how to stop pop up ad killer

[bell-lady]

I don't remember starting one, but I see lots of boxes in IE with only
placeholders showing, looks like no moving ads sort of??
Anyway, I also can't get some things I want to show, to show. Like Mah John
Tiles on games.msn.com, the online version. It opens a window, with a
javascript on the status bar, and stops.

I did recently reload XP and added the Sun Java program. Did I perhaps miss
something? Is there any common download that sometimes causes this
symptom...I did have the google toolbar for awhile, noticed such symptoms
and uninstalled it. I remember a struggle getting the google logo to leave
my IE toolbar and the address box...

I have up to date Norton AV, spybot s&d, Ad-Aware checker and nothing bad
shows up (except Weatherbug, which I do keep around).

Help?!

Ann in PA

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

How to block Pop-ups?:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
How to block Pop-ups?:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm

Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
-------------------------------------------


I don't remember starting one, but I see lots of boxes in IE with only
placeholders showing, looks like no moving ads sort of??
Anyway, I also can't get some things I want to show, to show. Like Mah John
Tiles on games.msn.com, the online version. It opens a window, with a
javascript on the status bar, and stops.

I did recently reload XP and added the Sun Java program. Did I perhaps miss
something? Is there any common download that sometimes causes this
symptom...I did have the google toolbar for awhile, noticed such symptoms
and uninstalled it. I remember a struggle getting the google logo to leave
my IE toolbar and the address box...

I have up to date Norton AV, spybot s&d, Ad-Aware checker and nothing bad
shows up (except Weatherbug, which I do keep around).

Help?!

Ann in PA

 

[bell-lady]

Oops..perhaps I should clarify...I don't want to stop popups. I want some
things that are being stopped to be able to appear...go to games.msn.com,
choose to play Mah Jong Tiles online...I can't get the game to load, just a
big box. Many, many online ads just show a placeholder (I don't mind that,
but DO want my games to work!).
Ann

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Bell-Lady - You may want to try re-installing the Java VM - either
Microsoft's or Sun's (or both).

You can test whether Java is working on your machine at the following
sites:

http://www.pocoso.de/pocoso052.html
http://www.clan.lib.ri.us/clan/javatest.html
http://www.fitwise.com/testjava.asp (both 1.0 and 1.1 and what's
installed)
http://coglab.wadsworth.com/support/browsercheck.html
http://www.ces.clemson.edu/webct/browser_detect.html

and you can test Javascript here:
http://www.dancespots.net/browsertest.htm

and check whether you have the MS VM installed and which version here:
http://www.visualware.com/personal/support/index.html#java

There is good information concerning all aspects of the Java situation here:
http://www.javatester.org/installing.html

Be aware, however, that after Sept. 30, 2004, MS will apparently no longer
be distributing Java or providing any support for Java including
security fixes. (It's unclear as to how 6/26/03 court decision will
affect this) See here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/news/jre.asp, and
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/java/ ,and more recently here:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....RBAELCFEY?type=technologyNews&storyID=3572282
so you
might want to start thinking about the future.

You can get the Sun Java J2SE RunTimes or SDK here:
http://java.sun.com/downloads/index.html (all versions - select using
the dropdown)

Sun also offers an automatic download and install of the 1.4 Java
plug-in here: http://java.sun.com/getjava/download.html



For the MS Java VM, you may need to install v.3809 prior to upgrading
to v. 3810 if you didn't previous have MS Java v. 3805 or 3809
installed.

