[moskin99]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 3:30:54 PM, on 3/8/2005
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RPCSS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGAMSVR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ZONE LABS\ZONEALARM\ZLCLIENT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SYMPATICO\ACCESS MANAGER\APP\ENTERNET.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\DOWNLOADS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.ca/0SEENCA/SAOS01
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Sympatico
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;<local>
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: MSNToolBandBHO - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN APPS\MSN TOOLBAR\01.02.3000.1001\EN-CA\MSNTB.DLL
O2 - BHO: ST - {9394EDE7-C8B5-483E-8773-474BF36AF6E4} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN APPS\ST\01.02.3000.1002\EN-XU\STMAIN.DLL
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN APPS\MSN TOOLBAR\01.02.3000.1001\EN-CA\MSNTB.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGEMC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CriticalUpdate] c:\windows\SYSTEM\wucrtupd.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Motive SmartBridge] C:\PROGRA~1\NETASS~1\SMARTB~1\MotiveSB.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IPInSightLAN 01] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL NETWORKS\VISUAL IP INSIGHT\SYMPATICO CONSUMER\IPClient.exe" -l
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IPInSightMonitor 01] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL NETWORKS\VISUAL IP INSIGHT\SYMPATICO CONSUMER\IPMon32.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] "c:\program files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-ca\msnappau.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGAMSVR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [TrueVector] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [KB891711] c:\windows\SYSTEM\KB891711\KB891711.EXE
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN MESSENGER\MSNMSGR.EXE" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpyKiller] C:\Program Files\SpyKiller\spykiller.exe /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BestPopUpKiller] C:\Program Files\BestPopUpKiller\BestPopupKiller.exe /startup
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: MemTurbo.lnk = C:\Program Files\Silicon Prairie Software\MemTurbo\memturbo.exe
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O9 - Extra button: Researcher - {9455301C-CF6B-11D3-A266-00C04F689C50} - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Encarta Researcher\EROProj.dll
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCVW.DLL
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {0C568603-D79D-11D2-87A7-00C04FF158BB} (BrowseFolderPopup Class) - http://download.mcaf...ed/MGBrwFld.cab
O16 - DPF: {0713E8D2-850A-101B-AFC0-4210102A8DA7} (Microsoft ProgressBar Control, version 5.0 (SP2)) - http://mcafee.www.co...ed/ComCtl32.cab
O16 - DPF: {8FBFE5FF-5E98-11D3-80AF-00C04FCFBC72} (SurveyCtl35 Class) - http://activex.micro...izards/sw35.cab
O16 - DPF: {43E1F2E4-C2BA-11D3-AC40-0050049804AB} (Update Class) - http://32.96.235.170/dev/update.cab
O16 - DPF: {D702FBF4-EE60-11D0-BD5B-00A0C91F4635} (CFForm Runtime) - http://www.energysho...sses/CFJava.cab
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield Setup Player) - http://www.installen...gine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://pcpitstop.com...p/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1842B0EE-B597-11D4-8997-00104BD12D94} (iCC Class) - http://www.pcpitstop...cpConnCheck.cab
O16 - DPF: {9732FB42-C321-11D1-836F-00A0C993F125} (mhLabel Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/mhLbl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://bin.mcafee.co...76/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {1663ed61-23eb-11d2-b92f-008048fdd814} (MeadCo ScriptX Advanced) - https://www.epost.ca/printing/smsx.cab
O16 - DPF: {6FB9FE59-7D3B-483D-9909-C870BE5AFA1F} (DiskHealth Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.../diskhealth.cab
O16 - DPF: {F8F88D0D-E455-11D6-B547-00400555C7FB} (DiskHealth2 Class) - http://www.pcpitstop...p/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {9B03C5F1-F5AB-47EE-937D-A8EDA626F876} (Anonymizer Anti-Spyware Scanner) - http://download.zone...ctor/WebAAS.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn...pDownloader.cab

[Advertisements]

Hello moskin99 and welcome to the GTG forums. I am presently reviewing your log and will respond back to you as quickly as I can.

OT

[OldTimer]

Hello moskin99 and welcome to the GTG forums. I am presently reviewing your log and will respond back to you as quickly as I can.

OT

[OldTimer]

Hello again moskin99. After reviewing your log I see a few items that require our attention. Please proceed with the following steps in order.

Step #1

You are currently running an older version of HijackThis. Please click on the link below and download the most current version:HijackThis_sfx.exe
Delete your current HijackThis.exe file and double-click on the file you just downloaded to install the newer version.

Step #2

Start HijackThis and click the Scan button to perform a scan. Look for the following items and click in the checkbox in front of each item to select it:R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Sympatico
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IPInSightLAN 01] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL NETWORKS\VISUAL IP INSIGHT\SYMPATICO CONSUMER\IPClient.exe" -l
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IPInSightMonitor 01] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL NETWORKS\VISUAL IP INSIGHT\SYMPATICO CONSUMER\IPMon32.exe"
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SHDOCVW.DLL
Optional items to check with HijackThis for improved performance. I will give you some suggestions for free applications to replace these programs that we highly recommend in my final post.

