NationStates Jolt Archive

When did NationStates start getting pop-up ads? Not only are they annoying, they are getting through my pop-up blocker somehow. Has anyone else noticed this or do I need to run a spyware check on my computers?

i reckon you should get spy bot, search and destroy ;)
but if that doesn't work then :headbang:

Or just use FireFox like people who actually know things about computers.

It sounds like you might have spyware...Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) and Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html) might help you.
Or just use FireFox like people who actually know things about computers.I use Opera (http://www.opera.com/).

firefox is really starting to go beyond Opera I've used both.
FireFox is laid out better. Has a better rendering engine and is alot more secure.

To actually answer your question, no, I haven't been getting any popups here. I set Opera to let them through and refreshed a few times to check, and I didn't get any.
FireFox is laid out better.You can customize Opera rather extensively...It doesn't have to look much like the default.
Has a better rendering engine*Shrugs* I prefer Opera's.
is alot more secure.Eh? (http://www.opera.com/security/)

I got one when I typed in this site. People dont normally get it because they have auto sign in however im at my grandmas using a crappy computer and it doesnt recognize the auto sign in. Its somethign about making some site your homepage, its annoying i was suprised by it.

everyonce in a while after replying youll get a "get your diploma" pop up.

Ok... I have two different answers here.

Is a mod around who would know the answer?

Mozilla Firefox all the way.

Ok... I have two different answers here.
You don't have two different answers, you have two different suggestions. Both are equally valid. I'm in 3rd level OS support, so I actually have a valid clue here. I've visited the site with both Internet Explorer 6.1 and Opera 7.11 and I've never had a pop-up. Check for spyware (with BOTH Ad-aware and SpyBot - they check different things), and consider one of these fine alternate browsers.

It's not just for NS and Jolt. You'll have a better computing experience with the crap removed.
however im at my grandmas using a crappy computer
Granny needs a spyware check too, FS

Sounds like you have one of those Spyware "Assistant" progr4ams like Bonzi buddy or Gator on your machine. those will throw popups at you that your browser cannot block just click the ad aware link up above and download it and run it, it will help you out.
I ran it on a friends computer and it found 90+ pieces of spyware.

While Jolt does indeed have banner ads (upper right corner), they don't use popup advertising. I access this site with both Mozilla (yes, that version, not Firefox) and IE 6.0. I'm philosphically opposed to popup blockers, so I don't run a 3rd party blocker, nor Mozilla's built-in blocker, and I have never gotten a popup from Jolt.

So, yeah, the problem's on your side, not ours.

download most of the programs listed, and run them. if you still get pop-ups in NS then you may just have to reformat your hard drive (sorry dude). spyware can really fuck up your computer, and while spybot and ad-aware are great for removing spyware, sometimes you will come across a spyware program that keeps returning with each check. in which case i would suggest reformating. as most of the replys suggest you might want to think about using a different browser (i use mozilla, firefox, and IE). but if you dont want to use a different browser just download spyware blaster which helps in keeping spyware from ever entering your system, spybot and ad-aware are also good for removing the problem once it gets into your machine. also, a great way to block site popups (not ones coming from your computer) is the google toolbar. i hope that helps.

Ok, so it seems I need a spyware check. Thanks!

But are there any pop-ups on the actual NationStates home page? That's where I'm actually getting them. Not here at the forum, but there when I log in.

Ok, so it seems I need a spyware check. Thanks!

But are there any pop-ups on the actual NationStates home page? That's where I'm actually getting them. Not here at the forum, but there when I log in.