If your OS is Win2000 SP2, SP3 but NOT SP4 then you can download and
install the MS Java VM v. 3809 from here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/m..._510A502BA8F9B6F19230BB2BCCE87D5474AC9DCD.exe
or here:
http://www.biologylab.awlonline.com...icrosoft.Q810030_W2K_SP4_5849/Q810030_W2K.exe

For Win2000 SP4, you'll need to re-install v.3805, from here:
http://www.download.support.safetec.net/msjavx86/msjavx86.exe
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/msjavx86.exe


For all other OS's:

Download and install the MS Java VM v. 3809 from one of the links here:
http://ftp.idilis.ro/windows/sp/jvm98/msjavwu.exe, or here:
http://www.biologylab.awlonline.com...XP/com_microsoft.javavm_3809_5853/msjavwu.exe,
or here: http://secinfo.huji.ac.il/patches/Win-xp/msjavwu.exe


Then upgrade to v. 3810:

For all OS's except Win2kSP4 obtain v. 3810 here:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?fid=1050022631 ,or here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/m...l/MSJavWU_8073687b82d41db93f4c2a04af2b34d.exe

For Win2k - SP2, SP3 - you can also obtain v. 3810 from Microsoft here:
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-9b18-423356321682/Q816093_W2K_SP4_X86_EN.exe

For Win2kSP4, to get 3810 from Microsoft you now have to get Q816093 from
Windows Update Catalog - use the entry for Windows 2000 SP4 (this seems to
be the only Win2k option that has it) and then find 816093 in the list. You
can find directions for using the Windows Update Catalog functions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;323166. (I am
informed by Torgeir Bakken, MVP, that if you rename the downloaded file from
here: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?fid=1050022631 to
msjavwu.exe it will then also work for SP4.)

Both Java VM's can co-exist on your machine quite nicely. Just select
which one you want to use in Tools|Internet Options|Advanced and restart
all IE browsers. Here, courtesy of Michel Gallant, MVP Security, is a
tiny utility which allows you to toggle and view status of your current
Java VM vendor associated with IE:
http://pages.istar.ca/~neutron/SelectIEJVM

A note from Mitch Gallant:

"One note about the JVM Selector utility:
If/when you install a new version of Sun J2SE, you need to manually
select to have Sun JVM as default JVM for IE (in install), or after
install
via the JavaPlugin control panel. This generates the necessary win32
registry
entries, which must be present for the utility to know about JavaPlugin.
After that, the utility should work properly."



--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Brian]

not familiar with ad-aware or spybot, but I use a
firewall with an ad blocking option. ZoneAlarm Pro gives
you the ability to block "privacy headers" from
individual domain names. You just check the box on the
websites you do not want to see ad's from and they wont
show anymore. You'll get a message that a "privacy
header" or ad was blocked and sometimes in the case of
pop-ups you might see a blank internet explorer
occurrence on your taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
There may be a similar function in ad-aware that will
allow you to designate games.msn.com or whatever it is as
a "safe" site where you do allow ad's or privacy headers
(I guess the difference between an ordinary ad and a
privacy header is that the later sends information back
to the webmaster confirming that the ad was viewed, and
sometimes other private information contained in your
cookies... potentially more harmful than an ad that just
goes out but doesn't bring anything back to its master).
Anyway, I recomend ZoneAlarm (free or pro) over any other
security software I've ever seen. It does its job (very
costomizable as well) without much interruption of your
surfing experience!
Peace,
Brian

-----Original Message-----
"bell-lady" <[email protected]> wrote in

message

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Thanks, Jim.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
How to block Pop-ups?:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm

Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
-------------------------------------------


Hi Bell-Lady - You may want to try re-installing the Java VM - either
Microsoft's or Sun's (or both).

You can test whether Java is working on your machine at the following
sites:

http://www.pocoso.de/pocoso052.html
http://www.clan.lib.ri.us/clan/javatest.html
http://www.fitwise.com/testjava.asp (both 1.0 and 1.1 and what's
installed)
http://coglab.wadsworth.com/support/browsercheck.html
http://www.ces.clemson.edu/webct/browser_detect.html

and you can test Javascript here:
http://www.dancespots.net/browsertest.htm

and check whether you have the MS VM installed and which version here:
http://www.visualware.com/personal/support/index.html#java

There is good information concerning all aspects of the Java situation here:
http://www.javatester.org/installing.html

Be aware, however, that after Sept. 30, 2004, MS will apparently no longer
be distributing Java or providing any support for Java including
security fixes. (It's unclear as to how 6/26/03 court decision will
affect this) See here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/news/jre.asp, and
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/java/ ,and more recently here:
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....RBAELCFEY?type=technologyNews&storyID=3572282
so you
might want to start thinking about the future.

