h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some site keeps changing my homepage on internet explorer to
"about:blank" I normally have it on msn.co.uk. This happens every few minutes. I also keep getting wndows warning me about spyware and sometimes porn adverts. I already have spybot and adaware on but its not curing the problems. Can anyone help?

I cleaned my parents computer today with exactly the same problem, they have Norton AntiVirus though.

I think you'll find this person: U167550 Tal, very helpful though

If you copy your post above and go post it on his PS he is usually around each day.



AGB

You can still have Spybot and Adaware on your computer but still have spyware on there since they don't run all the time, and are next to useless if they're not regularly updated. If you use them in conjunction with a spyware blocker (like SpywareBlaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/products.html), the majority of offending tracking cookies/ spybots won't get installed to your computer in the first place.

To block the popups adverts, you'll either need a freeware ad blocker plugin for Internet Explorer, like the Google Toolbar for example, or get yourself a decent web browser with a built-in ad blocker such as Mozilla or Opera.

Thanks for the advice. My spybot and adaware are up to date. I have got anti popup on aol but not on internet explorer, how do I get anti pop up for IE.

Also, download Hijack This and post the lost if Adware and Spybot dont slove things.

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe

Thanks I already have hijack this and browser hijackeer blaster

You will need to download something like the Google Toolbar or Yahoo Toobar in order to get popup blocking in Internet Explorer, or there's loads of freeware ones to choose from here:

http://www.download.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=pop-up+blocker&tg=dl-2001&search.x=0&search.y=0&search=+Go%21+

Well in that case post your Hijack This log so anyone can see if they can spot anything.

If you are using all those products for the what appears to be the unsucessful attempt of stopping popups in IE, then you would have to ask yourself the question - why are you still using it? There are better alternatives out there.

Like Firefox for instance - I've been using it for well over a year - not a single popup, without having to install Adwhatever or Spywhat. It has popup blocker as default, as well as a whole host of other different and wonderful features.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

Stay ,
WD

WD is right on!

Firefox! Yes! Once you try it, you'll never go back to Intermittent Exploder The only thing you may find irritating is that you have to right click on the connectoid tray icon to explicitly disconnect from the 'net with Mozilla stuff.. (At least I have not discovered a method of automagically disconnecting once you close Mozilla apps, unlike IE or OE.. )

The Proxomitron is able to stop pop-ups, but it may be a little daunting to set it up. I think there are a few freeware pop-up stoppers, however, I have not used any of them.

Also.. Spybot Search & Destroy can perhaps help with the spyware.

Go here: http://www.spybot.info/

Mozilla Thunderbird is a superior replacement for M$ Outlook Express, so you should consider grabbing it as well.

BTW, your home page should be http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/, not MSN

Oh, and while you're at it, grab a decent (free) software firewall, such as Agnitum Outpost, Zonalarm or the older version of Kerio (2.1.5) Visit GRC.com for some helpful hints, and some tiny free apps specific to plugging some of XPs gaping security holes

Good luck

about:blank Well Norton firewall means nowt to it so what is it doing?

As for pop-up blocker yahoo companion also has a blocker, but this may be better...

Start > Run > services.msc
Double click Messenger on the list.
Click Stop - to kill current.
Click Disabled for Startup type.
Close.

I'll throw my hat in for Firefox support. Best thing you can do really. Doesn't crash even unless you're work horsing your pc. 3 crashes in a couple of months, compeared to more than that a day with IE, no contest.

So fun having blocked that annoying banner at the top of the page as well. :D

...and Firefox comes with tabbed browsing, and you can change the way it looks....

In fact, the question you should ask yourself should be 'why *am* I staying with IE?'

Stay ,
WD

While the Firefox clan is here, can I mention that I have some trouble with mine working over a wireless connection?

Whenever I open it up, the connection becomes unstable - it goes and comes unexpectedly, unless I have a IE window open as well, when it is steady as a rock.

Any ideas why this might be happening, and what I can do about it?

...because the dickheads running 'UK Online' know no better.

Just about every PC has a different set of software on it. Some has RealPlayer, some don't. Mainy old versions that need an update... You can't update because the "internet security" won't llow that.

Some PC's have the town's page as the home page, some don't.

Some have toolbars, some don't.

Non of them have any ftp facility. So forget using the 'fast' connection to download drivers, instad of home dial-up.

Strange how the 'staff' PC has all kinds off stuff on, like incredimail etc. etc. yet nobody else can have this.

*If* we could have a toolbar, like www.companion.yahoo.co.uk then people could save 'bookmarks' not favorites, so it would not matter which PC they sit at next session.

Give people a choice of browser, whatever happend to all the Netscape shortcuts? Who deleted them?

Write a note, stick it in a bottle and chuck it in the sea... You stand a better chance of getting a connection with the recipiant than Explorer not crashing with timed out.

Jimbob - there's a new version of Firefox which went out about two days ago - have a go with that and see if it makes any difference

http://sourceforge.net/projects/akiller/

For those who insist on IE, this looks to be a good bet for a pop-up killer.

If you don't use Messenger, download and run 'Shoot The Messenger' from GRC.com. (As well as the other XP-related tools on the site)

Jimbob, have you tested Firefox on a wired one, either dial-up or cable? Have you checked for a Trojan? Sounds like something is attempting to use IE, and destablising your connection if IE is not running.

You could try another browser, just to see what happens -- QBrowser from http://www.wolosoft.com/en/ Not as as Firefox, but very small, (just a tad over 1MB dowload), stable and fast.

Jab, think of it as an educational opportunity to introduce people to Firefox

Cheers Witty, I'll have a go at that over the weekend.

I thought maybe it was XP trying to sabotage it...

Have a good weekend everyone!

Or you could try Opera,

http://www.opera.com/download/

The free version has a small advert banner - however, that's as far as the adverts go - it too is popup free. In fact, there is something on h2g2 about opera:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/A665381

Stay ,
WD

Wow! 10 whole posts until someone recommended Mozilla, and 19 until Opera. A h2g2 record!

B