Why are pop-ups constantly appearing on my computer?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the issue of persistent pop-up windows appearing on a user's computer, with participants exploring potential causes and solutions. The conversation touches on browser settings, the effectiveness of different web browsers, and user experiences with Internet Explorer and Firefox.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration with frequent pop-ups claiming system and registry errors, seeking help to stop them.
  • Several participants inquire about the user's browser, suggesting that Internet Explorer may be the source of the problem.
  • Some participants propose enabling pop-up blocker settings in Internet Explorer, while others note that this feature may not be available in all versions.
  • There are recommendations to switch to Firefox, with claims that it has a more effective pop-up blocker and supports tabs, which some users find beneficial.
  • Concerns are raised about Internet Explorer's inability to block pop-ups from plugins like Flash and Java, and its lack of compliance with web standards.
  • Some participants argue that using Internet Explorer limits innovation and that it is associated with security vulnerabilities.
  • Others defend their use of Internet Explorer, citing familiarity and its prevalence in business environments, stating that Firefox would not be beneficial for their specific needs.
  • There are suggestions to run diagnostic tools like HijackThis to identify potential non-advertisement pop-ups or hijackers affecting the system.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of opinions regarding the effectiveness of Internet Explorer versus Firefox, with some advocating for a switch to Firefox while others defend their continued use of Internet Explorer. The discussion remains unresolved with competing views on browser choice and effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific features and limitations of Internet Explorer and Firefox, but there are unresolved questions regarding the effectiveness of various solutions and the specific nature of the pop-ups being experienced.

Who May Find This Useful

Users experiencing similar issues with pop-ups, individuals interested in web browser comparisons, and those seeking advice on improving their browsing experience may find this discussion relevant.

pmb_phy
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There are pop-ups coming left and right and I can't figure out how to stop them. The present one claims that there are system errors. The last one claimed that there were registry errors.

Help! :cry: They're alive

Pete
 
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Are you using firefox?
 
Well if you're using Internet Explorer, it's just Tools then PopUp blocker-PopUp blocker settings, turn on. End of story or am I missing something?
 
Hey, saltydog, are you still using IE?
 
saltydog said:
Well if you're using Internet Explorer, it's just Tools then PopUp blocker-PopUp blocker settings, turn on. End of story or am I missing something?
I don't have that on my version of IE, he may not either. I use a spyware and adware program though, in addition to anti-virus software, so I don't have the problem he's having.
 
saltydog said:
Well if you're using Internet Explorer, it's just Tools then PopUp blocker-PopUp blocker settings, turn on. End of story or am I missing something?
I don't see anything like that on my computer.

Pete
 
You need XP SP2 to get that feature and it isn't as effective as firefox's popup blocker. I HIGHLY recommend you switch to firefox.

http://www.mozilla.org/
 
dduardo said:
You need XP SP2 to get that feature and it isn't as effective as firefox's popup blocker. I HIGHLY recommend you switch to firefox.

http://www.mozilla.org/

Jesus Dduardo, I haven't seen a pop-up on my machine in I don't know, might be a year for all I know, whenever I got that update I guess. How much more effective do you want?
 
Does IE block popup from plugins like flash and java? No.

Also, how can you stand not having tabs? IE is a crippled piece of junk that doesn't follow W3C standards.

By using IE your holding back Internet innovation
 
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  • #10
dduardo said:
Does IE block popup from plugins like flash and java? No.

Also, how can you stand not having tabs? IE is a crippled piece of junk that doesn't follow W3C standards.

By using IE your holding back Internet innovation

Please tell me what are "tabs"

Thanks,
 
  • #11
I agree with dduardo. I cannot believe that there are people here at pf that still use IE, as I think most of the people here are more intelligent than the average joe.
 
  • #12
Ok. I read Walt Mosberg's description of it. Sounds interesting. Didn't know it existed. I'll try it. Funny how things work out. :smile:
 
  • #13
See this image:

http://theopencd.sunsite.dk/programs/images/prog/firefox_screen_01.png

Right under the url bar you'll see tabs. With tabs you don't have twenty windows open.
 
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  • #14
mattmns said:
I agree with dduardo. I cannot believe that there are people here at pf that still use IE, as I think most of the people here are more intelligent than the average joe.
I've seen the tabs on firefox and can't imagine what good they'd do me. I also don't have any problems with IE. IE is the browser used by all large businesses, so I have gotten used to it because I have to use it all day, every day. It really comes down to what you're looking for, firefox would be of no benefit to me due to how I use my personal computer and is not an option for when I am at work.
 
  • #16
Evo said:
I've seen the tabs on firefox and can't imagine what good they'd do me. I also don't have any problems with IE. IE is the browser used by all large businesses, so I have gotten used to it because I have to use it all day, every day. It really comes down to what you're looking for, firefox would be of no benefit to me due to how I use my personal computer and is not an option for when I am at work.

