POP-UPS: Computer Friendly People HELP!

[High Threshold]

I just bought a new computer with Windows 8 and I'm using Google Chrome server. I understand very little about computers, or the Internet, so I'm hoping someone will tell what to do.

Within a few minutes of use I'm getting up to 10 pop-up adverts, obscuring the view of whatever I might be trying to read. It then asks for confirmation when I try to click it OFF. No bloody confirmation needed for putting it ON however! I've only had this computer a week and I'm about to put my f*ing fist through the monitor. Please prevent me from doing that.

[Oscar Namechange]

I'm soo glad you brought this up.... me too !!!!!!

[Týr]

High Threshold;1455602 wrote: I just bought a new computer with Windows 8 and I'm using Google Chrome server. I understand very little about computers, or the Internet, so I'm hoping someone will tell what to do.

Within a few minutes of use I'm getting up to 10 pop-up adverts, obscuring the view of whatever I might be trying to read. It then asks for confirmation when I try to click it OFF. No bloody confirmation needed for putting it ON however! I've only had this computer a week and I'm about to put my f*ing fist through the monitor. Please prevent me from doing that.


I doubt very much whether your PC was doing this when it arrived new in its packaging. I think it's a consequence of your subsequent use, and very likely a result of something you downloaded and installed from an untrustworthy source. Were it mine, I'd re-install from the factory default setup partition and try again from scratch.

[tude dog]

I just learned to suffer through it.

Find the 'X' or [close] fast as I can, assuming it isn't traveling up or down the screen.

[tude dog]

Týr;1455608 wrote: I doubt very much whether your PC was doing this when it arrived new in its packaging. I think it's a consequence of your subsequent use, and very likely a result of something you downloaded and installed from an untrustworthy source. Were it mine, I'd re-install from the factory default setup partition and try again from scratch.


Oh, you know what, I think my annoyances are nothing like described.

Since it is new, sounds like good advice to me. Caution, I am just a key pounder.

[Bruv]

tude dog;1455611 wrote: Caution, I am just a key pounder.


At last....................

[Mustang]

High Threshold;1455602 wrote: I just bought a new computer with Windows 8 and I'm using Google Chrome server. I understand very little about computers, or the Internet, so I'm hoping someone will tell what to do.

Within a few minutes of use I'm getting up to 10 pop-up adverts, obscuring the view of whatever I might be trying to read. It then asks for confirmation when I try to click it OFF. No bloody confirmation needed for putting it ON however! I've only had this computer a week and I'm about to put my f*ing fist through the monitor. Please prevent me from doing that.


You have to tweak your settings.

Go to Chrome settings, scroll down to "Privacy", click on "content settings".

Scroll down in that until you reach "Pop-ups."

Mark "do not allow any site to show pop-ups."

[Týr]

Mustang;1455631 wrote: You have to tweak your settings.

Go to Chrome settings, scroll down to "Privacy", click on "content settings".

Scroll down in that until you reach "Pop-ups."

Mark "do not allow any site to show pop-ups."


I'm not sure I much like the notion. The trouble is that many legitimate sites pop-up with good reason, and blocking the functionality wrecks activities like, for example, banking validation. The excess pop-ups are simply due to adware and rogue toolbars having been infiltrated onto the machine, and a factory reset is just so much quicker than trying to nail down all the sprung boards.

[LarsMac]

Mustang;1455631 wrote: You have to tweak your settings.

Go to Chrome settings, scroll down to "Privacy", click on "content settings".

Scroll down in that until you reach "Pop-ups."

Mark "do not allow any site to show pop-ups."


That works.

Also, look into AdBlock.

It's freeware. Send them a few bucks if you like it.

[Mustang]

Týr;1455639 wrote: I'm not sure I much like the notion. The trouble is that many legitimate sites pop-up with good reason, and blocking the functionality wrecks activities like, for example, banking validation. The excess pop-ups are simply due to adware and rogue toolbars having been infiltrated onto the machine, and a factory reset is just so much quicker than trying to nail down all the sprung boards.


I like it just fine. I've never had any problem with bank validation or anything else.

[Týr]

Mustang;1455656 wrote: I like it just fine. I've never had any problem with bank validation or anything else.


But then, you've never blocked pop-ups either. When you write "I like it just fine", what does "it" mean? If "it" is Chrome or Windows 8 then fine, so do I. The notion I said I dislike is tweaking the browser settings to "do not allow any site to show pop-ups".

