Random, pop-up like IE windows: how can I stop this?

[Ken Litwak]

Probably because my son installed some add-ons (although they were in
Firefox), our computer has started randomly displaying IE windows to
sites we've never heard of. This happens even when there is no other
browser window open. Since I assume there's an executable doing this, I
tried to do a system restore,but the only dates I could get to are today
and yesterday. Clicking the calendar to go back to September did
nothing. Aren't there supposed to be new restore points created
automatically all the time? I've never seen an XP system that doesn't
have a whole bunch of restore points.

What can I do now? I also set IE to have the highest popup blocking
but that didn't help either. How can I find out what is dong this? How
can I get regular restore points set? Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Probably because my son installed some add-ons (although they were in
Firefox), our computer has started randomly displaying IE windows to
sites we've never heard of. This happens even when there is no other
browser window open. Since I assume there's an executable doing this, I
tried to do a system restore,but the only dates I could get to are today
and yesterday. Clicking the calendar to go back to September did
nothing. Aren't there supposed to be new restore points created
automatically all the time? I've never seen an XP system that doesn't
have a whole bunch of restore points.

What can I do now? I also set IE to have the highest popup blocking
but that didn't help either. How can I find out what is dong this? How
can I get regular restore points set? Thanks.

Go through these Cleaning steps:
1... First, try to clean up your caches, Internet files and delete cookies
by doing this:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> Double click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options.
On the IE properties windows you will see these Taps:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs |
Advanced
Under General Tab clear your History, Internet Files and Cookies.
Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
Then click on Programs Tab and click Manage Add-Ons and Disable all non
Verified Add-Ons (You should Renable them later one-by-one and see the
culprit and update it or remove it.
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-gb/default.htm?s_cid=sah
http://onecare.live.com/standard/en-gb/default.htm
Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html
Lots of tools to download and disinfect your machine:
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Downloads/browseFreeRemovalTool/

2- Download the Hijackthis and send the report to one of many
forums for analysis and troubleshooting:
http://www.merijn.org/index.php
When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware. Post
your log to http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7, or other appropriate
forums for expert analysis, not here.
Any error message, have a look in the event viewer and post them here.
HTH.
nass