Pop Up Blockers

Likely you've got some kind of malware or spyware that isn't being picked up for some reason. There are several programs that can help find this stuff. Hijack This helps, but you have to find someone to translate the scan of your system for you. All Hijack this does is basically run a scan that tells you what programs are on your computer when it boots up (Or something like that). There are several Web sites with forums where you can post your log from that program and people will tell you what, if anything, could be messing your system up.

I'm sure there are easier to use programs out there, though. Someone with more knowledge of this stuff would be more help than me, I'm sure.

 

Because you have some serious infections on your computer that aren't going to be cleaned by Ad-aware alone. You probably need a major system cleaning.

And while Firefox is good, do NOT think it is a replacement for good anti-spyware and anti-virus programs. It's not.

 

I also run three spyware programs (Adaware and Spybot for scans and blocking, and another for just blocking), and have a free virus scan ( I think the one Rosie or someone else suggested on here once).

Good stuff. Makes for a pretty clean computer.

Of course, now that I've said that, watch me get something on it this week.

 

I also have a free virus scan.
What aren't these things foolproof?
Is there really a way around everything?

 

Well, I hate to sound like a Mac commercial, but they're much more stable and far less likely to suffer a virus.

 

Nothing's foolproof, but you can keep things pretty clean if you run the scans regularly and keep them updated.

One problem I've found, though, is that sometimes things come embedded in downloads from certain sites. Not just porn sites either. My wife kept gettting things installed when she'd download wallpapers or desktop themes. That could've happened to you. You have to be VERY careful what you download and where you download from.

 

And far harder to find many programs on. And, oh yeah, they suck.

 

Actually, I've had no problems finding programs for Mac. Mine has a built-in Mail program, Microsoft Office, the best browser available, an address book that syncs with my Mail program and several other programs, Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Quark, iTunes, Fetch, Quicken, Windows Media Player, iPhoto, Quicktime, Adobe Acrobat Professional, a text editor, a few more browsers.

What program is it that you need to run? I can't imagine needing to do anything that couldn't be accomplished with the programs I have installed on my Mac.

 

I've gone through two periods in which I've tried to make Firefox my main browser off recommendations here. Both times, I've come back to Internet Explorer with the Google toolbar, and I still find it superior.

And if you like tabbed browsing (I don't), IE 7.0 Beta has it.

 

It's easier than posting it on a forum and waiting for someone to tell you what's good and bad.

There is a site that you copy and paste the log report you get from hijack this and it tells you what's good and bad. I'll look for that site later on tonight.

 

A word about Hijack This....

It's an awesome program, one I have used numerous times to clean infected computers.

But if you do not know what you are doing, if you do not understand registry entries -- DO NOT DELETE THINGS WITHOUT HELP FROM A KNOWLEGABLE EXPERT!!!!

There are websites out there where you can post your Hijack This log and have someone tell you what you may or may not delete. Hopefully Hank can come up with them -- I don't know them off hand since I don't use them.

The main thing is to have good anti-spyware and anti-virus programs and keep them updated! [/rosie preaching like a broken record]

 

It's these fucking ravensearch pop-ups that won't go away. Apparently I unwittingly downloaded something and these pop-ups were a part of the deal.