annoying (or dangerous) pop-ups

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• [Deleted User] Posts: 36,630

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  10/12/13 - 18:36 #2

  What version of Windows are you using?.
  
  Older versions of Windows came with a little service designed for network admins to send messages around the network to users. That little service got exploited by advertisers and malware writers to send pop ups when the internet became mainstream. It can mainly be a problem in Windows XP prior to Service Pack 2, but the service is no longer present in Windows Vista, 7 and 8.
  
  I presume you are on one of the later operating systems, but if you aren't and you are running a VERY old version of Windows, here's instructions on how to turn off the service:
  http://www.cezeo.com/tips-and-tricks/disable-messenger/
  
  If you are running XP SP2, Vista, 7 or Windows 8 then the problem is different, and you need to disable pop ups in Chrome. It's possible you have accidently disabled the pop up blocker. You can re-enable it, disable it, or manage what sites can and cannot launch pop ups by following Google's own instructions:
  https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95472?hl=en
  https://support.google.com/toolbar/answer/9171?hl=en
  
  Try blocking third party cookies too, instructions can be found here:
  https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?hl=en
  
  Consider a tool like CCleaner, which can remove all the rubbish left behind when you browse the web. CCleaner is free and can be downloaded here:
  https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner
  
  The US magazine PC World has a decent article on security in Google Chrome, which is worth a read:
  http://www.pcworld.com/article/2030873/google-chrome-best-security-tips-for-safer-browsing.html
  
  By the way, Google Chrome is your Internet browser. It isn't your server.

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• bri160356 Posts: 5,147

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  10/12/13 - 18:55 #3

  Anne-Sophie wrote: »

  For the last few days I am continually getting pop-up ads. They are Viewster and ukconsumer-research.
  
  I use Kaspersky Internet Security and I have scanned using Malwarebytes, Superantispyware and Spybot, all to no avail.
  
  I use Google Chrome as my server. Would changing to IE or Firefox help? Is this a dangerous virus?
  
  Please help.

  
  Having used Internet Explorer since the year dot as my default browser I’ve became increasing disillusioned by the ever more intrusive ‘ads/pop-ups/banners’ etc that abound on virtually all sites.
  
  I tried ‘AdBlock Plus’ on Internet Explorer but it was a little quirky and less than satisfactory. Indeed it rendered some sites virtually useless.
  
  However, a short while ago I started to use ‘Google Chrome’ as my default browser and coupled with ‘AdBlock Plus’ (Google Chrome version) I’ve found it to be nothing short of excellent.
  
  Download it free, from here;
  
  https://adblockplus.org/en/chrome

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• max99 Posts: 9,002

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  11/12/13 - 01:18 #4

  Reset Chrome:
  
  https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/3296214?hl=en
  
  Run AdwCleaner (click the 'Download Now @BleepingComputer' button and don't click any of the misleading adverts):
  
  http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/
  
  And as above, install Adblock Plus for Chrome.

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• Anne-Sophie Posts: 235

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  11/12/13 - 06:29 #5

  Thank you all for your replies. I have already installed Adblock Plus but I am still getting these same two pop-ups.
  
  I am using Windows7.
  
  I will try your other suggestions tomorrow and will let you know if they do the trick.

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