Shouldn't be, and if they're asking you to change your homepage it's almost certainly spyware. Check with Spybot and Ad-Aware, then download Firefox from www.mozilla.org and ditch internet exploder.

if you still get pop-ups in NS then you may just have to reformat your hard drive (sorry dude)

Oh, no! Please don't do that! If the Ad-Aware will help if you make regular scans once per week. Your PC will be malware/spyware/adware-free. I will strongly advise you to get an antoivirus-program and firewall because often Trojans installs such nasty things. I know that from my experience ;)

Ad-Aware + NortonAntivirus + Norton Personal Firewall = Happy User

www.symantec.com
www.pandasoftware.com
for more info

If your using XP there is already a built in FireWall which your stupid if it's not activated

If your using XP there is already a built in FireWall which your stupid if it's not activated


no it is sucky a pain in the ass and having played with xp sp2 beta version i have to say it isnt going to get much better. so i say your better off with zone alarm from download.com or zonelabs.com + the free version is ok. also the protection on the xp firewall menas a lot of online games don work unless ou fiddle for hours zone alrm does it all for you blocks a lot of spyware etc i wouldnt touch the xp firewall with a bargepole

I don't trust the built-in things. Especially if they're from Micro$oft. Also the free firewalls have the nasty habbit to let their sponsor's malware to pass free ;)

I have NO issues with pop-ups or viruses.

Then again, I use EAcceleration software. Ever since getting started on it, Ive been extremely happy with my system. The $4/month to get consistently (and without prompting) virus protection, instant scanning of all downloads, emails, and pop-up blockers is well worth it.

I definitely don't think NationStates, or Jolt for that matter, is behind your pop-up problems; it's most likely - as everyone else says - spyware or adware.

Try downloading a program like Spyboy S&D or Adaware 6.0 to clean the problems up, and while you're at it, run an anti-virus program to make sure you aren't infected with something even worse than spyware.

Norton Internet Security Package = Live Happily Ever After :D

I have NO issues with pop-ups or viruses.

I didn't have either till I made a scan and I found PWSteal.Trojan :D

Norton Internet Security Package = Live Happily Ever After :D

Exactly *thumbs up* :D

Firefox is your answer to stopping pop-up's.

I've got something that keeps making IE revert to some annoying search engine, didnt show up on Spybot, Ad aware or Norton... luckily Mozilla isnt affected.

IE is just a piece of shit.

To actually answer your question, no, I haven't been getting any popups here. I set Opera to let them through and refreshed a few times to check, and I didn't get any.
You can customize Opera rather extensively...It doesn't have to look much like the default.
*Shrugs* I prefer Opera's.
Eh? (http://www.opera.com/security/)

The problem with Opera is that it takes up way to much processing power. When I start Opera and use it it is usually at 125,000 k memory usage. Whereas firefox, with 4 windows open at about 10 tabs per window is running at 77,240 k :p

I didn't have either till I made a scan and I found PWSteal.Trojan :D



Exactly *thumbs up* :D

Ewww... bloatware!

Edit: I hate VB, it doesn't include quotes made in the original post. I was referring to Norton.

Norton Internet Security Package = Live Happily Ever After :D

not really, Norton has a tendancy to fuck everything up. I disabled it and installed zonlabs AVG and it found about 30 viruses that had slipped throgh norton and my computer began working better.

no it is sucky a pain in the ass and having played with xp sp2 beta version i have to say it isnt going to get much better. so i say your better off with zone alarm from download.com or zonelabs.com + the free version is ok. also the protection on the xp firewall menas a lot of online games don work unless ou fiddle for hours zone alrm does it all for you blocks a lot of spyware etc i wouldnt touch the xp firewall with a bargepole
Erm, Zonealarm is as crap as XP's built in Firewall. I find Norton's to be best.

not really, Norton has a tendancy to fuck everything up. I disabled it and installed zonlabs AVG and it found about 30 viruses that had slipped throgh norton and my computer began working better.

30 viruses!? You're my hero! I never had so much in my entire life!
It's all about the settings. Play with them for a while. Using both the firewall and the Antivirus (with activated subscription service) is recommended. Also, do at least one full scan of your PC each week by both the antivirus software and the Ad-Aware. You may want to check www.pandasoftware.com. There you'll find info plus free scan for viruses.

