Help me kill these ^$(*&%$)# popup ads

[Don Claybrook]

I use the Google Toolbar popup ad stopper thing.

I've just run the latest version of Ad Aware several times and rebooted several times.
My virus scan is completely up-to-date.
I'm running a hardware firewall.

The ads keep coming back. The one that's currently up is titled "Fast Reward".

What's worse, I now have strange little occurrences like IE6 text size changing occasionally when I use the scroll wheel on my mouse. Also, sometimes when I click on a DU thread, it will open in a new window, as if I had right-clicked and selected 'open in new window'. Oh, and sometimes when I'm typing in IE6 (as in here, or in a web form), sometimes my typing goes into all-caps for no apparent reason.

Has anyone had any success in removing this invasive sort of stuff. Whenever I've had problems in the past, the Google bar usually does the trick. When that fails (a la 'show behind'), Ad Aware or manual registry edits have worked. I'm stumped on this one.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

[Snow]

1. Don't use IE, my friend

easiest answer. I like and use Opera and Mozilla. No popups, ever.

[Don Claybrook]

8. I may have to get to that point

I'd rather fix what I have, but I might check these out.

Do most plugins work with these browsers?

Thanks again.

[Snow]

16. Plugins are happy with either....

and you have to pay (Oh, no! It's not free??) the norwegian for opera to get rid of the ad-strip thingee, but it's well worth it. Browser, even the free ones, aren't really free, and Opera's faster than greased lightening! Both have considerable capabilities over the standards.

[Padraig18]

2. Get Window Washer.

I don't have the URL, but it is RUTHLESS in locating them, and you can delete them manually. They hide in odd places and have very odd filenames, etc., and AdAware sometimes misses a few. Also, try using CrazyBrowser--- it kills them automatically.

[Don Claybrook]

5. Thanks, I'll find and install now n/t

[frylock]

3. try spybot search & destroy..

it sometimes will pick up stuff that Ad-Aware might miss. I use Norton Internet Security in tandem with Google pop-up blocker with amazing success.

[Don Claybrook]

6. And thank you. I'll also find and install these n/t

[Kellanved]

7. that, and maybe EZarmor (instead of Norton)

http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/

[Redneck Socialist]

11. I'll second spybot...

...all so try Popupstopper by painicware. No link but it is free.

[boneygrey]

13. popupstopper

You can find the link on refdesk.com. Cool site.

[brainshrub]

4. Use Mozilla

http://www.mozilla.org

I started useing it about a month ago.

I'm never going back.

[Don Claybrook]

9. As mentioned to Snow, I may try it

But I want to defeat this thing first. It's personal now. :)

[stopbush]

12. If you're using Netscape, there's an easy way to kill most pop-ups.

This also works in Mozilla:

Go the the pull down menu at the top of the screen (Apple Menu for Mac types) to EDIT - scroll down to PREFERENCES. Open Preferences.

In the left-handed scrolling menu, go to ADVANCED. Click on SCRIPTS AND PLUG-INS.

In the window "Allow webpages to:" UNCHECK (disable) "Open unrequested windows." Click OK and save the change.

Since I did this simple procedure, I've eliminated every single pop-up ad except those from the NY Times website.

[radfringe]

10. pop-up buster (free)

http://www.popupbuster.net/

also for $20 extra you can upgrade to have more control

works great, been using it for 3 weeks now

also recommend - www.spykiller.com for the adware, free, but for a few $$ you get updates for life

[lpbk2713]

14. I use Netscape 7.1 and don't have any problem with ...........

........ pop-ups, pop-unders, spammers or hackers. I also have Norton Anti-Virus and a good firewall with BlackIce Defender. Most of these attackers target MicroSlop Internet Explorer and their chit doesn't work with Netscape or Mozilla or most of the other browsers.

[absolutezero]

15. Mozilla

www.mozilla.org

you will never see another popup

[matcom]

17. SIMPLE AND FREE

Google toolbar

100% FREE and GREAT

[IronLionZion]

18. try Mozilla, Firebird, Opera, Netscape,

[LynneSin]

19. Switch to Opera Browser

I've been quite pleased with the Opera Browser. I have it set so you only get popups for ones you request (aka DU's smilie page and Yahoo Address book are both technically popup boxes).

[trof]

20. I use a .22, but

I have to replace the monitor pretty often.
;-)

[thom1102]

21. Have you checked for spyware yet?

If you use any of those free services like weatherbug, or kazaa etc, when you install them, you also install a spyware program that monitors your browsing habits and sends targeted ads to you based on those habits. For instance, if you visit travel sites a lot, you might get a pop up ad for Travelocity, or Expedia.

The next time you get one of these ads, check to see if it says anything like "gator" or anything that looks suspiciously un microsoftlike. If this is the case, then you will have to uninstall those programs to get rid of them, and there should be a place where you can click to "Learn more about Gator" etc, where they will provide you with instructions on how to remove the programs.

[GregW]

22. I have no problems with IE and Google Toolbar ...

Your font/mousewheel problem may be due to a stuck Ctrl key. If you hold down the COntrol key and wheel up and down it changes the default font size.