ leave out?

 

johngs:

Be nice:
The instructions I got from rocky were two instructions short of what you had to actually do what he was instructing me to try to accomplish.

I said, I was not bitching, merely asking for "dummy" type instructuons.

And, sad to say, I still am invaded by the adware stuff although it is at about 20% of what it was 2 hours ago.

Let me amend that statement.
I am about to throw this PC in the trash. and that is a pity as I paid a lot of money for it.

At this point, I am totally frustrated. I downloaded rather a lot of what was suggested, I think I installed Firefox, at least it registers on my downloads, and I have downloaded a couple of other suggested programs that shjould have solved the problem.

And, now, the Popups continue. 10 since I have tried to make this bloody post, Just got eight more. I quit for tonight.