Unwanted pop-ups

[David Venables]

Hi,

I have been using Firefox for some time now but recently I keep getting
advertisements appearing (normally offering free stuff). In the options the
'pop-up blocker' is marked on and there are no website exceptions. I haven't
noticed it happening on any websites I have visited in particular.

I have anti-spyware which I use weekly. This shows no problems.

Is it possible I have an add-on which is allowing this to happen?

I am using Vista Home Premium SP1.

I posted this question on mozilla.support.firefox a couple of days ago, but
having received no replies, thought I would try this newsgroup.

Thanks in advance for any help.

David

 

[Mick Murphy]

Try scanning with these 2 Programs:

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6 is a very good, FREE Anti-Spyware Program.
Download, install, update, and immunize your System with it.
Then SCAN with it.
Update it, and scan your System once a fortnight.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Malwarebytes is as the name says, a Malware Remover!
For the Free version scroll down their page to either download from
Download.com, or Major Geeks.com

Download, install, and update

 

[Charlie42]

I have been using Firefox for some time now but recently I keep
getting advertisements appearing (normally offering free stuff). In
the options the 'pop-up blocker' is marked on and there are no
website exceptions. I haven't noticed it happening on any websites
I have visited in particular.

I have anti-spyware which I use weekly. This shows no problems.

You may have attracted ad or spyware, even if your anti-spyware does not
report it. The fact that the advertisements seem to pop up in a random
pattern, indicates malware. Do NOT download the offered "free" stuff. It is
neither free nor safe.

In general, anti-spyware programs have insufficient detection rates, so it
is a good idea to download and scan with one or two extra programs. They may
catch what has been missed by your current program. You can give
Superantispyware, Spybot S&D or Ad-aware a try.

Is it possible I have an add-on which is allowing this to happen?

Possibly. If so, it is adware or spyware, and may not show up in the add-ons
listed.

I posted this question on mozilla.support.firefox a couple of days
ago, but having received no replies, thought I would try this
newsgroup.

Better still, post in microsoft.public.windows.vista.security. There you can
get better advice on malware removal.

Charlie42