I had 10 virusses, which Norton 2004 completely ignored. Please don't ask me the standard question if I update regularily. I think Norton's days are over. The old guard has to go, and they should let some new wizkids in. They are sleeping on the job :mad:

Lycos has a virus stopper and scanner for download for free and its 20x better then Norton.

McAfee Security seems to do a fairly good job for me. I have never had viruses, and it updates itself regularly, and yells at you if it hasn't been able to in the past week. It also comes with a firewall, but we have it turned off and are actually relying on the firewalls in XP and the one in my wireless router. I might need to turn it on as well.

Ad-Aware did a much better job than AOL Spyware check did, even with the free-ware version. I still had to go in and delete the files that were causing the spyware to resurrect itself, though.

Thanks for all the help!

I don't think a Virus can get through me :p

I have Norton, McAfee, and Lycos Anti-Virus all installed on my computer :eek:
Plus I use Mozilla Firefox with pop-up blocker and spyware killer.

I'm using Mozilla 1.7.1 and Thunderbird for my internet needs, with the occassion IE browser for my university's online course work (it doesn't support anything other than IE).

I also use Nortion SystemWorks and a plethora of other devices I have set to scan at three times during my day in order to keep my laptop crystal clean of infection.

So far, it works.

I'd suggest, for everyone, to use the following at least once a day:
Adaware 6.0 (http://www.download.com/redir?pid=10214379&merid=69274&mfgid=69274&ltype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3120-8022-10214379&ontId=8022&dlrs=1&destUrl=%2F3001-8022-10214379.html)
Spyboy S&D (http://www.download.com/redir?pid=10289035&merid=104443&mfgid=104443&ltype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3120-8022-10289035&ontId=8022&destUrl=%2F3001-8022-10289035.html)
HijackThis (http://www.download.com/redir?pid=10307556&merid=6238250&mfgid=6238250&ltype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3120-8022-10307556&ontId=8022&destUrl=%2F3001-8022-10307556.html) (for advanced users)
RegistryMechanic (http://www.download.com/redir?pid=10238575&merid=62469&mfgid=62469&ltype=dl_elite_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3120-2094-10238575&ontId=2094&destUrl=%2F3001-2094-10238575.html) (for advances users)
Start-up Inspector (http://www.download.com/redir?pid=10294569&merid=59403&mfgid=59403&ltype=dl_dlnow&lop=link&edId=3&siteId=4&oId=3120-2086-10294569&ontId=2086&destUrl=%2F3001-2086-10294569.html)

I also run Norton AntiVirus twice a day on its own, just to make sure, because my university's mainframe has a bad habit of sending out nasty little viruses from POS computers my fellow students bring to school during the year.

We are too far from the topic here :P

Neither NationStates nor Jolt have pop-ups. If you have pop-ups then the problem is spyware/adware and you should clean your PC.

NO MORE ADVERTISING!

DEAD TO... ughh, proceed with the next topic!

Norton Internet Security Package = Live Happily Ever After :DI think NOD32 is a better anti-virus
The problem with Opera is that it takes up way to much processing power. When I start Opera and use it it is usually at 125,000 k memory usage. Whereas firefox, with 4 windows open at about 10 tabs per window is running at 77,240 k :pEh? I have Opera open with 48 pages right now, and it's only 45-50K.
EDIT: It suddenly jump to 75K after I said that...
EDIT2: I minimized and re-maximized it and got it back to 30K, though.
EDIT3: Opera grows as you keep it open, but it hasn't caused me any problems.
EDIT4: It's stabilized at 75-80K.

no it is sucky a pain in the ass and having played with xp sp2 beta version i have to say it isnt going to get much better. so i say your better off with zone alarm from download.com or zonelabs.com + the free version is ok. also the protection on the xp firewall menas a lot of online games don work unless ou fiddle for hours zone alrm does it all for you blocks a lot of spyware etc i wouldnt touch the xp firewall with a bargepole
ZoneAlarm sucks almost as bad as the XP firewall.
I've only used the XP firewall and have had no viruses at ALL.
In the year and a half I've had this computer.