You can get the Sun Java J2SE RunTimes or SDK here:
http://java.sun.com/downloads/index.html (all versions - select using
the dropdown)

Sun also offers an automatic download and install of the 1.4 Java
plug-in here: http://java.sun.com/getjava/download.html



For the MS Java VM, you may need to install v.3809 prior to upgrading
to v. 3810 if you didn't previous have MS Java v. 3805 or 3809
installed.

If your OS is Win2000 SP2, SP3 but NOT SP4 then you can download and
install the MS Java VM v. 3809 from here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/m..._510A502BA8F9B6F19230BB2BCCE87D5474AC9DCD.exe
or here:
http://www.biologylab.awlonline.com...icrosoft.Q810030_W2K_SP4_5849/Q810030_W2K.exe

For Win2000 SP4, you'll need to re-install v.3805, from here:
http://www.download.support.safetec.net/msjavx86/msjavx86.exe
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/msjavx86.exe


For all other OS's:

Download and install the MS Java VM v. 3809 from one of the links here:
http://ftp.idilis.ro/windows/sp/jvm98/msjavwu.exe, or here:
http://www.biologylab.awlonline.com...XP/com_microsoft.javavm_3809_5853/msjavwu.exe,
or here: http://secinfo.huji.ac.il/patches/Win-xp/msjavwu.exe


Then upgrade to v. 3810:

For all OS's except Win2kSP4 obtain v. 3810 here:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?fid=1050022631 ,or here:
http://download.windowsupdate.com/m...l/MSJavWU_8073687b82d41db93f4c2a04af2b34d.exe

For Win2k - SP2, SP3 - you can also obtain v. 3810 from Microsoft here:
http://download.microsoft.com/downl...-9b18-423356321682/Q816093_W2K_SP4_X86_EN.exe

For Win2kSP4, to get 3810 from Microsoft you now have to get Q816093 from
Windows Update Catalog - use the entry for Windows 2000 SP4 (this seems to
be the only Win2k option that has it) and then find 816093 in the list. You
can find directions for using the Windows Update Catalog functions here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;323166. (I am
informed by Torgeir Bakken, MVP, that if you rename the downloaded file from
here: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?fid=1050022631 to
msjavwu.exe it will then also work for SP4.)

Both Java VM's can co-exist on your machine quite nicely. Just select
which one you want to use in Tools|Internet Options|Advanced and restart
all IE browsers. Here, courtesy of Michel Gallant, MVP Security, is a
tiny utility which allows you to toggle and view status of your current
Java VM vendor associated with IE:
http://pages.istar.ca/~neutron/SelectIEJVM

A note from Mitch Gallant:

"One note about the JVM Selector utility:
If/when you install a new version of Sun J2SE, you need to manually
select to have Sun JVM as default JVM for IE (in install), or after
install
via the JavaPlugin control panel. This generates the necessary win32
registry
entries, which must be present for the utility to know about JavaPlugin.
After that, the utility should work properly."



--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[Jim Byrd]

YW, Sir.

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[bell-lady]

Jim, all the tests (except one where the link failed) show my java as OK,
javascript test too.

I still can't run the games.msn.com, choose #12 Solitaire, Click on #1 play
online. Status bar says its trying to run javascript someting like "
/en/games/solitaire.htm" then some commas and arguments, perhaps spg? I
didn't catch all of it. Could you go there and check it out? If you know
exactly what it's trying to run, perhaps that'd help?

All I get is 2 advertisement blocks on the left with placeholders (red X),
and a big white SOLITAIRE box on the right with nothing at all in it. No
matter how long I wait...

