Popup blocker problem?

Question

I know how you block popups on Internet Explorer 6 and that's exactly what I do. I go to Internet Options, Privacy, Block Popups (At High) and click Apply. I do this constantly, but it doesn't seem to be working. Somehow the box keeps on getting unchecked from time to time and popups that say "Cannot Find Server" appear randomly like crazy. Probably hundreds of them so far printing nothing but "Cannot Find Server" on them. I do get other working popups, but I do not want ANY Popups. From time to time when a popup comes up, it says on the bottom right of my computer screen right above the task bar "Ad Served by Context Tool" and it keeps showing up from time to time and my popups just keep on coming up and there is no end to this crazy madness. How does it end? What is there that I can do to stop it? If you can, please try to refrain from recommending me download a popup blocker, I'm not too intererested. 1st, I want to know what the problem with my IE-PB is and if it is fixable.Thanks!

Answer 1

do the following

1. disable system restore

2. download AVG antivirus, AVG antispyware, spybot, spyblaster

http://free.grisoft.com/

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareb...

http://www.safer-networking.org/...

3. update them

4. run scans

Answer 2

Your machine is infected. Pop-ups are mostly caused by adware, spyware, and other malicious and unwanted software and using pop-up blocker won't help an infected PC. No single program can detect and eradicate all spyware and I recommend using Ad-aware and Spybot (they are free). Other great free anti-spyware programs would be Super anti-spyware and AVG anti-spyware (formally Ewido).



Running these programs in Safe Mode (tap F8 as the computer boots up and choose to boot to safe mode) can be more effective.



If you do not have an updated anti-virus program always running, you need to get one. Install only one, but you can get AVG, Avast! or AntiVir for free.



I also recommend using FireFox, it's far better and safer than Internet Explorer.

Answer 3

I have IE v7 and my Pop-Up blocker is set to Medium and works just fine. The message "Ad Served by Context Tool" makes me believe that your popups are coming from within.



I'm going to suggest a free scanner (not a blocker) called AdAware that will scan your PC and remove spyware, malware, tracking cookies, etc. You can get it at...



http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,7423-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html



You can also get it at www.download.com or from the people who make it at www.lavasoft.com



The reason I directed you to the PC World site is because of the article that accompanies the download. It'll tell you all about AdAware and help you decide if you want to use it.



I scan my PC about once a month and am virtually popup free.

Answer 4

It could be that you are infected with spyware which would cause pop-ups regardless of your settings. Download, check for updates and run these products. You can uninstall them afterwards should you choose. You may also want to run them in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode, reboot and then either hold down or tap the F8 key repeatedly while the computer is starting up.



====================

AntiSpyware Applications



SuperAntispyware

http://superantispyware.com/

Spybot S&D (free version requires manual updating)

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

AVG AntiSpyware

http://free.grisoft.com/doc/20/lng/us/tpl/v5

Adaware from Lavasoft (free version requires automatic updating)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

(These programs can be run in Safe Mode after installation and updating)

Answer 5

Well the simplest solution to this problem is to not use Internet Explorer 6. You can use Internet Explorer 7 or better yet firefox.



Firefox is a lot more secure, faster, and has lots of features you'll enjoy.

www.firefox.com