I have Windows XP with latest updates. I get popups literally every 5
minutes without touching the computer. I'm connected via DSL all the
time. If I turn the computer on and just let it sit, I'll get
continual browser popups. (In other words, I'm not surfing and getting
popups - I have Google popup blocker - it appears there's a program on
my computer generating popups all by itself.)

The popups are not the messenger popups, but are in the IE browser and
are usually mortgage, casino, etc. Some days I won't get popups, but
my computer will make the "click" sound like when you enter a new url
in your browser and hit the enter key - almost like there's some
program on my computer trying to access the Internet.

Also, music will randomly, inexplicably play - like some streaming
radio station. There's no program running to cause this, but when I
disconnect my DSL it shuts off!

I've run both AdAware free and Spybot Search & Destroy. They both
found spyware and deleted it but it still hasn't helped.

Opps - the radio thing just started - this time it's playing some big
band music! It played for about 20 seconds then stopped.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 06 Oct 2004 13:19 PDT

Hi donniec,

Rather than focus on one problem at the start, it is best to clean
your entire system methodically, step-by-step, because you probably
have more than one bug that needs to be eliminated. Following is an
excellent tutorial by MajorGeeks which I suggest that you follow.

How to: Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

At the very least, you will run the following four programs  in the order given.

1) Run HouseCall, a very thorough online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Download and run the following programs ("check for updates" before scanning):

2) CWShredder:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.htmls

3) Adaware
http://lavasoft.element5.com/default.shtml.en

4) SpyBot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Another good tutorial is here:
KRC Anti-Spyware Tutorial
http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.htm

When you are done with a tutorial, your system should be clean -
please let me know so I can post this as an answer. If not, send in an
update on your situation and we'll refine our search for whatever is
left on your system.

Thanks and good luck
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by donniec-ga on 06 Oct 2004 21:57 PDT

Thanks for the input. I've spent all day cleaning my system according
to the MajorGeek page. No good - even as I'm writing this the crazy
popup is getting in my way! Haven't heard the radio stream lately
though - maybe it's gone.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 07 Oct 2004 13:42 PDT

Hi donniec,

Hm, that's too bad, but I see that you've posted your HJT log to the
MG forum and they are helping - I knew they would take good care of
you.  I'll keep an eye open and see how you make out - I'm sure all
will be well soon.

Regards,
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by donniec-ga on 07 Oct 2004 20:24 PDT

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I posted the HJT log
and they saw I had the Bagel virus. I wonder why not a single virus
program found it! Anyway, I followed their advice and haven't had a
popup all night.

Hi Donniec,

Thank you for your thank you and for the good news, it's nice to have
your computer back, isn't it?  To avoid trouble in the future, it's a
good idea to run HouseCall about once per month and Ad-aware about
once per week as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Also,
consider switching to another browser, such as Mozilla (what I use),
for a sure-fire way to avoid these IE problems.

SpywareBlaster 3.2:
Prevent spyware from installing in the first place!
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SpywareGuard 2.2
A real-time protection solution against spyware!
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

To make it official, here is my answer again.

Rather than focus on one problem at the start, it is best to clean
your entire system methodically, step-by-step, because you probably
have more than one bug that needs to be eliminated. Following is an
excellent tutorial by MajorGeeks which I suggest that you follow.

How to: Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

At the very least, you will run the following four programs  in the order given.

1) Run HouseCall, a very thorough online virus scan:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Download and run the following programs ("check for updates" before scanning):

2) CWShredder:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.htmls

3) Adaware
http://lavasoft.element5.com/default.shtml.en

4) SpyBot
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Another good tutorial is here:
KRC Anti-Spyware Tutorial
http://www.greyknight17.com/spyware.htm

When you are done with a tutorial, your system should be clean -
please let me know so I can post this as an answer. If not, send in an
update on your situation and we'll refine our search for whatever is
left on your system.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to post my answer.
Sincerely,
hummer

two possibilities.

norton internet security package contains virus scan, active adaware
scan and popup blocker.

"Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2005 provides essential
protection from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. Norton
AntiVirus is the world?s most trusted antivirus solution.* Norton
Personal Firewall keeps personal data in and hackers out. And Norton
Privacy Control, Norton AntiSpam, and Norton Parental Control
safeguard you and your family from other common online risks.
change browser, use mozilla for your browser which is safer and
prevents these problems."

mozilla.org
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

For a long-term protection against popups, try:
-ZoneAlarm, a personal firewall (now acquired by CheckPoint): there is
a free version for personal use.  It will block the port 135, which
prevents many popup from occuring.  See http://www.zonelabs.com/
-The Google toolbar for Internet Explorer.  Besides of blocking
popups, it provides you with direct access to Google services