Thanks again, guys.
Ann

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Bell-Lady - I tried it and got much the same thing. The ads appear to be
being blocked both by AdShield and by my HOSTS file, so that may account for
that. The main game window in the center was being blocked by my HOSTS
file. When I turned it (and AdShield) off, the window (and the ads) comes
up fine. Check your HOSTS file, here:

Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME = C:\WINDOWS


You can re-name it (toggle) conveniently by using this program:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/RenHosts.bat

Try using this to rename it to NOHOSTS, and then see if you can get to the
play frame. When you get finished, be sure that HOSTS is renamed to HOSTS
(all caps, no extension) to revert to normal (ad blocking) operation by
using RenHosts.bat again.

See if that helps, and please post back with your results.


--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[bell-lady]

Thanks, Jim. The hosts file was it. The next item that came up was do you
want to install Macromedia Flash Shield. I had to answer yes for it to work.

Thanks! and more questions??
1. How did you find out what to change - just experience and trial/error? Is
there a tool?
2. What is AdShield - is it part of XP or IE? I don't think I have it...is
that what created my hosts file, or how did I get one?
I don't think I had one awhile ago when I had a similar problem with yahoo
games, and resolved it by HijackThis and removing all trace of google
toolbar.
3. Is there no way to play most games without installing something I've
never heard of? Is it safe to do this? It did say the certificate was ok, or
something like that...

thanks again
Ann in PA

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Ann - YW- Re:

1. Once I saw what was happening, I just tried disabling those things which
I knew from experience might be the cause.

2. There are a variety of third party "Popup Killers" available. I normally
use AdShield, which, if you maintain its Block List every now and then,
almost totally stops this. In addition, it stops a variety of
ads/banners/etc. (particularly spyware like doubleclick) on pages I access.
This is probably all you'll need; however, I've also investigated a program
called webwasher which appears to be very good, but decided that AdShield
was sufficient. Toward the bottom of this answer after the AdShield
discussion, I'll add a list provided courtesy of bc_acadia of a number of
free popup blockers with links.

****** NOTE: As of 28 Apr 03 AdShield appears to have partnered with a new
reseller, and AdShield is no longer free. There is a trial version of
AdShield3; however, IMO it is seriously crippled in not being able to import
or export block lists and I think for reasonable utility one would have to
go to the full version. While I don't normally recommend non-free software,
I personally will continue to use AdShield3, since I think it is the best
currently available combined Popup/Ad/Malware blocker, but you should be
aware of the fact that it now costs, ($29.95), whereas the earlier versions
upon which I based my original recommendation were free, although not nearly
as capable as the AdShield3 release. I've included below links to both the
older free version and the new paid version. You'll have to investigate and
make your own choice in the matter. *******

Here are a number of AdShield-related links:

http://www.fsd1.org/technology/Files/AdShield.exe - AdShield1.2 (free)
http://www.internettechs.net/utilities/AdShield.exe - AdShield1.2 (free)
http://ftp.ural.ru/home/index/windows/networking/utils/AdShield -
AdShield1.2 (free)
http://www.megalog.ru/info/utilz/AdShield.zip - AdShield1.2 (free)
http://www.allstarss.com/store/adshield.html - AdShield3
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/block.txt - (Mike Burgess' .txt Block List
for AdShield)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/block.zip - Mike Burgess' Zipped Block List
for AdShield - Recommended)
http://adshield.briankass.com/blocklists.html (lists a number of blocklists)
http://adshield.briankass.com/blocklist.abl (brian's blocklist in .abl
format)
http://adshield.briankass.com/blocklist.txt (brian's blocklist in .txt
format)
http://www.songwave.com/software/adshield_blocklist.txt (40,000 pornsites
blocked - *VERY* large list - use at your own risk)
http://www.chrismyden.com/temp/block.abl (chrismyden's blocklist in .abl
format)
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm#AdShield (Eric Howes AGNIS
for AdShield block list - Recommended) (BTW, Eric's site contains a wealth
of very valuable information about all aspects of net security - Very Highly
Recommended)