ZoneAlarm sucks almost as bad as the XP firewall.
I've only used the XP firewall and have had no viruses at ALL.
In the year and a half I've had this computer.

Check with another program. No viruses at all is quite strange.

Check with another program. No viruses at all is quite strange.

Not necessarily. I went almost nine months with my laptop, after receiving it in June 2003, without so much as a hidden Trojan in my system. It's all about upkeep and taking care of things, that's all.

Not necessarily. I went almost nine months with my laptop, after receiving it in June 2003, without so much as a hidden Trojan in my system. It's all about upkeep and taking care of things, that's all.

I have set to scan at three times during my day...

...I also run Norton AntiVirus twice a day on its own

Hmm, that's too much

ok, this is insane. Im going to need some more anti virus software, 1 gb has been scanned and i have 10 viruses and i scanned this morning. Either i have a sneaky hidden program hidden somewhere on my computer that downloads continually or they are not getting removed when found.

ok, this is insane. Im going to need some more anti virus software, 1 gb has been scanned and i have 10 viruses and i scanned this morning. Either i have a sneaky hidden program hidden somewhere on my computer that downloads continually or they are not getting removed when found.

This program (probably a Trojan which opens a port and downloads all kinds of nasty things) should be removed right after been discovered. Probably all those viruses came from infected e-mail, websites (just few hours I found a directory that tried to install browser hijacker on my PC *Norton + AVG kills everything* :D ) or CDs. And probably your antivirus program is:
a)not configured right
b)it's not updating
c)you don't scan your PC regulary
d)the program sucks

a)not configured right
b)it's not updating
c)you don't scan your PC regulary
d)the program sucks

A) can you actually customise an anti virus program?
B) it was updated about 24 hours ago
C) I do, infact twice today
D) AVG seems ok but i don't think it removes everything and norton is disabled, as it tends to mess my comp up

note: i just installed ad-aware and am scanning with that aswell

A) can you actually customise an anti virus program?The ones I've tried (McAfee, Norton, avast!, and NOD32) can be customized to some extent.

I strongly suggest having both Spybot and Ad-aware...They tend to catch different sorts of things.

Hmm, that's too much

Not really; it keeps it clean, and I never have to be there for the scans to do there job.

A) can you actually customise an anti virus program?
B) it was updated about 24 hours ago
C) I do, infact twice today
D) AVG seems ok but i don't think it removes everything and norton is disabled, as it tends to mess my comp up

note: i just installed ad-aware and am scanning with that aswell

A. Yes you can. at least the paid antivirus programs like Norton. Play with the settings for a while.
B.Your program sucks.
C.Your program sucks
D.Strange, Norton is running without any problems on my PC and it works fine with the firewall and AVG

TBT, you don't actually know what's going on with his/her programs/anti-virus software/PC, therefore, you can't say "it sucks" without full disclosure about the exact specifications of the PC/browser/whatever in this circumstance.

Norton does have a 1 in 1000 odds of messing up a PC - as it doesn't load properly - , my step-mother fell victim to it with her eMachine and Norton, thus, she runs McAfee on it.

A. Yes you can. at least the paid antivirus programs like Norton. Play with the settings for a while.
B.Your program sucks.
C.Your program sucks
D.Strange, Norton is running without any problems on my PC and it works fine with the firewall and AVG

well i scanned with ad-aware and it found about 1000 bits of nasty code, and my computer is now happy as can be

TBT, you don't actually know what's going on with his/her programs/anti-virus software/PC, therefore, you can't say "it sucks" without full disclosure about the exact specifications of the PC/browser/whatever in this circumstance.

B) it was updated about 24 hours ago
C) I do, infact twice today

I was trying to say if your up-to-date correctly configured antivirus doesn't find the viruses when you scan regulary it sucks and you should either change it or get a second one to help it. It's obvious.

BTW, Ad-Aware Rulezzz! :D