Chuck,
I tried to discover the problem by observing the running processes, but I
didn't see anything that looked as though it was related. Nothing unusual
showed up on the Task Manager window. I did learn that it loads with Internet
Explorer 10 and shows up on every subsequent page loaded. At first I had
wondered if it could be associated with my Time-Warner Cable pages, but it
isn't.
I took your suggestion and installed Firefox. The pop-out did not load with
Firefox. It did not load with my Time-Warner Cable pages. However, TWC pages
were agonizingly s-l-o-w attempting to load in Firefox and I kept getting a
pop-up window on the log-in page stating that a Shockwave plugin was failing to
load. I don't know whether that plug-in might be associated with the pop-out
that I'm trying to shed or merely something used by TWC in loading pages. Where
are the plug-ins located in Windows 7? I couldn't locate them.
The pop-out could very well have been associated with something I downloaded.
Many free downloads don't allow you to do custom downloads anymore. You have to
take the whole download and then try to uninstall anything you don't want. This
is a new computer with little more that the operating system pre-installed. So
I have had to download Adobe Reader, Open Office, a Media player, and other
things just to make it usable. And pop-up blocker does not prevent near
incessant ads on Internet Explorer. It's hard not to accidentally click on one.
I had forgotten just how annoying Windows can be. When I stated Windows 7 for
the first time, I had 81 updates to download and install. Like I said, I love
my Macs.
Thanks for your assistance.
Robert
---- Chuck Norcutt <chucknorcutt@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Yes, if you'd like some paranoia definitely install Ghostery. But for
> your particular case there may be some more direct discovery as well as
> treatment of the problem.
>
> Lets start with some simple diagnostics... let's find what is starting
> this thing up. When does this ad window or black sidebar first appear?
> Is it there immediately after you boot and before you have started any
> application or browser? If so the malware is installed as a "Windows
> service". Services are started (mostly) automatically at boot time and
> provide mostly essential underlying functions that will be needed by the
> system and apps when they come up. But malware can get itself installed
> there too such that it's always running.
>
> If not installed and started as a Windows service then it must be being
> brought to life by some app (including the browser) or activated in some
> way by a particular web page. The web page ought not to be able to
> infect your system with malware but it does happen. Whatever is there
> is something you most likely willingly accepted to install. Win7 is
> much more secure than earlier versions of Windows since it will ask for
> the admin's permission to install an app. It shouldn't happen under
> your nose.
>
> If it does start as a service we can locate the service and (first)
> deactivate it by preventing any auto startup. It can also be removed
> entirely but that's a bit more difficult.
>
> If it doesn't start as a service and you can identify which app or web
> page appears to bring it to life then we can check the list of processes
> that are running both before and after the malware appears and identify
> the process that's responsible. If you right click the taskbar at the
> bottom of the screen you'll see an option "Start Task Manager".
> Clicking the Applications tab will show all running apps (you're not
> likely to find it there), clicking the Processes tab will show all
> running processes. If it's running it's one of those things in the
> list. The task is to figure out which one and kill it as well as
> prevent it from starting again in the future.
>
> Let us know what you discover.
>
> Chuck Norcutt
>
>
>
> > On 31 August 2013 05:21, <r.burnette@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >> I am working with a new HP computer running Windows 7 Premium (64 Bit) and
> >> Explorer 10. I have the pop-up blocker enabled. Only one third party
> >> toolbar(AdAware)is enabled But I am still getting a terribly annoying ad
> >> box at the bottom left section of the window. It slides out to the right
> >> displaying a rectangular pop-up ad window approx. 4" W X 3" H displaying
> >> various ads. You can click on an X to hide the ad, but a black sidebar
> >> approx. 1/2" W X 3" H remains behind. It allows you to click the X and open
> >> the ad. (Can't imagine who might want to do that.)
> >>
> >> I feel certain that it is a piggy-back program from something
> >> inadvertently downloaded and left behind after the host program was
> >> deleted. Has anyone else had this annoying experience who was able to
> >> successfully delete it? When it pops open, which it repeatedly does even
> >> while reading email, it blocks the view of that portion of the active
> >> screen. It is quite aggravating having to continually click on the X to
> >> close this while trying to work on anything.
> >>
> >> Come on, computer gurus. Tell me how to fix this. Make it simple. I am not
> >> very windows savvy.
> >>
> >> My experience trying to get this machine up and running has made me want
> >> to hug and kiss my Macs.
> >>
> >> Robert
> >> --
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> >>
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