There's also a new AdShield forum here:
http://users.boardnation.com/~adshield/index.php

Here's a good AdShield test site, courtesy of siljaline: "Make ***SURE***
you have your block scripted popups enabled
http://www.mediaboy.net/1010100-1100001-1111010/gahk/>>>> [Warning this URL
opens a multitude of Browser windows almost instantly]"

bc_acadia's list:

"Some popup blockers. All of these are 100% pure freeware, no trial
periods. Some of these do more than just handle popups.

Pow!: http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/pow.htm
NoAds: http://www.southbaypc.com/NoAds/
PopupEraser: http://www.webknacks.com/popuperaser.htm
Stop-the-Pop: http://www.bysoft.se/sureshot/stopthepop/index.html
Internet Organizer: http://www.sf.yucom.be/wdprojects/
PopKi: http://ranfo.com/popki.html
PopUpPopper: http://www.bayden.com/Popper/default.asp
PopUpKiller: http://sourceforge.net/projects/puk/
AdCruncher Proxy:
http://home.sprintmail.com/~dtrout/AdCruncher/ReadMe.html
KillAd: http://www.wplus.net/pp/fsc/
ClickOff: http://www.johanneshuebner.com/en/download.html
PopupBuster: http://www.popupbuster.com/PopUpBuster/
Free Surfer: http://www.kolumbus.fi/eero.muhonen/FS/
Window Shades: http://www.g-m-m.com/Software/WindowShades/index.php
AdShield (my personal favorite): http://www.adshield.org/
PopupStopper: http://www.panicware.com/popupstopper.html
Proxomitron (has learning curve): http://www.proxomitron.org/
For those who don't want third party stuff, your own pc's built-in
host file:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm and
http://www.smartin-designs.com/ and http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/


Here is a review of 61 popup killers, not all of them are free:
http://www.popup-killer-review.com/index.htm"

NOTE that this site also contains a good, comprehensive series of popup
killer tests. Some good additional tests are also available here:
http://www.webknacks.com/aptest.htm


Another good test page and lists of both free and cost popup blockers is
here: http://www.popuptest.com/ Recommended


I've no idea how you might have gotten an ad blocking HOSTS file installed.
You can find out more about this here:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm Note that if you keep it updated
using the appropriate file from this site, you'll also get substantial
protection against "malware" sites which can "hijack" your computer as well
as ads. In addition, you might want to consider installing the
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard here to help prevent this kind of thing and
other malware from happening in the future:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (Prevents malware Active
X installs) (BTW, SpyWare Blaster is not memory resident ... no CPU or
memory load - but keep it updated) The latest version as of this writing
will prevent installation or prevent the malware from running if it is
already installed, and it provides information and fixit-links for a variety
of parasites.
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html (Monitors for attempts to
install malware) Both Very Highly Recommended.

3. Flash is language/system for creating very dynamic presentations using
small amounts of code (which minimizes download times.) It can be used or
abused. Some folk don't like it or allow it on their machines. I don't
find it bothersome, and it does create some very nice effects, so I keep it
installed. Here's a resource with some useful links if you'd like to
investigate further: http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/flash/

BTW, I'm surprised that you had trouble with the Google Tool Bar. It's
usually quite stable, and offers a reasonably good (not AdShield good,
howeve) popup blocker. Normally recommended by me.

Any of this help any?

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[bell-lady]

Jim, that worked. With the hosts file out of the way, things work. But what
is Ad Shield, and how did I get it? It isn't on remove programs list...Is it
dangerous?

Thanks.
Ann

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Ann - Did you see my reply to your last post on 1/8?

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[bell-lady]

Yes, if you mean this post...

