Zone Alarm Tweaking

[jaywhy13]

Hey i was jus wondering... I suffer from alot of popups!!! I have adsl... i don't have to be using my computer, but ie windows will just open up.... just like that.

My computer is affected with spyware. I have tried ALOT of software... Now I'm tryin to use Zone Alarm. Considerig that there are many different programs that from time to time hijack my browser, what kinda configurations could I put into Zone Alarm to assist and aid the process of preventing these programs from opening popups?

[JamieR]

I don't know if a firewall can go and stop spyware from opening popups when it is already on your computer....what spyware-removal programs do you use to remove spyware? Also stuff like firefox and opera are immune to extra toolbars and BHOs which spyware crap installs....

[Auriga]

Personally i find ZoneAlarm a pain but some people appear to like it.

For Adware / Spyware problems you're best thing to do is...

Download and run Ad-Aware

Download and run Spybot

Download and run Spyware Blaster

These 3 are easily found using Google (yeah i'm lazy).

Just don't forget to update them before you run the scan.

If problems still persist after that download and run hijackthis (again find using google) and get back to me.

One more thing, run all this in Safe Mode!

[JamieR]

I use them three tools, as well as hijackthis > which is damn good


Personally, I have never liked Zone Alarms stuff - I use McAfee personal firewall as my firewall client, as I find that the most reliable i've ever used.

One last thing:

FIREFOX FIREFOX FIREFOX!!

[sweenster]

Originally Posted by jaywhy13

I suffer from alot of popups!!! I have adsl... i don't have to be using my computer, but ie windows will just open up.... just like that.

sounds to me like you have windows messenger service switched on.

Assuming you are using windows XP or 2000 type "services.msc" into the start menu run command and find "messenger" from the list that will appear. Disable this service and restart your PC

As for the general points on popups/adware/spyware/viruses:

• Use a decent firewall (like ZoneAlarm)
• Decent anti-virus protection (I recommend AVG Free Edition but their are other alternatives)
• Run a system scan with adaware every few weeks to keep spyware under control
• Use Firefox to browse the web instead of Internet Explorer

[jaywhy13]

Thanks all for your replies thus far... truth is I have tried tonnes and I do mean tonnes of spyware removal programmes.... funny tho i haven't tried any of the ones u guys listed. I am going to try.

I know that firewall's can't protect against spyware... (at least not directly) do you know of any programmes for which you can create rules about which processes are allowed to use IE. Mind you, I have Opera and Neoplanet.. they don't suffer from BHO's or popups but the rest of my family members aren't so technologically inclined so I'm tryin to find a programme that will help out the helpess IE so that they can use it...