[Mustang]

Týr;1455661 wrote: But then, you've never blocked pop-ups either. When you write "I like it just fine", what does "it" mean? If "it" is Chrome or Windows 8 then fine, so do I. The notion I said I dislike is tweaking your settings to "do not allow any site to show pop-ups".


Yes, I understood what you stated. I like the option in bold above and do use it.

[Týr]

Mustang;1455663 wrote: Yes, I understood what you stated. I like the option in bold above and do use it.


Perhaps it's a Europe thing. Whenever I use my Visa Debit card for an online purchase, for example, a pop-up from the issuer asks me card-specific validation details before authorizing the seller to proceed. Pop-up blockers interfere with that process and result in a rejected transaction.

[LarsMac]

Týr;1455668 wrote: Perhaps it's a Europe thing. Whenever I use my Visa Debit card for an online purchase, for example, a pop-up from the issuer asks me card-specific validation details before authorizing the seller to proceed. Pop-up blockers interfere with that process and result in a rejected transaction.


It is simple enough to then go to the settings and allow pop-ups for the specific site the first time you hit it, and then never worry about it, again.

[High Threshold]

Týr;1455608 wrote: I doubt very much whether your PC was doing this when it arrived new in its packaging. I think it's a consequence of your subsequent use, and very likely a result of something you downloaded and installed from an untrustworthy source. Were it mine, I'd re-install from the factory default setup partition and try again from scratch.


Mustang;1455631 wrote: You have to tweak your settings.

Go to Chrome settings, scroll down to "Privacy", click on "content settings".

Scroll down in that until you reach "Pop-ups."

Mark "do not allow any site to show pop-ups."

..........

I've never had any problem with bank validation or anything else.


Thanks guys! I think I'll try the factory resetting first and if that doesn't do the trick I'll try the block pop-up trick! :):)

By the way, me describing it as "pop-ups" might not be the computer savvy way to put it ..... it's actually whole, additional pages/sites .... or whatever the right word for it is in English. Know what I mean?

[High Threshold]

Now I'm stymied. I did some reading up on the problem and have pretty much concluded that my computer suffers from PUP's. So I started up McAfee anti-virus and put it on Full Scan. After 3 hours it was 99% finished and had already detected 3 PUP's. So I let it run while I went out to do a few errands in town. I'm back and it is now 6 hours into the anti-scan and it still shows 99% finished. Something is not right here. But OK I read the instructions and learned that I can leave the 3 PUP's in quarantine or removed them, so I thinks, REMOVE THEM! But, nothing will be place into quarantine until the scan is complete and only then can I get to the removal functions anyway!!! So I'm between a rock and a hard place. I even tried cancelling the scan to see if I could at least toss these PUP's out - but ..... the cancel button doesn't work! My options at this moment are to leave it run or shut off the computer. Wonderful choices those are! :-5

[Týr]

LarsMac;1455678 wrote: It is simple enough to then go to the settings and allow pop-ups for the specific site the first time you hit it, and then never worry about it, again.


I tend to use more than one browser on more than one machine, white-listing on the permutations is just plain tiresome. The trick is not to allow the adware and proprietary toolbars onto any computer in the first place, and to reset the errant machine if it starts behaving badly. I agree one can whitelist site by site on each browser that needs access. One can also keep a clean machine too.

[LarsMac]

High Threshold;1455695 wrote: Now I'm stymied. I did some reading up on the problem and have pretty much concluded that my computer suffers from PUP's. So I started up McAfee anti-virus and put it on Full Scan. After 3 hours it was 99% finished and had already detected 3 PUP's. So I let it run while I went out to do a few errands in town. I'm back and it is now 6 hours into the anti-scan and it still shows 99% finished. Something is not right here. But OK I read the instructions and learned that I can leave the 3 PUP's in quarantine or removed them, so I thinks, REMOVE THEM! But, nothing will be place into quarantine until the scan is complete and only then can I get to the removal functions anyway!!! So I'm between a rock and a hard place. I even tried cancelling the scan to see if I could at least toss these PUP's out - but ..... the cancel button doesn't work! My options at this moment are to leave it run or shut off the computer. Wonderful choices those are! :-5


Then you are back to Týr 's original suggestion.

What kind of sites have you been visiting?

[LarsMac]

Týr;1455696 wrote: I tend to use more than one browser on more than one machine, white-listing on the permutations is just plain tiresome. The trick is not to allow the adware and proprietary toolbars onto any computer in the first place, and to reset the errant machine if it starts behaving badly. I agree one can whitelist site by site on each browser that needs access. One can also keep a clean machine too.


