Hi O.M. :-)
You know what it is, and that you have it somewhere. If you have run
AdAware and SpyBot in Safe Mode and with Hidden Files enabled and the pests
are still there, then it may not just be adware or spyware, and you will
need more aggressive methods to find and remove it.
Be aware, your Anti-Virus won't detect all types of warez, Trojans, malware,
worms, etc., and neither can other adware or spyware related programs such
as AdAware and SpyBot, or other "Spyware" programs. They simply don't have
the proper definitions. These programs must also be run in Safe Mode with
Hidden Files enabled in order to fully scan all files. Even if you have run
such programs and nothing showed up, it does not mean your system is clean.
It takes a series of programs to fully clean your machine. *Some very
aggressive and damaging variants of malware can replicate themselves
repeatedly, or mutate, if not removed properly.*
Work through the information below and follow all the instructions
carefully.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
As you already have HiJackThis installed, make sure it is installed
correctly, and then follow the instructions for posting your log:
How to download and install HiJackThis: Win 98-XP
http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3...-10227353.html
Please.. DO NOT post your log HiJackThis log to this newsgroup. DO NOT
delete anything from the list yourself unless you are an experienced user of
this program. It is important that you post your log on one of the
HiJackThis Support Forums below and allow the experts there to analyze it
for you:
AumHa HiJackThis Forum
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.p
(
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/security)
to allow the experts there to evaluate your log and advise you of any
necessary steps to clean your system.
(Note: You will have to Register before posting on these Forums.
http://aumha.net/profile.php?mode=register
Please follow all pre- posting instructions below carefully to avoid having
your log deleted or ignored.
http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php...79b74558a4b58b)
All responders are volunteers and they are very busy, so please be patient.
Please see
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=4075 and
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm before posting to the forum.
Please post a link back here to your log at AumHa so that we can follow your
progress.
Hope this helps.
Jan

MS MVP - Windows IE/OE [DTS/AumHa]
Smiles are meant to be shared,
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> The only ones I have anymore are those that pop up when I'm
> surfing the Web....most commonly just when I go to a new
> page. It's usually the same ones, pretty much, e.g. gambling,
> registry cleaners (gottal love that one, considering they're
> trying to sell us something to get rid of what THEY are doing),
> etc. I run a pop-up stopper which gets some of them. I also
> run Google toobar which has one.
>
> But what I want to know is just **where** are these things coming
> from? It doesn't much matter which site I'm visiting (even my own!),
> the same ads pop up. Are these things on my computer somewhere,
> and spring to life while I surf? I think I'm as curious about how they
> come in as I am in getting rid of 'em---we'll not really, but I am
> curious
> about these pesky things. What's the deal guys? Thanks.
>
> --
> O.M.
>