Hi Bell-Lady - I tried it and got much the same thing. The ads appear to be
being blocked both by AdShield and by my HOSTS file, so that may account for
that. The main game window in the center was being blocked by my HOSTS
file. When I turned it (and AdShield) off, the window (and the ads) comes
up fine. Check your HOSTS file, here:

Was this the one you meant...
Thanks for the 'how-to' - I needed that...and renaming the hosts file DID
work, just like you. (I did rename it back). Do I have to do that every time
I want to play a game?

And my question this time was how do I know if Ad Shield is running - I
don't have a remove option on CP; there is a AdShield folder in Program
Files but it is empty. I don't see any unknown processes in my XP that it
might be...Is it dangerous - should I worry about it, or just change my
hosts file out whenever I want to go to msn games!

Ann

 

[Jim Byrd]

Hi Ann - Nope, that's not the one, so I'll re-post it here:


1. Once I saw what was happening, I just tried disabling those things which
I knew from experience might be the cause.

2. There are a variety of third party "Popup Killers" available. I normally
use AdShield, which, if you maintain its Block List every now and then,
almost totally stops this. In addition, it stops a variety of
ads/banners/etc. (particularly spyware like doubleclick) on pages I access.
This is probably all you'll need; however, I've also investigated a program
called webwasher which appears to be very good, but decided that AdShield
was sufficient. Toward the bottom of this answer after the AdShield
discussion, I'll add a list provided courtesy of bc_acadia of a number of
free popup blockers with links.

****** NOTE: As of 28 Apr 03 AdShield appears to have partnered with a new
reseller, and AdShield is no longer free. There is a trial version of
AdShield3; however, IMO it is seriously crippled in not being able to import
or export block lists and I think for reasonable utility one would have to
go to the full version. While I don't normally recommend non-free software,
I personally will continue to use AdShield3, since I think it is the best
currently available combined Popup/Ad/Malware blocker, but you should be
aware of the fact that it now costs, ($29.95), whereas the earlier versions
upon which I based my original recommendation were free, although not nearly
as capable as the AdShield3 release. I've included below links to both the
older free version and the new paid version. You'll have to investigate and
make your own choice in the matter. *******

Here are a number of AdShield-related links:

http://www.fsd1.org/technology/Files/AdShield.exe - AdShield1.2 (free)
http://www.internettechs.net/utilities/AdShield.exe - AdShield1.2 (free)
http://ftp.ural.ru/home/index/windows/networking/utils/AdShield -
AdShield1.2 (free)
http://www.megalog.ru/info/utilz/AdShield.zip - AdShield1.2 (free)
http://www.allstarss.com/store/adshield.html - AdShield3
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/block.txt - (Mike Burgess' .txt Block List
for AdShield)
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/block.zip - Mike Burgess' Zipped Block List
for AdShield - Recommended)
http://adshield.briankass.com/blocklists.html (lists a number of blocklists)
http://adshield.briankass.com/blocklist.abl (brian's blocklist in .abl
format)
http://adshield.briankass.com/blocklist.txt (brian's blocklist in .txt
format)
http://www.songwave.com/software/adshield_blocklist.txt (40,000 pornsites
blocked - VERY large list - use at your own risk)
http://www.chrismyden.com/temp/block.abl (chrismyden's blocklist in .abl
format)
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm#AdShield (Eric Howes AGNIS
for AdShield block list - Recommended) (BTW, Eric's site contains a wealth
of very valuable information about all aspects of net security - Very Highly
Recommended)

There's also a new AdShield forum here:
http://users.boardnation.com/~adshield/index.php

Here's a good AdShield test site, courtesy of siljaline: "Make **SURE**
you have your block scripted popups enabled
http://www.mediaboy.net/1010100-1100001-1111010/gahk/>>>> [Warning this URL
opens a multitude of Browser windows almost instantly]"

bc_acadia's list:

"Some popup blockers. All of these are 100% pure freeware, no trial
periods. Some of these do more than just handle popups.