I do the same, and I agree with you.

You have to be completely mindful. Stay away from dodgy sites, and NEVER allow any site to install some widget or other "to improve your browsing experience"

[High Threshold]

LarsMac;1455698 wrote: Then you are back to Týr 's original suggestion.

What kind of sites have you been visiting?


Ok But .......

.... Jesus F Christ! I’ve been trying to reply to your post but PUP

“Casino Games and

“FLV Player and

"Ad Cash" money scheme and

"Ads Delivery" and

"Western Union" and

"Forex Trendy" and

"Planet 49" and

"Auto Binary Signals" and

"5 Free Spins on a roulette wheel" and

"Bet 365" and

"Play Wartune" and

"The Penny Stock Egghead" and

"Forge of Empires" and

"Your Soft Video Update" that claims it's "recommended"

plus several pop-ups such as "Metin 2 Blazing Purgatory"

..... have all been preventing me for the past 15 minutes.

I wanted to say if I use the original factory settings will I lose EVERYTHING I've saved? Photos, documents, photo shop program, etc?

I visit mostly Google search, air travel agencies, local public transport time table, Forum Garden. I've downloaded iLivid video save, Olympus Camera transfer, VLC Media Player.

[LarsMac]

High Threshold;1455706 wrote: Ok But .......

.... Jesus F Christ! I’ve been trying to reply to your post but PUP

“Casino Games and

“FLV Player and

"Ad Cash" money scheme and

"Ads Delivery" and

"Western Union" and

"Forex Trendy" and

"Planet 49" and

"Auto Binary Signals" and

"5 Free Spins on a roulette wheel" and

"Bet 365" and

"Play Wartune" and

"The Penny Stock Egghead" and

"Forge of Empires" and

"Your Soft Video Update" that claims it's "recommended"

plus several pop-ups such as "Metin 2 Blazing Purgatory"

..... have all been preventing me for the past 15 minutes.

I wanted to say if I use the original factory settings will I lose EVERYTHING I've saved? Photos, documents, photo shop program, etc?

I visit mostly Google search, air travel agencies, local public transport time table, Forum Garden. I've downloaded iLivid video save, Olympus Camera transfer, VLC Media Player.


AHA! There is one of the culprits.

A quick Google shows a number of complaints.

In my experience, anything that advertises itself as "Quick, Easy, and Free" should be avoided. Particularly if it relates to video downloading.

[Týr]

High Threshold;1455706 wrote: I wanted to say if I use the original factory settings will I lose EVERYTHING I've saved? Photos, documents, photo shop program, etc?




Unless you've been taking backup copies you'll lose all that in the long run anyway. If you have backups then you can reload them after the factory reset. Backups really aren't optional. Some people make their living rescuing users from a lack of backups.

[Bruv]

I don't know much.............. but when downloading or installing anything off the web..................make sure you look for and tick or untick any cleverly hidden boxes asking whether you want to install something extra...............chances are you dont, in fact the rule of thumb is you dont.

[High Threshold]

LarsMac;1455707 wrote: AHA! There is one of the culprits.

A quick Google shows a number of complaints.

In my experience, anything that advertises itself as "Quick, Easy, and Free" should be avoided. Particularly if it relates to video downloading.


I take it then that merely removing iLivid YouTube video copier won't do the job because the PUP is already on my hard disc, is that right? The thing is that I've used iLivid before and I like how it works, so I never suspected anything sinister.

Týr;1455708 wrote: Unless you've been taking backup copies you'll lose all that in the long run anyway. If you have backups then you can reload them after the factory reset. Backups really aren't optional. Some people make their living rescuing users from a lack of backups.


Well, I have the original PhotoShop CD so that's no worry and I can simply copy my photos, etc. onto the USB and re-install them afterwords, right?



Bruv;1455714 wrote: I don't know much.............. but when downloading or installing anything off the web..................make sure you look for and tick or untick any cleverly hidden boxes asking whether you want to install something extra...............chances are you dont, in fact the rule of thumb is you dont.


Yes, it can be daunting responding to all of the "click here" confusion, not really knowing if it applies to the download you actually want and/or if it's a necessary support download. But I will certainly be more diligent in future!

[LarsMac]

Another note. After you get things sorted out, you might want to look into a paid-for Anti-virus/anti-Malware.

