Ads problem

[Ken Blake, MVP]

After you get clean'd up you might want to run a HOSTS file
Mine (the one I use): http://someonewhocares.org/hosts/
What's a HOSTS file: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Bottom line, a HOSTS file blocks sites listed in the HOSTS file;

That's a confusing and inaccurate statement. Blocking sites is *not* the
purpose of the hosts file, although it can do that in addition to its normal
function.

Read my standard post on the host file, which follows:

The real address of a web site is not the URL, like www.aumha.org, which
many people think it is, but an IP address like 66.39.115.252. When you type
a URL, it has to be translated into an IP address, and that usually happens
by going to an external DNS server, normally provided by your IP. The URL is
looked up, the IP address is provided, and only then can your browser get to
the web site.

The hosts file shortcuts that process. It's sort of like a local DNS server,
where the URL can be looked up and the IP address provided. So when the URL
is found there, it saves the time for DNS lookup that would otherwise be
needed. It can't list them for all web sites, of course, but can be useful
if it contains the addresses of sites you frequent. The Hosts file is
checked before going to the DNS server, and the DNS server is accessed only
if necessary--if there's no entry in the Hosts file.

The Hosts File can also be used to block access to particular web sites. See
"Blocking Unwanted Parasites with a Hosts File"
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On broadband you really do need a firewall. This could be the one
provided with WindowsXP (make sure it's enabled) or in a hardware
router box between your PC and the modem.

It's commonly repeated advice that you need a firewall only if you have some
form of broadband service, not dialup.

My personal view is that, common as that advice is, it's terrible advice.
You are exposed to the possibility of intrusion whenever you are connected
to the internet, regardless of how that connection (dial-up, dsl, cable,
etc.) is established. The longer you are connected, the greater the
exposure. Most people with dial-up service are connected for shorter periods
than those with broadband, but that doesn't eliminate the exposure, it just
diminishes it. Since you can get a decent firewall program for free (or even
use the built-in one in Windows XP), and it has very little impact on
performance, there's no reason to take any risk at all. Just run the
firewall.

By the way, I know at least one person with dsl service who keeps her
computer powered on for less time each day than many dial-up users stay
connected to the internet. Her risk, despite her broadband use) is *less*
than most dial-up users risk, not more.

 

[CWatters]

It's commonly repeated advice that you need a firewall only if you have some
form of broadband service, not dialup.

Yeah sorry about that. I agree you need a firewall on dial up as well these
days.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Yeah sorry about that. I agree you need a firewall on dial up as well
these days.

Good, glad we agree, and no problem. I just wanted to make sure nobody
interpreted your message as thinking they didn't need a firewall if they had
dialup service.

 

[Plato]

Something seems to have installed on my computer and now I keep getting ads
popping up (even when not viewing webpages). I have high speed internet so

http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop20.htm#3