Popups, spyware protection

[dannaswolcott]

I was getting lots of pop ups and websites opening that i did not want to open. I was playing cards on my computer today, 4 windows popped up and opened different websites. When i closed them more came up, I rebooted my computer and i got the error Hard Disk not found. I had to go and replace my hard drive. I am installing windows on it now, Id like to know what kind of program i can get to prevent pop ups and spy ware from entering my pc? If you know any good programs to help me keep my computer in good standing and safe on the internet from all those pop ups and spy ware please let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[G25r8cer]

There is a program called adaware. Really the only way to keep away pop-ups is to keep your pc clean and use a browser other than IE. You can also add the url's from the sites to your antivirus software or to your firewall on your router. I dont know how well it works the router way but, i know it can be done. Basically just keep your pc clean and you should be good. Most pop-ups especially when you get a bunch of them at random times, are created from virus's and worms. I once had such a bad infection that a bunch of IE's kept popping up and i ended up with 40 IE's open. I used combofix to fix it and get rid of the infection.

 

[cohen]

In the way of virus software i would go for AVG it has to done a really good job for my computer and i'm loving it and if my friends ask to me to fix their computers i put AVG on there for them! It is a really good program!

 

[dannaswolcott]

Thanks for the advice! Ill make sure i keep those tips in mind. As you know that i had to buy a new hard drive because of all of this. I think my old hard drive was formated so many times that it just died when i tried to format it again. Thanks for the advice!