The one I have found most effective, of late, is BitDefender. Though for a free version, if you are using Microsoft Windows, the new Microsoft Windows Defender has proved to be quite effective, and unobtrusive.

You still can fall victim to those nasty brutes that tag along with supposedly innocent downloads.

[LarsMac]

High Threshold;1455716 wrote: I take it then that merely removing iLivid YouTube video copier won't do the job because the PUP is already on my hard disc, is that right? The thing is that I've used iLivid before and I like how it works, so I never suspected anything sinister.



Well, I have the original PhotoShop CD so that's no worry and I can simply copy my photos, etc. onto the USB and re-install them afterwords, right?





Yes, it can be daunting responding to all of the "click here" confusion, not really knowing if it applies to the download you actually want and/or if it's a necessary support download. But I will certainly be more diligent in future!


Correct. The PUP was just piggy-backing the iLivid Downloader, probably. You would need to go through registry editor and hunt down the entries to extract any references to the malware. (A task best left to the experts. I generally know what I am doing in the registry, but I have "bricked" a PC or two in my day)

You should be able to copy all your personal stuff to a USB stick. However, make sure you install anti-malware and scan the USB, before copying them back to the "new" installation.

[High Threshold]

LarsMac;1455718 wrote: Correct. The PUP was just piggy-backing the iLivid Downloader, probably. You would need to go through registry editor and hunt down the entries to extract any references to the malware. (A task best left to the experts. I generally know what I am doing in the registry, but I have "bricked" a PC or two in my day)

You should be able to copy all your personal stuff to a USB stick. However, make sure you install anti-malware and scan the USB, before copying them back to the "new" installation.


I'm beginning to understand now. I'm in the process of checking the list in Programs and Features and seeing what Google has to say. Lo and behold, "Search Protect Conduit" is there and it is recommended to remove it as a malware, browser hijacker. I'm doing that just now.

[High Threshold]

Wajam and Software Version Updater are others.

[LarsMac]

High Threshold;1455722 wrote: Wajam and Software Version Updater are others.


Ah, you are on the way to recovery.

I have one computer that I leave basically unguarded, that is for the grandkids to play with when they come over. I have a bunch of games and things for them.

After I built it, and loaded all the games, I created an image of the thing on a USB stick.

Every couple of months, I just wipe and re-image the hard drive.

[Týr]

High Threshold;1455716 wrote: Well, I have the original PhotoShop CD so that's no worry and I can simply copy my photos, etc. onto the USB and re-install them afterwords, right?
Yes. The "etc." takes some checking on Windows though, it's a perverse directory structure. If you only copy My Documents you may miss things like your browser favorites.

[High Threshold]

LarsMac;1455726 wrote: Ah, you are on the way to recovery.

I have one computer that I leave basically unguarded, that is for the grandkids to play with when they come over. I have a bunch of games and things for them.

After I built it, and loaded all the games, I created an image of the thing on a USB stick.

Every couple of months, I just wipe and re-image the hard drive.


Yes, I'm on my way. Just taken an hour trying to remove "Webssearches" ... it's a long process and apparently the worst PUP culprit of them all. I almost missed it, looking so unobtrusive, nestled in with all of the legitimate functions. Not sure if I did it right though, but I've got my fingers crossed!

[High Threshold]

Týr;1455727 wrote: Yes. The "etc." takes some checking on Windows though, it's a perverse directory structure. If you only copy My Documents you may miss things like your browser favorites.


I know. It's the "etc's" that worry me the most. But I'm having a go at dusting the thing out rather than giving it a blast of soapy water and .......... maybe I won't need to?

[along-for-the-ride]

Týr;1455608 wrote: I doubt very much whether your PC was doing this when it arrived new in its packaging. I think it's a consequence of your subsequent use, and very likely a result of something you downloaded and installed from an untrustworthy source. Were it mine, I'd re-install from the factory default setup partition and try again from scratch.


Funny you should mention this. I had to do a system recovery Monday afternoon. I suddenly could not sign into Windows using my password. I could change it only if I had a "password recovery disk", which I had never heard of and did not have. Before this, I had experienced 2 crash dumps during the course of several weeks. I had to install Google so I can post pics and videos here in Forum Garden (IE doesn't work), I also had a message concerning "conduit" not found when I would sign in before.

So, after the recovery, I am being more cautious about what I do. Yes, I've had to start from scratch, but it's worth it. I can sign in again.