Still Getting Pop Ups

chateauneufdupape

I have tried the steps in the Malware/Spyware Removal Guide apart from using Microsoft Winows Defender which requires service pack 2 installed. I do not wish to install this as it has caused major problems for me. I have run scans with Adaware, SpyBot, Ewido and CC cleaner, on safe mode and have turned off system restore. I have run housecall and it removed several items. However, I am still getting pop ups. The pop ups only seem to appear when I start IE and not whilst I am surfing. Any thoughts?

996ducati

Do you use Windows Messenger?

chateauneufdupape

yes I do. I have been using it for a while with no problems. The pop ups have only just started.

Skint1

Try deleting your cookies. Download ccleaner. It will help if you aren't sure
Joe

chateauneufdupape

Thanks Joe, but have already used CCcleaner.

chateauneufdupape

I have just rebooted and the problem seems to have gone. Hopefully it will not return. Thanks for your help.

Browntoa

there are 2 messenger programs, Windows Messenger + MSN messenger. The Windows Messenger on can allow pop ups on SP1 machines (was turned off by default in SP2)

How to Disable Windows Messenger Service

http://www.itc.virginia.edu/desktop/docs/messagepopup/

pchelpman

Get rid of Windows Messenger Service. The problem is that it can be used by unscrupulous spammers to send you an untraceable pop-up message even if your Internet Explorer is closed. Even worse a hacker can use the Windows Messenger Service to break into your computer and do all sort of nasty things "including installing programs, viewing, changing or deleting data or creating new accounts with full privileges." :mad:

Source: Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043 at http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS03-043.mspx

Alfonso_Skinarelli

chateauneufdupape wrote:

Microsoft Winows Defender which requires service pack 2 installed. I do not wish to install this as it has caused major problems for me.

You'll have even bigger problems before too long if you don't install SP2. Service Pack 2 is classed as a Critical Update. In other words, it patches various wide open holes in your operating system which malware can take advantage of without your knowledge just by clicking on the wrong thing in a web page.

What problems has SP2 caused you in the past?

chateauneufdupape

SP2 caused major failure of many systems and programmes. System restore no longer worked, search function did not work and many other issues. I ended up reinstalling Windows and starting from scratch with SP1. There seemed to be a lot of issues with the AMD 64. I don't know if these have been resolved yet.

Alfonso_Skinarelli

Unless anyone else knows any different, I'd say your pretty safe with SP2 and AMD 64 now. The processor has been out for quite some time. Certainly long enough for AMD to iron out any issues with SP2. The most important thing is to ensure your computer is completely free of malware before installing SP2 otherwise it can cause serious problems with the installation.

Bare in mind that with Microsoft support coming to an end in a few months time for SP1 users, you're going to have a very vulnerable computer in the future (more so than it is now).