Help please, unwanted porn.

[LadyInBed]

Re: Link doesnt work

Sorry about that, it does for me!
http://spybot.safer-networking.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
l'escargot's link will do just as well.

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[uforea]

Re: To clarify

Yes Kim that is correct. I think I may have inadvertently caused some confusion. I was spamed at the exact moment that I tried to read my PM.

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[cp99]

for AJW

I was in the same situation and my email address was basically unusable. Then I installed SpamNet, and it blocks about 98% of them. It's an add-on for MS Outlook (the Office version of Outlook Express) and won't work otherwise. They charge by the month for it now they have a monster user base, but you might still be able to find the free version around (ask me nicely). It's fit and forget, by the way.

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[Hushinish]

8 STEPS, NO COST INVOLVED

Assuming you are using Internet Explorer,
1. Click on TOOLS
2.Click on internet options
3. Click on Connections
4. Click on your isp connection i.e. freeserve
5. Click on SETTINGS Button
6.Hit PROPERTIES button next to your user name.
7. Click on ADVANCED tab
8. Click on the box marked Internet Connection Firewall.

Hey presto !!! You will no longer recieve those embarrasing and annoying messages!!!

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[l'escargot]

Re: 8 STEPS, NO COST INVOLVED

Only if you have XP and it is only a partial defense against future attacks, not necessarily ad/spyware or anything already on your computer.
A firewall is not a substitute for anti virus protection and will not defend against e mail or web borne (such as downloads) problems, which by definition you allow through a firewall.

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[Hushinish]

Re: 8 STEPS, NO COST INVOLVED

That was the advice that Freeserve gave me. As I understand it the original poster was suffering from unwanted messages while using the internet, not email. I use Macfee anti virus software, but these annoying messages inviting me to visit various sites still got through enmasse until I followed the above 8 steps. I am on XP, but don't remember that being a criterea. It was a huge relief when they were stopped.

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[l'escargot]

Re: 8 STEPS, NO COST INVOLVED

XP is the first MS system with a firewall, 98 and before didn't have one, so you would need to download a stand alone one such as Zonealarm (which is generally thought of as a better product than Windows own).
Small parasitic programmes can come in with e mail, downloads and from visiting certain sites and these will come through your firewall, as will pop ups and messenger ads. A firewall "hides" your computer from random attacks but some of these problems come in with other products or trick you into effectively "inviting" them in The only sure way of avoiding all types is effective spy/ad ware programmes to catch those that get through the basic defences, and Spybot will actually "inoculate" your computer to prevent infection. Give it a try, I would be suprised if it didn't find anything on your computer, but do read the instructions before you delete anything. (I don't work for them and I'm not on commission!)

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[AuntyRinum]

I use a firewall sold by Zone Labs which solves all the problems I've seen posted here so far.

http://www.zonelabs.com/

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[Bladerunner]

Your computer may have been infected by a 'backdoor, trojan'. Try getting up to date anti-virus software. Run the computer in 'safemode' and use the anti-virus software. If you find anything you probably wont be able to delete it. Just quarantine it and things should get back to normal.

<hr width=100% size=1> Tu ne quaesieris, scire nefas

 

[Aramas]

There's a few things that everyone should know about spam. While spammers are invariably vile creatures who are not much better than politicians and lawyers, most of them do try to do the right thing. At the end of most spam email is a link that can be used to unsubscribe from their mailing list.
Be warned, however, that the less scrupulous spammers either use a dummy address, or use it to confirm delivery - a signal to escalate the spam. Most spammers use bots to generate email accounts and then close them so they can't be returned. They also generate names and subjects. Most email programs have built in spam control that allow blocking of email by address, sender, subject or content. So if you find yourself getting the same email over and over, just copy a line from it and use it to block - you'll never see it again.
Another problem specific to XP is messenger spam. It's not MSN messenger, but rather a system intended for system wide messages by administrators. It can be fixed by going into network properties and enabling XP's native firewall, which for some bizarre reason known only to MS, is off by default. In the first year of using XP I averaged about 1 messenger spam a month. Just before I fixed it I was getting up to 5 an hour. They use port sniffing bots to find an open port, then spam the crap out of it.
The best protection is to use a transient email address like yahoo or hotmail, then just close it and start a new one when it gets spammed. Be careful about giving out your email address, and make sure you use a unique nickname. The uni that I'm at uses Firstname.Lastname@xxx.edu, and the spam got so bad that the system was slowed to a crawl for weeks, and they had to get hotshots in to spamproof it. Once they get hold of your isp's email address, it can be quite distressing trying to get rid of it.
These days we need a firewall. The best freebie one I've found is from http://www.sygate.com

