Search setting notification

Mr_BOOMBASTIC

Hi all you computer whizzez,

Does anyone know why and how to get rid of this ruddy balloon notification that keeps popping up every few seconds at the bottom right hand side of my computer it switches from one lot ot text to another and they read.

(first lot of text reads)
Search Settings Warning.
A program is making repeated attempts to change your browser settings

Click to stop this program from making more attempts.


(second lot of text reads)
Search Settings Notification
A program was blocked from changing your default search settings

Click to change your notification settings.

Any help would be great.

-TangleFoot-

There's something nasty on your PC. Do you have any security software installed besides the one that's informing you of the problem?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

looks like your firewall or anti virus is letting you know something is trying to get in, if you have a look in settings, you should find something like 'turn off balloon notification'.

dark1here

When a red warning light comes on, do you ignore it, take action or disconnect it?
The ballon is warning you that some sort of malware is trying either to open a port to send out data to another computer, or to open an incoming port for god knows what.

Your firewall is working, and I think you need to identify the program which is trying to get you to change the firewall settings... it may be quite legitimate, but you need to understand the message and either grant the request if legitimate, but if not zap the malware programme.

Mr_BOOMBASTIC

What is the best way of doing this? I have spybot, adaware on my computer and my anti virus is Mcafee.


Cheers

rsykes2000

I'd use https://www.malwarebytes.org in preference to spybot or adaware. Download, install, update and run it and see what happens, if it finds anything.

dogmaryxx

What firewall are you using?

Mr_BOOMBASTIC

I assume the standard fire wall that comes with windows XP.

Cheers

timmay2606

I agree with rsykes2000 - malwarebytes is excellent and i'd recommend installing it straightaway. I would also check your antivirus - if you are using an antivirus that requires a subscription every year it may have elapsed and started letting nasties through. Possibly look at switching to one of the free ones such as Avast or AVG. The fact that you don't pay for them doesn't make them any worse - they make their money through the corporate and public sectors.

Also ensure your firewall is turned on - even it your's just using Windows firewall.

If you want any advice on how to uninstall install these programs, let us know.

Cheers

Timmay2606

Mr_BOOMBASTIC

Cheers for all your help. I will install the program sugested.. Does anyone know of any free firewall programs i can use assuming the Windows one is a bit naff.


Thanks

timmay2606

Hi Mr Boombastic,

The windows firewall is normally fine when used in conjunction with AV & anti-malware/spyware.

In corporate land it won't cut the mustard but for a home user it's fairly solid. Don't be put off by folk suggesting that because it's MS it's liable to be hacked more than a proprietary firewall; as I said it's good so long as you have a complete security regime. If you're not overly techie it's also by far the easiest to use, just turn it on and let it do it's stuff.

If you really do want something proprietary, then I can also recommend using Zone Alarm (can't post link cause I'm a newbie - just google it and the firewall is in their Free Downloads section)

I've used it on my other PC for a few years now and found it to be more than suitable for purpose.

Hope that helps,

Timmay2606