That's quickly changing:

http://networks.silicon.com/webwatch/0,39024667,39130377,00.htm
 
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  • #17
If the OP is talking about non-advertisement "pop-ups" i'd run HijackThis and let someone read the log.
 
  • #18
Evo said:
I've seen the tabs on firefox and can't imagine what good they'd do me. I also don't have any problems with IE. IE is the browser used by all large businesses, so I have gotten used to it because I have to use it all day, every day. It really comes down to what you're looking for, firefox would be of no benefit to me due to how I use my personal computer and is not an option for when I am at work.
I was skepitcal of firefox at first too, especially tabs. I thought tabs were silly, but after a week of using firefox I had found it impossible to not use tabs. Don't worry about tabs though, when IE 7 adds them you will realize how much you have been missing out.

The real reason to not use IE though, imo, is because of all the security problems. Check out www.secunia.com

IE: http://secunia.com/product/11/
Firefox: http://secunia.com/product/4227/
Opera: http://secunia.com/product/4932/

Also as dduardo said, IE is not standards compliant which makes things a pain in the rear.

Seriously just try out a non IE browser like Firefox or Opera for a week or so, give it a serious try, and you will probably never go back.
 
  • #19
dduardo said:
See this image:

http://theopencd.sunsite.dk/programs/images/prog/firefox_screen_01.png

Right under the url bar you'll see tabs. With tabs you don't have twenty windows open.
You don't have windows open with IE either, see the tabs along the bottom?
 

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  • #20
Evo, but what happens when you have other programs open, and multiple IE windows open?
 
  • #21
Evo said:
I've seen the tabs on firefox and can't imagine what good they'd do me. I also don't have any problems with IE. IE is the browser used by all large businesses, so I have gotten used to it because I have to use it all day, every day. It really comes down to what you're looking for, firefox would be of no benefit to me due to how I use my personal computer and is not an option for when I am at work.

Well, that's cus' you not a hacker Evo. :smile:
 
  • #22
BS, those aren't tabs.

Here is a guy that is a well known Microsoft supporter that has a career praising their products. When he starts talking crap about Microsoft then there is definitely a problem:

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/47208/47208.html

"My advice is simple: Boycott IE. It's a cancer on the Web that must be stopped. IE isn't secure and isn't standards-compliant, which makes it unworkable both for end users and Web content creators. Because of their user bases, however, Web developers are hamstrung into developing for IE at the expense of established standards that work well in all other browsers. You can turn the tide by demanding more from Microsoft and by using a better alternative Web browser. I recommend and use Mozilla Firefox, but Apple Safari (Macintosh only) and Opera 8 are both worth considering as well."

Microsoft is making NO effort to bring IE up to the 21st century.
 
  • #23
EvLer said:
If the OP is talking about non-advertisement "pop-ups" i'd run HijackThis and let someone read the log.

The log is very doable. Took me about, say 10-12 hours to get good enough to excise a hijacker. But I'm a hacker and don't mind fooling with the system files and registry.
 
  • #24
Evo, open a few programs and a few "tabs" with IE. Personally my taskbar would become crowded quick.

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6898/multiplewindows1xs.png
 
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  • #25
mattmns said:
Evo, but what happens when you have other programs open, and multiple IE windows open?

When you have multiple IE windows open, you have a bar on the bottom. Right now mine says: 5 Internet Explorer. That means I have 5 windows of IE open now. Click on that bar and a menu pops up and you can select which one to go to.
 
  • #26
saltydog said:
When you have multiple IE windows open, you have a bar on the bottom. Right now mine says: 5 Internet Explorer. That means I have 5 windows of IE open now. Click on that bar and a menu pops up and you can select which one to go to.

With firefox you go directly to the tab you want to. I'd say firefox's way is easier.
 
  • #27
mattmns said:
Evo, open a few programs and a few "tabs" with IE. Personally my taskbar would become crowded quick.

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/6898/multiplewindows1xs.png
ACK! You mean it keeps enlarging your screen so that you can no longer see the entire page without scrolling? Are they planning to fix that? That would make me crazy. :bugeye:
 
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  • #28
Wow, you can't possible think that, can you? The tabs get smaller as you have more open. Your screen size does not change.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1276/multiplewindows19ez.png

edit... You should seriously try it out for yourself, don't take my word for it.
 
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  • #29
mattmns said:
Wow, you can't possible think that, can you? The tabs get smaller as you have more open. Your screen size does not change.

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1276/multiplewindows19ez.png
Ok, that's exactly what IE does. So what's the difference?
 
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  • #30
Evo, as Linus Torvald (Creator of Linux) would say:

What the heck have you been smoking?

As someone involved in the technology sector I would think you would be smarter than that.
 

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