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    Irritating adware/junk on your computer?

    bimbow
    bimbow

    Location : Herts.

    Irritating adware/junk on your computer? Empty Irritating adware/junk on your computer?

    Post by bimbow Sat 05 Nov 2016, 23:41

    Clean it out.  Link to two free Malwarebytes programs.

    http://skepsforum.prophpbb.com/topic2246.html
    Kitkat
    Kitkat

    Irritating adware/junk on your computer? Empty Re: Irritating adware/junk on your computer?

    Post by Kitkat Sun 06 Nov 2016, 15:23

    Thanks for that informative tip, bimbow. Luckily, I do not have the problem of pop-up ads, as I have Adblock Plus on my computer. However, this does bring me to a question, something that I have often wondered about ...

    Adblock Plus successfully stops me from seeing any ads on my computer, and I will not see them either on any sites that normally carry them, but my question is: Just because I don't see them, does it mean that any ads, for instance, that might carry a virus are still there anyway and possibly doing damage in the background that I cannot see? In other words, does 'out of sight' actually mean 'out of existence'?
    I do also run AVG antivirus which protects from viruses. I know that this works because once in a while it tells me that a threat (like a Trojan) has been detected - and this can be instantly removed as soon as it is detected.

    I run Malwarebytes (not the Adware Cleaner - just the free version) also, which protects from malware.

    If using both the above, then I would assume that the Adware Cleaner version of Malwarebytes would not be needed(?)
    bimbow
    bimbow

    Location : Herts.

    Irritating adware/junk on your computer? Empty Re: Irritating adware/junk on your computer?

    Post by bimbow Sun 06 Nov 2016, 17:35

    Hi KK,

    I also use AdblockPlus.  I'm not sure about the answer to your question, but if a hidden advert did have a virus or other malware, you'd probably get a warning popup to leave the site.

    I've been getting a popup window for a week or so saying my subscription to McAfee Anti virus has expired,  But I've never had anything to do with that company.  Then another window pops up recommending PC Purify.  I have run my Avast Anti-virus program, and Malwarebytes, and the two I posted the link to, but these windows still appear.  It is easy enough to just shut them, but they come back, and they shouldn't be there so it's irritating.

    But one thing I have worked out today - the problem only arises if I am using the Chrome browser.  So I now don't - stick to Firefox, or increasingly Opera.

    But it's always a good idea to run your AV software regularly, or better, a combination of two or three of the free programs.  Some of them take some time - Malwarebytes takes over 40 mins on my laptop, so I just go and have a coffee or something.

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