Computer problems

[crazychemist]

Hi All,
Is there some one out in cyberspace who can give me advise on some computer problems. :(
#1 I downloaded some pop up programs that offers me everthing from Porn (my wife really quized me on that one) :shock: To online casinos. They pop up ever time when I go to different sites.
#2 My computer screen has become "grainy" similar to looking at colour negatives from film. Instead it's not multichromatic but trichromatic.
Any ideas, I's appreciate the assistance.
Cheers
Steve
dad to 16 month old Mackenzie. (4 months to go to becoming a SAHD) :D

[Don-Dad]

Ypu probably have some adware or spyware, which is sometimes very tricky.

Get spybot search and destroy, its free and decent in catching spyware, go to http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

then after you download that, install it (i think you have to check for updates as well, the software is not too complicated :) )

go to http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ and download the free presonal version and run that as well.

Hopefully one of those 2 will solve your problem.

Words of advice, never download anything from the web that your not so sure about? There is so much spyware its ridiculous. Get a good virus checker, AVG antivirus has a free version I use that is good and then a decent firewall like zone alarm or a router with a good hardware firewall.

Did you check your settings for the monitor? right click on the desktop, then click properties, then settings and be sure its set to the higher color setting.

Sorry to get so geeky :)

[crazychemist]

Thanks Don, I will give it a try when I get home.
Cheers
Steve :P

[tt3]

I'd stand behind adaware any day. Caught 2x as much as spybot on my machine....
Good luck

[Muz]

There is another app that I've found useful in the past called Hijack This. It does a good job of tracking down programs that imbed themselves in the Windows registry and that load at startup. If you aren't very computer saavy, you might want to avoid this one though. It's possible to wipe out critical applications as well as the junk.

Another thing to consider is your web browser. I switched to Firefox last summer, instead of IE, and it helped tremendously.

Hijack This -- http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/
Firefox -- http://www.mozilla.org/

[Patrickz]

I use search and distroy as well as adware too and have had no problems in the last year. I update once a week and there is a new update most times. Also I run the program every couple of days and the spyware is much more then you think.

[Jackson's Dad]

Oh, you PC people. :wink:

[Don-Dad]

There aere many "drive by" spyware installers but many come from apps you download, especially free ones. In my online marketing business these guys are evil predators, we rely on cookies to track sales and many times they will overwrite the cookie my site sets with their own, thus stealing my possible commission. :evil:

Firefox is good, buts its even starting to get some attention from the evil doers.

[jeffus]

Get spybot search and destroy, its free and decent in catching spyware, go to http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

then after you download that, install it (i think you have to check for updates as well, the software is not too complicated )

go to http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/ and download the free presonal version and run that as well.


You know - I did this and found 76 spyware programs running. And adaware found 51 'data-minining' cookies. Took care of the offending software and my system seems to be runnning soooo much faster.

So much for McAffee...when my script is up, I'm looking for something better.....any suggestions? Is Symantic any better?

Thanks for the input Don!

[Jackson's Dad]

McAfee, Symantec - they all suck in different ways (IMHO).

[tt3]

McAfee, Symantec - they all suck in different ways (IMHO).

Norton blew big donkey... um.... anyway, it was a major PITA installing and getting it to do what I want, and even then its not the greatest. 10 years I've been pirating antivirus software or using free, then the one time I do it legit and pay for a proggie and its CRAP!
Oops, I didn't mean "pirate", um, every piece of software in my computer is legit, of course. :oops:

[Don-Dad]

Stay away from Norton, they block the cookies that I get my commissions from here at dadstayshome. :x

Also, I think microsoft has some new program that removes and blocks adware and spyware, I hear its good. I think i need to check out the windows site to find it.

[Jackson's Dad]

On a related note, for all you guys running your own website.

My website just got hacked by some jokers. Turns out they got in through a security hole in a stats program I installed (AWStats). Luckily, they did very little damage, and between me and my hosting company, we got it all cleaned up. But the lesson I learned: if you installed any software, make sure it's kept up to date!

[GoatBeard]

Personally, I like Norton's Auto Protect. If you are using Outlook or Outlook Express for you e-mail, Norton will catch any virus before it gets through your box. I have also been to webpages and had Norton catch viruses trying to get to my computer just by going to the page (didn't know that was even possible -- meaning you don't actually have to download something to get a virus).

I agree with Adaware and Spybot. I also use Spyware Blaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html-- since I have installed that program Adaware and Spybot don't catch as much stuff. Not sure how Spyware Blaster works, but somehow it keeps the stuff from getting on your computer in the first place.