Pop Ups

[Turkeytop]

Just recently my computer has become plagued with pop up ads. A lot of things that don't interest me. Online gambling sites. Or "Hot women in your area looking for men."

"Your computer has 3 viruses. Click here to fix them."

These aren't big pop ups blocking the screen. They're small and appear in the top right side of the screen. Sometimes I don't even notice them until I try to close the window I'm currently in. Then. they're covering up the close button. I have to keep on closing all the pop ups. It seems every time I close one. there's another behind it I have to close too.

Is there anything I can do about this?

[SolarMax]

Most browsers have a Privacy or Security setting to block pop-ups, maybe yours does and it got changed. What are you using? Have you tried using a different browser, or an ad blocker?

[Turkeytop]

I've been using google chrome. I like it. But I just now switched over to firefox and no more pop ups.

[Turkeytop]

I thought using Firefox had solved the problem, but they're back.

[Deleted User 14896]

I've been using google chrome. I like it. But I just now switched over to firefox and no more pop ups.

I use the original Google.
Unlike Chrome, it can be set to automatically delete cookies, browsing history, any passwords, and many other things, every time I close the browser.
I'm not saying it's not the safest surfing browser, but I like that enough to stick with it.

[MWmetalhead]

Turkeytop,

Looks like your computer has been infected with malware. I suggest downloading the free version of Malware Bytes (https://www.malwarebytes.com) and running a full scan.

Authorize it to remove (delete) any & all files it identifies as malware / bloatware upon completion of the scan.

If you already have Anti-Virus software on your computer, decline the trial of the deluxe version of Malware Bytes, since it could cause a conflict with your existing A-V software.

[TC Talks]

Malware bytes is the way to go.

[Turkeytop]

So I ran it and it generated this report. What do I do next? Click on quarantine?

[tapeisrolling]

I always 'Quarantine' mine but I also run the app uBlock Origin thru the Firefox add ons.

[MWmetalhead]

YES - definitely Quarantine those files! Then, reboot your machine and run a new scan to make sure everything comes back clean.

[Turkeytop]

It's now been about 12 hours since I did the quarantine and it looks like it worked. No more pop ups. No more hot women wanting to meet me.

[TC Talks]

We should have warned you that was the down side to Malware bytes...

[Turkeytop]

They're back. Not just the hot women. Now I'm winning money. I won $4700.00. All I have to do is click to get the details.

[MWmetalhead]

Your computer got reinfected. What type of Anti-Virus software do you use? Also, do you have a Firewall of some sort in place? (If not, you should!)

As an additional precaution, I would recommend rebooting your router. Do a factory reset by depressing the small "reset" button - you will probably need a pencil or unfolded paper clip to do so.

[bmw]

At this point you might want to download and run a program called COMBOFIX. It is my go-to program for particularly pesky infections.

Just download it, run it, and let it do its thing.