SpyKiller is considered a rogue application that produces false positives and has poor performance. See this link for more information: Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites. To remove, check this item:O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SpyKiller] C:\Program Files\SpyKiller\spykiller.exe /startup
BestPopUpKiller is made by the same company as SpyKiller and is considered to make false claims to sell its products. To remove check this item:O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BestPopUpKiller] C:\Program Files\BestPopUpKiller\BestPopupKiller.exe /startup
MemTurbo: It is not recommended to run memory mangers in Windows 98 because testing has shown that they provide no measurable improvements and sometimes cause system instability. See the link for more information: Windows 98 & WinME - Memory Management. To remove MemTurbo check this item:O4 - Startup: MemTurbo.lnk = C:\Program Files\Silicon Prairie Software\MemTurbo\memturbo.exe
Now close ALL open windows except HijackThis and click the Fix Checked button to finish the repair.

Step #3

Now let's uninstall some of the bad applications using the Add/Remove Programs item in the Control Panel.

• Click Start
• Click Settings
• Click Control Panel
• Click Add/Remove Programs

Look for the follwing items and click on them to select and then click the Remove button:

• IP Insight (or Visual IP Insight or Sympatico IP Insight)
• SpyKiller
• BestPopUpKiller
• MemTurbo

Step #4

We need to make sure all hidden files are showing so please:* Open My Computer.
* Select the View menu and click Folder Options.
* Select the View tab.
* In the Hidden files section select Show all files.
* Click OK.
Find the following files/folders and delete them (don't worry if they are already gone):C:\PROGRAM FILES\VISUAL NETWORKS\VISUAL IP INSIGHT\ <--folder
C:\Program Files\SpyKiller\ <--folder
C:\Program Files\BestPopUpKiller\ <==folder
C:\Program Files\Silicon Prairie Software\MemTurbo\ <--folder
Step #5

This process will clean out your Temp files and your Temporary Internet Files. Please do both steps:

Step 1:Delete Temp Files
To clean out your temp files, click on Start and then Run, and type %temp% and press the OK button.

This should open up the temp folder that your machine uses. Please delete all files that are found there. If you get an error when deleting a file, skip that file and delete all the others. If you had trouble deleting a file, reboot into Safe Mode and follow this step again. You should now be able to delete all the files.

Do this same process for %windir%\temp.

Step 2: Delete Temporary Internet Files
Now I want you to click Start then Settings then Control Panel. Double-click the Internet Options icon. At the General tab, which should be the first tab you are currently on. Click on the Delete Files button and put a checkmark in Delete offline content. Then press the OK button. This may take quite a while, so do not be alarmed with how long it takes. When it is done, your Temporary Internet Files will now be deleted.

Step #6

OK. Reboot your computer normally, start HijackThis and perform a new scan. Post your new log file back here as a relpy to this topic and I will review it.

OT

Edited by OldTimer, 15 March 2005 - 10:36 AM.

[moskin99]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 8:33:13 AM, on 03/18/2005
Platform: Windows 98 SE (Win9x 4.10.2222A)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RPCSS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG FREE\AVGAMSVR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\HIJACKTHIS\HIJACKTHIS.EXE

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.ca/0SEENCA/SAOS01
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;<local>
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\ADOBE\ACROBAT 5.0\READER\ACTIVEX\ACROIEHELPER.OCX
O2 - BHO: MSNToolBandBHO - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN APPS\MSN TOOLBAR\01.02.3000.1001\EN-CA\MSNTB.DLL
O2 - BHO: ST - {9394EDE7-C8B5-483E-8773-474BF36AF6E4} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN APPS\ST\01.02.3000.1002\EN-XU\STMAIN.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O3 - Toolbar: MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN APPS\MSN TOOLBAR\01.02.3000.1001\EN-CA\MSNTB.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSDXM.OCX
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ScanRegistry] c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemTray] SysTray.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_EMC] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGEMC.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Motive SmartBridge] C:\PROGRA~1\NETASS~1\SMARTB~1\MotiveSB.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] "c:\program files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-ca\msnappau.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGCC.EXE /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_AMSVR] C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVGFRE~1\AVGAMSVR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMMRealtime] C:\Program Files\PC MightyMax\pcmm.exe /R
O4 - HKLM\..\RunServices: [TrueVector] C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ZONELABS\VSMON.EXE -service
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MSN MESSENGER\MSNMSGR.EXE" /background
O4 - Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O9 - Extra button: Researcher - {9455301C-CF6B-11D3-A266-00C04F689C50} - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Encarta Researcher\EROProj.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~1\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {0C568603-D79D-11D2-87A7-00C04FF158BB} (BrowseFolderPopup Class) - http://download.mcaf...ed/MGBrwFld.cab
O16 - DPF: {0713E8D2-850A-101B-AFC0-4210102A8DA7} (Microsoft ProgressBar Control, version 5.0 (SP2)) - http://mcafee.www.co...ed/ComCtl32.cab
O16 - DPF: {8FBFE5FF-5E98-11D3-80AF-00C04FCFBC72} (SurveyCtl35 Class) - http://activex.micro...izards/sw35.cab
O16 - DPF: {43E1F2E4-C2BA-11D3-AC40-0050049804AB} (Update Class) - http://32.96.235.170/dev/update.cab
O16 - DPF: {D702FBF4-EE60-11D0-BD5B-00A0C91F4635} (CFForm Runtime) - http://www.energysho...sses/CFJava.cab
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield Setup Player) - http://www.installen...gine/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://pcpitstop.com...p/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {1842B0EE-B597-11D4-8997-00104BD12D94} (iCC Class) - http://www.pcpitstop...cpConnCheck.cab
O16 - DPF: {9732FB42-C321-11D1-836F-00A0C993F125} (mhLabel Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/mhLbl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://bin.mcafee.co...76/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {1663ed61-23eb-11d2-b92f-008048fdd814} (MeadCo ScriptX Advanced) - https://www.epost.ca/printing/smsx.cab
O16 - DPF: {6FB9FE59-7D3B-483D-9909-C870BE5AFA1F} (DiskHealth Class) - http://www.pcpitstop.../diskhealth.cab
O16 - DPF: {F8F88D0D-E455-11D6-B547-00400555C7FB} (DiskHealth2 Class) -
http://www.pcpitstop...p/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {9B03C5F1-F5AB-47EE-937D-A8EDA626F876} (Anonymizer Anti-Spyware Scanner) - http://download.zone...ctor/WebAAS.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn...pDownloader.cab


