surfsidekick.com and comcast

[mulester7]

.....boys, I'm at my wit's end and that was a short trip, haha....the bad part is I'm about as computer-literate as a brass doorknob, no kidding.....I used to have comcast cable as my server, and now have SouthWesternBell DSL....I have a decent amount of protection from McAfee for viruses, and have even downloaded a free popup blocker....here's my problem.....

....I click on most links, and everything freezes....I try to patiently wait, which is getting more difficult every day, and FINALLY pops up a FULL-SCREEN advertisement from surfsidekick.com, usualy pushing online gambling or sometimes other stuff.....and it usually quickly changes at the very top to reflect comcast was in the mix.....I have waited as long as 10 minutes for the crap to finally show, and am sick of finally deciding to kill the tower and come back.....

.....I'm convinced there are some guys here who can make a computer levitate....can anyone help me with this dilemma?, and please keep the doorknob reference in mind....

.....yes, I clear cookies, temp files, and defragment daily, to attempt to help this situation, and have deleted anything that said comcast from my programs....over.....

 

[Gatorchong]

Switch browsers. Don't use internet explorer, google Mozilla Firefox and download the latest version and use that instead. Also download Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy and run them weekly or daily depending on how slow your computer is moving. You can find both of those programs with google as well. That should do it.

 

[mulester7]

Switch browsers. Don't use internet explorer, google Mozilla Firefox and download the latest version and use that instead. Also download Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy and run them weekly or daily depending on how slow your computer is moving. You can find both of those programs with google as well. That should do it.

.....Gatorchong, many thanks for the response and suggestions....let me ask you this, will I lose my favorites list coming on with Mozilla Firefox?.....hey, I can roll with the flow to lose this problem, though....and running slow is not a problem....waiting for the 5-10 minute download is......

 

[mulester7]

.....all right, I'm speaking to you guys at this time through the best wishes of Mozilla Firefox browser-entry....can anyone tell me how to transfer my favorites list/bookmarks, from, internet explorer, to this here Mozilla Firefox?.....

.....(shore ain't seen much fire yet)......

 

[furrycute]

When you first install firefox, the installer should give you an option to import both IE and Netscape's bookmarks.


Firefox is great. I have been using it for the last couple of months. Haven't had a problem yet. But one virus already hijacked my IE without me even launching IE. Had to do some pretty creative work to get rid of that IE browser hijacker.

 

[mulester7]

When you first install firefox, the installer should give you an option to import both IE and Netscape's bookmarks.


Firefox is great. I have been using it for the last couple of months. Haven't had a problem yet. But one virus already hijacked my IE without me even launching IE. Had to do some pretty creative work to get rid of that IE browser hijacker.

.....ok, thanks, Furrycute, and next question....does my McAfee virus protection transfer to this here browser-winder?......

 

[furrycute]

Most virus writers specifically target the IE because IE is the most widely used browser in the world. They have little incentive to write viruses that will exploit the firefox simply because not nearly as many people use firefox.

I am not all that familiar with viruses and browsers, so I don't know if Macfee will specifically protect firefox. But I have had Macfee antivirus running the same time I have been running firefox, and the combo worked pretty well.

Also, like someone else already mentioned. Get adaware and spybot, and do periodic check ups to remove spyware.

Also get a good firewall such as the Norton or the Macfee firewall.

 

[philh]

Good advice on the Adaware. A lot of the time frozen browsers is caused by spware. AdAware and Spybot are excellent choices.

Firefox is not necessarily any safer then IE. I gives the perception of safety, because it's a much smaller target. As more and more people begin using FF, it will become a bigger issue.

Another thing to consider is a hardware router, that will also help block viruses. I maintain 4 computers in the house, and it's a constant challenge, especially with the kids clicking on everything that says click here!

Firefox should have transferred all the preferences.

 

[furrycute]

Microsoft has a beta antispyware program that is currently free. I used it once, seemed to work pretty well.