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[uforea]

Thanks to all for the help etc. As the majority of you recommended Spybot that is what I have downloaded. I have run it for about 5 days now but the situation has not changed at all, if anything it has got worse. I can spend any amount of time on various sites on the net. ie, Ebay, Loot. Fortune city,etc, etc, without getting spammed. As soon as I enter YBW.com I get it!!!!!!

This all appears to have started when an E-mail was downloaded with an attachment. Any ideas???

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[l'escargot]

Does it come up in an Internet Explorer window, some of these pop ups can be sent in MSN Messenger, but they will come up in a different type of window and there are different methods of stopping them.
As a last resort, if you still have the e mail with the attachment you think has caused this, send me a PM and I will send you my e mail address and I will see if I can identify the attachment.

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[IanBry]

Try Ad-aware by Lavasoft (free download)

It is very good at finding/removing such things. Also remember to update your Antivirus software as this may help.

You could also try the Google Toolbar. This simplifies internet searches and the latest version has a built in pop-up stopper which works a treat /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by IanBry on 10/08/2003 21:44 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[uforea]

Thanks for your reply. I do not have the Email but I may be able to get a copy from the original source. I have just downloaded a popup stopper to see if that will help. This really is becoming a nuisance as I enjoy the forum but get very fed up with the filth.

Thanks Ted.

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[h4nym]

Uforea

If you're getting pop-ups while on reputable sites like - for example - this site (I speak of the sponsorship rather than necessarily the content!), it's likely nothing to do with firewalling / anti-virus etc. Despite the validity of most that has been written here on them.

What's probably happened is that you've managed to get some spyware/adware installed on your system - either as part of installing some software which carried this crap within it's payload or as the result of a malicious eMail / website. Spyware is software that records your (primarily internet) activity, reports that back to a central site who then - better appraised of your interests - can send u whatever crap they deem relevant. Adware is less discriminating - it just fires up popper windows with whatever it's sponsors and authors want to tell people about.

Installing a firewall or anti-virus now is very akin to shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Here, tho, the problem is that even if the horse returns, there's a little wedge that keeps that door nicely open whatever you try to do.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.lavasoft.nu/support/download/>Ad-aware from lavasoft</A> u can safely install and it will have a wander around your PC and clear the spyware / adware that you've got on your system. Basic flavour is free, but there are more powerful versions available should you feel moved to spend some money!

Hope this helps

Hany

PS I write after spending the day - well the morning (afternoon was on the river!) - sorting out clients who got hit by the blaster worm today. Those who though they knew better than our recommended configurations! Oh well!

<hr width=100% size=1>Life balance?

 

[charles_reed]

It's quite interesting that, despite auto-update from the 2000 OS onwards, people didn't download the patch which Microsoft produced on the 17 July.

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[pugwash]

Re: 8 STEPS, NO COST INVOLVED

Sounds great but dDoesn't work if you're on broadband. Any other ideas?

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[uforea]

Thanks for your interest and suggestions. I installed Spybot on Monday night and I had a spam free session last night for the first time in weeks. Tonight tho. I have been spammed several times already. The computor has been in use for most of the day on other internet sites with no bother at all. I will try take your advice which I think was also posted by another member. Thanks again for your interest.

Ted.

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[l'escargot]

Have a look here <A target="_blank" HREF=http://grc.com/default.htm>http://grc.com/default.htm</A> and specifically try "Shoot the Messenger". This chap's been about years and produces some useful stuff.

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