NOTES

1. Your instructions were carried out to the letter, with the following exceptions:-
2. Step 2. SpyKiller and BestPopUpKiller not listed in HJT
3. Step 2. MemTurbo not listed in HJT (MemTurbo program previously removed).
4. Step 3. SpyKiller and BestPopUpKiller not listed
5. Step 4. BestPopUpKiller and MemTurbo not found
6. Step 5 The following files were skipped, since warning message stated that deleting them may cause Windows not to function correctly. Files skipped are ‘Cookies’ ‘History’ ‘Temp Internet Files’ ‘Del2235’ ‘Del301’ ‘msnsearch’ ‘setup-wm’

[OldTimer]

Hi moskin99. Your log is clean. There are no signs of malware or viruses. Have you tried running AdAware SE again? If so, what happens now? If not, please do so and post back here and let me know what happens now.

Regarding the file in your temporary files folder that you did not delete. There should be no files that are required in that folder. This is an area that many viruses and malware attempt to hide from detection in. I would clean out all files in the temporary directories and if there is an application that requires installation run it from a normal folder not located in the temporary area.

Cheers.

OT

Edited by OldTimer, 21 March 2005 - 01:19 PM.

[moskin99]

Hi OT
Temp Files folder cleaned out. There are now no files in that folder.
Tried Ad-Aware SE again - results as follows...
"This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shutdown".
Clicked on Close and got another message " Exception in EReadError in Modul AD-AWARE.EXE bei 00021FOB Fehler beim Lesen von memof.Lines.Strings:Fehler bei Einfugen von RichEdit-Zeile"
Ad-Aware would not run.
Note. I get RichEdit errors with other applications(that ran OK previously), such as Spybot S&D(it runs ok after I click ok to the error message).
Have previously uninstalled Ad-Aware and re-installed it but still same result.

[OldTimer]

Hi moskin99. It sounds like you are having a Richedit problem. Here is a link to the Lavasoft forums where they have directions for repairing this situation:

Startup Problem With Ad-aware

After following their directions and updating/replacing your current richedit dll files (there are 2 of them) let me know if you have any further problems.

Cheers.

OT

[moskin99]

Hi OT,
Many thanks to you and Lavasoft. Found file 'riched32.dll' missing from C:\Windows\System. Replaced it with file from lavasoft.
Now Ad-Aware; Spybot S&D, etc all work fine.
Can you suggest the replacements that you recommend for SpyKiller, BestPopUpKiller. Thanks a lot
moskin

[OldTimer]

Hi moskin99. Glad to here things are all running smoothly. Now that you are clean, to help protect your computer in the future I recommend that you get the following free programs: SpywareBlaster, SpywareGuard and IESpy-Ad. They will add 1000's of sites to your resticted zone and block some hijacks from happening.

You should also have a good firewall like ZoneAlarm or Kerio Personal Firewall (both are free) and a good anti-virus application like the one you are currently using. It is critical to have both a firewall and anti virus to protect your system and to keep them updated.

To keep your system up to date and clean visit Windows Update monthly, run AdAware SE and Spybot Search & Destroy weekly, and be aware of what emails you open and websites you visit.

To learn more about how to protect yourself while on the internet read this article by Tony Klien: So how did I get infected in the first place?

For a pop-up blocker, the best one that I have found is the Google Toolbar. In my experience it effectively blocks more popups than any other program I have used.

Have a safe and happy computing day!

OT