Pop-ups and P2P Problems

[Edward]

I have a Sony VAIO desktop (2 yrs old) and Windows XP
Professional. My computer is shared within my family.
My daughter loaded Kaaza desktop to her desktop, but
somehow I now have it on mine as well. Since Kaaza was
loaded, I now receive an overload of pop-ups. I also
somehow have a message about p2p networking coming up
(server can't start over) about every 60 seconds. I
have performed a file search on p2p and have found files
related to this. I have run a PC-cillin virus check
with no viruses found.

My questions...

1) Should I delete the p2p files or are they a part of XP
Professional?
2) How do I stop the pop-ups and p2p network message from
re-ocurring?
3) I believe XP has a firewall. I thought it was
engaged, but how do I check this. Will it provide the
security I am looking for?
4) Should I buy another firewall or security device to
prevent these problems and reduce my security risk? If
so, which software?

I appreciate any support to resolve these problems.
Please send to e-mail address: (e-mail address removed)

Thanks,

Edward

 

[randwulf57]

Edward:
KazAaa is loaded with spyware and is also likely the cause of the p2p
network message. Uninstall KaZaa. Download/update/run Ad-Aware from
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ to find and remove leftovers from KaZaa as well
as other spyware pests. You may also want to research the topic of music
piracy through file-sharing programs such as KaZaa and current legal action
being taken to curtail it. The topics of spyware, internet security, XP
firewall are covered in-depth on many internet sites. A good place to start
your search is http://www.google.com
randwulf57

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

To deal with any sort of "adware" and/or "spyware," such as
Gator, Comet Cursors, Bonzai Buddy, or KaZaA that you've deliberately
(but without understanding the consequences) installed, two products
that are quite effective (at finding and removing this type of
scumware) are Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and SpyBot Search &
Destroy from http://security.kolla.de/. Both have free evaluation
versions. It's even possible to use SpyBot Search & Destroy to
"immunize" your system against most future intrusions. I use both and
generally perform manual scans every week or so to clean out cookies,
etc.


Bruce Chambers

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