I'm seeing alot of popups and suspect spyware, even though I have Google toolbar. It's wanting me to download screensavers, what's up with that?

I am using Win 2000 Pro, with IE 6 SP 1, AVG on a Compaq laptop. So I am interested in a free spyware blocker if possible.

Thanks in advance
Soaringhorse

The obvious first question to ask is what have
you got for Protection? 2ndly, are you on Broadband?

Are any of these programs on your Start menu?
AdAware
Avast!
SpywareBlaster

All the above are Free!

And what firewall (If You are on Broadband) are you using?
The Windows Firewall is NOT very Safe!

Popups occur because of "Holes" in your Defence The Browser is can only do so much its where the Data comes in that is the weak point (That has to be sandbagged!)

Sorry Bedstor forgot to say broadband, and no spyware programs loaded due to slow startups with previous experiences, and no firewalls as of yet. I don't have anything against these but hate it when that tea timer bulked the startup. I heard ZA is not free anymore, is that true?

ZA Has gone to a pay version
And the Tea timer program that is outdated

Editing the Startup list...Good Idea!
Cannot help with what to go as I haven't got Win 2000

Lets try plug a hole ot 2?
SpywareBlaster that does work with Win 2000
And it Populates the Restricted Sites list and Blocks lots of the Pop-Up generators and other Nasties

quote:

SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed. By setting a "kill bit" for spyware ActiveX controls, it can prevent the installation of any spyware ActiveX controls from a webpage. It does this while not interfering with "friendly" ActiveX controls - so your browser can work correctly and you can have peace of mind.

You won't get any more annoying "Yes/No" boxes popped up, asking you to install a spyware ActiveX control. In fact, Internet Explorer will never even download or run the spyware ActiveX control. In addition, it can prevent many of these spyware ActiveX controls from running, even if they are already installed on your system

http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/SpywareBlaster/1056258294/1

Avast!Home Edition 4.8.1351

Avast! antivirus Home Edition represents the best free antivirus protection currently available on the market. This edition is FREE OF CHARGE for non-commercial & home use

www.filehippo.com/download_avast_antivirus/

File is a Bit Fat @ 40 MB
But its worth its weight in Gold
Nearly everybody has ditched AdAware in favor of This Program (reason the program started acting as a Blocker) Only thing to do is apply for a registration Key which will give you a years updates does generate a Popup...But this is for the Daily Update

And a Firewall This is Not a well Known program ...I use COMODO which is a Big download and Keeps my computer closed to the Outside
Takes some Time to set up

But this is a simpler Alternative and Still keeps the Door close
It Has a High ratings from the CNET computer site and everyone liked it who reported feedback
It goes by the Name Filseclab
And Its from China! It is "Open source" Software
www.filseclab.com/eng/products/firewall.htm

Here is the Cnet Download link for the Same and Scroll down to see the Feedback on this


PS File size is about 4MB !