Those popup ads!

[DanielF]

I have a popup ad horror story to share.

  Earlier today I was visiting some site (I don't remember where it was) and a big window popped up with an ad for an anti-spyware program.  I closed the window and went on looking at the site.
  Later, when I opened Internet Explorer, my homepage had changed to the same anti-spyware ad.  That got me a little annoyed, but I went ahead and changed my homepage back.  As soon as I did this, a zillion new popups appeared, including a full screen ad for an adult site.  Then, to make things worse, my homepage was changed to that anti-spyware ad for a second time!  ::)
  I think I was able to pull myself out of the loop now, though.  I'll have to run my anti-spyware program tomorrow to make sure it didn't put anything on my computer.  :P

[OTTOL]

I used to live in Hawaii, and when we surfed, they had these little Crustaceans(true story!) that would attack you like a horse fly. They had a name for em' like sea ticks or sea fleas, or something. Once they found you, the only way you could stop them was by pinching them between your fingers, and squeezing as hard as humanly possible. That's the way I feel about the "super agressive" version of the pop-up. I got just one thing to say "CONT-ALT-DEL!" Kinda the computer version of squeezing the bug! Of course I am a computer Neandertal, so you may want to wait around for some better advice!  :(

[pete]

NO respectable site would run these invasive pop ups & change your browser home page. Exactly the same thing happened to me when I was visiting a hacker, porn or cracks site - so I don't visit those sites anymore. I had to reinstall IE to remove the damage they did.

I wonder if ANYONE has ever thought "Oh WHOOPIEEE! - my browser home page is now HotTeenSluts.com & I didn't even have to do anything!!! "  ;D

I would guess the result of their actions is 100% aggitated users who swear NEVER to go there again...  8)

[BFMF]

[quote]I wonder if ANYONE has ever thought "Oh WHOOPIEEE! - my browser home page is now HotTeenSluts.com & I didn't even have to do anything!!! "

[Scottler]

The Google Toolbar is a free tool that you can set to block pop ups.  Very, very handy little utility.  Available at google.com

[WebbPA]

Or try Firebird browser.  I haven't seen a popup since I got it.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firebird/

[Iroquois]

Go out and buy Pop-Up Stopper Pro by Panicware. It's a really good stopper program. I got my copy for free from my computer guy but you can download it online for $29.95 US.

Another good program is Window Washer 4.8. It removes cookies and spyware programs, temp internet files, temp file, stuff in the recycle bin and other useless junk off your computer. It's made by Webroot and is a little more expensive than Pop-Up Stopper at $39.95.

You can take a look at them here.
http://www.webroot.com
http://www.panicware.com

[Scottler]

So there you have it.  You can spend $70 and get Orenda's two suggestions, or you can get either of the two free blockers that were mentioned.

If you're looking to remove spyware, do a google on "Ad-aware".   It's a great spyware removal tool.  Best part-it's also free.  ;)

[Jared]

JUst be careful with Ad-Aware...I ran it on my computer for the first time awhile back, and it found a file and removed it like its supposed to...next thing I knew windows wouldn't boot up without giving me 1'0-15 error messages everytime! Just be careful whatever you do!

Jared

[Scottler]

Ad-aware won't do that.  ;)

[DanielF]

I used to live in Hawaii, and when we surfed, they had these little Crustaceans(true story!) that would attack you like a horse fly. They had a name for em' like sea ticks or sea fleas, or something. Once they found you, the only way you could stop them was by pinching them between your fingers, and squeezing as hard as humanly possible.

Ouch!  Sounds like popups these days.  ::) lol

I'm not sure if I should get a popup ad remover.  I've heard that they also get rid of some of the "good" popups too.  Does anyone know if that's true?

Hyperion wrote:

If you're looking to remove spyware, do a google on "Ad-aware".   It's a great spyware removal tool.  Best part-it's also free.  

I have Ad-Aware too.  ;D

[Scottler]

Daniel-

The Google toolbar has many other features besides the pop up blocker, but to answer your question, this particular blocker can be turned on and off very easily (one click easy) to let the good pops through.

[DanielF]

Ah, ok, I'll have to check it out.  Thanks!  ;D

[flyboy 28]

The Pop-Up stopper is free. I have it. The one you have to pay for is just more "effective".

[Paz]

 There are quite a few free pop up blockers, just search google, or as Hyperion suggested, you can get the google toolbar.

JUst be careful with Ad-Aware...I ran it on my computer for the first time awhile back, and it found a file and removed it like its supposed to...next thing I knew windows wouldn't boot up without giving me 1'0-15 error messages everytime! Just be careful whatever you do!

 A lot of the stuff that Ad-Aware searches out on your system is spyware that has been imbeded in critical files on your system.
 Once Ad-Aware has done its thing, you should only quarantine the files it finds unless you know for sure it is safe to delete them, in quarantine the spyware is useless to the scum that put it on your system in the first place but the critical files still are able to do their jobs.