Malware Warning

[OceanEyes28]

Oh noooo what was that?

I just got a pop-up thingy about scanning my computer. No thank you, sketchy pop-up.

Got a screenshot of it so you could see what I'm talking about.

[LocoColt04]

Meh, it's just an advertisement. Every once in a long while, pop-up ads can still get through Adblock. It doesn't seem to be anything worth fretting over, unless it's coming up frequently.

[Mistress Sheena]

Again, I've never got that yet. o_O;
I wonder what's going on? XD Maybe you should update your adblocker thing ally? I dunno.

[Bleachfangirl]

Eh, I don't know if this goes here or what, but I've been having some issues with the forums lately. My computer won't load up the pages half the time, and I've been forced to continuously either refresh or retry connecting with the page. It's only the forums too. I don't know why at all since no sort of pop-up ever comes up. I don't know what to do or what is wrong since even when the forums won't come up while other sites do. I can even get to the main TFF page, but when I try to get to the forums, it stops me. It's confusing me and getting annoying. Any help?

[Silver]

My mate had that exact same error message. He clicked it, the computer slowed down, a weird run window popped up, flashed a few things fast and then killed itself and the next time he logged on there were desktop shortcuts to some URL all disguised as desktop icons for anti-virus software he didn't have, and the desktop wallpaper was not only changed, but a link to the same place as the new icons.

I think it was the result of another website he visited though which had installed something on his computer to begin with. Some form of malware...
I'd do something about it as soon as possible I think...
My mate in the end had to reformat his hard drive and got me to reinstall everything for him. From what I understand it just kept downloading more and more crap...

EDIT: Stupid me, I'm referring to Ally's post with the included screenshot. My mate was running XP home edition I believe.

[OceanEyes28]

Originally Posted by Silver

My mate had that exact same error message. He clicked it, the computer slowed down, a weird run window popped up, flashed a few things fast and then killed itself and the next time he logged on there were desktop shortcuts to some URL all disguised as desktop icons for anti-virus software he didn't have, and the desktop wallpaper was not only changed, but a link to the same place as the new icons.

I think it was the result of another website he visited though which had installed something on his computer to begin with. Some form of malware...
I'd do something about it as soon as possible I think...
My mate in the end had to reformat his hard drive and got me to reinstall everything for him. From what I understand it just kept downloading more and more crap...

EDIT: Stupid me, I'm referring to Ally's post with the included screenshot. My mate was running XP home edition I believe.

That happened to my desktop at home... some thing popped up and installed itself and started scanning my computer and the desktop went away and I couldn't open anything and no matter what I tried, it didn't work. So yeah, I had to do a system recovery. Sucked.

This time might be nothing, but it would at least be good to check into it.

[Draken Benvolaid]

I had that same popup the other day here.
Just closed the window.
I was using FireFox too, by the way.

They use "IF" in it as a way to get around legal reasons for giving alerts.

It's funny, I'm using Vista too, and it asked me to install an XP something or other.

[Rocky]

maybe it is just my computer, but every page so far I have been to tonight has Circuit City in particular wanting me to buy something from them in a pop-up, is there something that we can do about that?

[Merlin]

Like I've said before, we don't make the ads... they are all generated from outside places. But, I am willing to help out if you give me more information.

• Operating System including Service Packs installed
• If Windows: Are ALL critical/security updates installed?
• Browser including exact version number
• Antivirus software including exact version number. Is it updated?
• Anti-spyware, etc including exact version number. Is it updated?
• Other processes currently running. CTRL+ALT+DELETE --> Task Manager --> Processes
• EXACT url
• Was the page fully loaded?
• What did you click on?

Just saying that you run WinXP and a popup came up tells me nothing. You could have something running in the background showing you popups based on stuff you click (tracking software).

~~~~~~
Most of these problems can easily be prevented on your end by keeping your computer updated. Stop running old versions of browsers. Stop using Antivirus software from 2007 or before... Set your computer to check for updates daily. I've seen quite a few ppl close out antivirus popups saying they need to get the new version (for FREE most of the time) and then they start on about how their computer is farked up. Hello? If you can't do that much... you have no reason to open your mouth. Its the EASIEST thing to do! You can keep your computer protected for FREE! OMG imagine that.

With the latest versions of both browsers, these things can't do shit to your computer, unless you have your security settings set too low or are gullible enough to click on them. IE7's default security settings will warn you whenever anything attempts to download when you didn't click it. It throws that lovely popup saying "did you notice the bar?" If you say you want to download it, it will warn you yet again when it attempts to install it with a huge message saying that installing anything over IE is stupid and you're retarded for hitting ok, do you want to anyway? The only way for java/activeX to circumvent that is if you disable the settings that protect you against it... or use an outdated browser. ie: its your fault.

Firefox is quite similar and even goes farther to block a lot of that crap from even getting that far. This isn't 1995 folks... Update your browsers. You don't need fancy pop-up blocking stuff... you don't need anal-retentive antivirus that warns you about your screensaver settings being changed... you just need to take 5 minutes and update your damned computer!

That... and stop rushing through websites and clicking on shit before it loads. 99% of the time its user error not software. I have seen countless people "accidentally" click stupid shit because they were too impatient to wait for the page to load and the page changed right when they hit the mouse button... ie: they hit something else. Its so fast they don't even notice and start bitching "OMG I DIDNT CLICK THAT!!!" Yes... you did.

But like Toph keeps saying... I don't doubt that this crap is floating around. Its everywhere. I just never see it because I take those 5 minutes to keep my computer updated. Try it... its really worth the effort.

If you've followed all the above steps and you still magically get your computer messed up, feel free to post it here and we can help... IF you give enough info. I'm not at your house.

EDIT: Speak of the devil, I just got a popup and my browser shifted at the same time... but since I waited on the page to load, I didn't accidentally click the popup which appeared right on top of the button I wanted to click.

[VidenTheColdOne]

I thought all the problems with malware were cleaned up? I been having some problems too. I'm including screen shots in my post:






I don't know why i'm getting these messages, i have never had any kind of problem before, but i keep getting all kinds of warnings from various programs.

I don't know if you want it, or need it, but i will give you the information i saw u ask someone else for. I love this site, and if it helps you figure it out, so be it.

* Operating System including Service Packs installed: Windows XP Home SP3
* If Windows: Everything is up to date
* Browser including exact version number: Firefox v 3.0
* Antivirus software, Is it updated? Avast 4.8 Home Edition. Fully updated every day.
* Anti-spyware. Is it updated? Spyware Dr. V 5.5.1.332, fully updated

Let me know if i can help you in anyway. Thanks!