Pow!: http://www.analogx.com/contents/download/network/pow.htm
NoAds: http://www.southbaypc.com/NoAds/
PopupEraser: http://www.webknacks.com/popuperaser.htm
Stop-the-Pop: http://www.bysoft.se/sureshot/stopthepop/index.html
Internet Organizer: http://www.sf.yucom.be/wdprojects/
PopKi: http://ranfo.com/popki.html
PopUpPopper: http://www.bayden.com/Popper/default.asp
PopUpKiller: http://sourceforge.net/projects/puk/
AdCruncher Proxy:
http://home.sprintmail.com/~dtrout/AdCruncher/ReadMe.html
KillAd: http://www.wplus.net/pp/fsc/
ClickOff: http://www.johanneshuebner.com/en/download.html
PopupBuster: http://www.popupbuster.com/PopUpBuster/
Free Surfer: http://www.kolumbus.fi/eero.muhonen/FS/
Window Shades: http://www.g-m-m.com/Software/WindowShades/index.php
AdShield (my personal favorite): http://www.adshield.org/
PopupStopper: http://www.panicware.com/popupstopper.html
Proxomitron (has learning curve): http://www.proxomitron.org/
For those who don't want third party stuff, your own pc's built-in
host file:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm and
http://www.smartin-designs.com/ and http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/


Here is a review of 61 popup killers, not all of them are free:
http://www.popup-killer-review.com/index.htm"

NOTE that this site also contains a good, comprehensive series of popup
killer tests. Some good additional tests are also available here:
http://www.webknacks.com/aptest.htm


Another good test page and lists of both free and cost popup blockers is
here: http://www.popuptest.com/ Recommended


I've no idea how you might have gotten an ad blocking HOSTS file installed.
You can find out more about this here:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm Note that if you keep it updated
using the appropriate file from this site, you'll also get substantial
protection against "malware" sites which can "hijack" your computer as well
as ads. In addition, you might want to consider installing the
SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard here to help prevent this kind of thing and
other malware from happening in the future:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (Prevents malware Active
X installs) (BTW, SpyWare Blaster is not memory resident ... no CPU or
memory load - but keep it updated) The latest version as of this writing
will prevent installation or prevent the malware from running if it is
already installed, and it provides information and fixit-links for a variety
of parasites.
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareguard.html (Monitors for attempts to
install malware) Both Very Highly Recommended.

3. Flash is language/system for creating very dynamic presentations using
small amounts of code (which minimizes download times.) It can be used or
abused. Some folk don't like it or allow it on their machines. I don't
find it bothersome, and it does create some very nice effects, so I keep it
installed. Here's a resource with some useful links if you'd like to
investigate further: http://www.marketingterms.com/dictionary/flash/

BTW, I'm surprised that you had trouble with the Google Tool Bar. It's
usually quite stable, and offers a reasonably good (not AdShield good,
howeve) popup blocker. Normally recommended by me.

Any of this help any?

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

Thanks, Jim. The hosts file was it. The next item that came up was do you
want to install Macromedia Flash Shield. I had to answer yes for it to work.

Thanks! and more questions??
1. How did you find out what to change - just experience and trial/error? Is
there a tool?
2. What is AdShield - is it part of XP or IE? I don't think I have it...is
that what created my hosts file, or how did I get one?
I don't think I had one awhile ago when I had a similar problem with yahoo
games, and resolved it by HijackThis and removing all trace of google
toolbar.
3. Is there no way to play most games without installing something I've
never heard of? Is it safe to do this? It did say the certificate was ok, or
something like that...

thanks again
Ann in PA

--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP



In

 

[smoke ring-SASS]

www.safeguardprotect.com free: No pop ups since
installed. Blocks all pop up ads only, exept flash ads

-----Original Message-----
How to block Pop-ups?:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
How to block Pop-ups?:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm

Using ToolbarCop to remove the unwanted Toolband, Toolbar Icons and BHO:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

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