 

[Gatorchong]

McAfee is suppposed to work no matter what broser you use. You can also download a software firewall, I use one called Zone Alarm. There is a free version and a pay version. It lets you decide which programs have access to the internet. But a hardware firewall such as a router is a much better option if you can do it. It's true, Firefox doesn't have nearly as much attention paid to it by virus writers as IE, but for now it's definitely the better option IMO. Google Zone Alarm if you want to check it out. Good luck.

 

[mulester7]

.....thanks, guys....the gentleman will be called tomorrow who hooked both upstairs and downstairs up....I blew it good trying to do one of those systems move-back-a-few-days thing....didn't know that many icons could be on one page, haha....I was ready to run a CD-R today to reinstall the drivers from a website, and then discovered this computer upstairs won't burn without special software....I called Compaq support and was talking, sorta', to some woman in India....you think I'm kidding?....amazing, I have to talk to support people based in India for Compaq, and someone in The Philippines for sbcglobal....no offense, but I usually can't understand them any better than the Japanese guys in the photography mail-order houses in NY....oh well....the World's gettin' smaller.....

 

[claudermilk]

Firefox is the bse browser choice by far. I've been using it since 0.7 and avoid IE as much as possible (there asre still sites that only work with IE unfortunately). When you get Firefox, also grab the Adblock plugin.

For anti-spyware, use all of Adaware, Spybod, and the MS Antispyware. They all catch different nasties. If you think you may have something, look for HiJackThis and send the log file to one of the anitspyware forums (Spyware Warriro, CastleCops, etc); those people will help you get rid of the stuff, thye're on a crusade against that junk.

Antivirus software is independant of other internet software, so you are fine there. A firewall, either software based like Zone Alarm, or better hardware based is a very good idea.

You gotta love outsourcing the help centers to places where they don't speak the language & don't understand anything besides reading their scripts.

 

[mulester7]

.....well, guys, it done got worse....the computer upstairs done got contrary, I seem to in fact have the Midas Touch, and I'm coming to you, LIVE, this fine day from the NLR Library, haha....truth....

.....probably won't post much for a couple of days....(THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE)....(turds!)......

 

[MDS]

Mulester,
You've got yourself some nice adware and/or a virus there. IE is susceptible to those types of things if your security settings are low or you haven't been keeping up with security patches.

You need to follow some of the suggestions given so far for adware and spyware removal tools, but often you have to clean it all up manually. My sister had a similar virus recently that would always hi-jack the current page and send the browser to one specific page. It took me hours to talk her thru removal over the phone. If you don't know anyone with the skills to help with manual cleanup, your best bet is to backup all your applications and data and do a clean install.

You need at minimum, a good anti-virus program like Norton and a firewall, but note that a firewall (hardware or software) will NOT protect you from viruses, spyware, or adware - the majority come in via the browser and you have some control over what gets automatically installed by setting your security settings higher and not visiting suspect websites.

 

[Nomo]

You need at minimum, a good anti-virus program like Norton and a firewall, but note that a firewall (hardware or software) will NOT protect you from viruses, spyware, or adware - the majority come in via the browser and you have some control over what gets automatically installed by setting your security settings higher and not visiting suspect websites.

Mule,
MDS just gave you the best advise so far in this thead.
I'd suggest this package. It's what I use and I've had very little trouble since I've been using it:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6801794&type=product&id=1091099798994

 

[furrycute]

My IE was once hijacked by a virus called 7321 (or something like that). Man, I had the hardest time trying to get rid off it.

Adaware, Spybot, and Norton antivirus couldn't delete all the files. And everytime I reboot, all those damned deleted files would come back. Finally traced those files to /win32/downloaded applications directory, but you can't see those files, even if you had show invisible files enabled. And you can't delete them either.

Went online, someone suggested renaming those files then delete them. Didn't work. Finally found a boot disc program called "Bart PE," which installs a Windows preinstallation environment on a CD. Booted off the CD, deleted those files manually.


I hate those virus/spyware writers.


End rant.

 

[Mort Corey]

If your machine already has a virus of some sort you can go to http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and get a free cleaning and then install the above mentioned anti spyware programs. Some of these worms and such are pretty nasty and won't let you install certain anti virus software until they are eliminated first.

Mort (who hated McAfee)