Hi,

I am using a Win 95 machine now, but this would happen on my former Win 98 machine too (IE 5.5. and 6.0, respectively).

When I go to open certain websites (even "normal" ones, like the online version of a newspaper), I may get a popup ad -- BUT, some of them cause my PC to suddenly switch from the AOL screen to the screen of another program I have open, or to minimize it to the desktop. It will take awhile before I can successfully click or alt/tab back to the program I want. I assume this is spyware. But does anything about that pattern -- that it can actually bump me to another program -- (while remaining connected to the Internet) show that it is probably a bad kind of spyware?

Sometimes the separate browser window of the ad is just empty, not even displaying something for sale. Like, I just got one titled "Zedo." And sometimes their windows are placed so that I can't reach anything to close them. Is something downloading during that time -- should I sign off immediately if I can't close the ad window?

My version of AOL is too low (highest compatible with this machine) to have the 'new' automatic popup blocker. And you can't install your own directly onto the AOL browser. I did put Google's popup blocker on my separate IE browser, but I usually don't use that browser because it's inconvenient in various ways not to surf straight through the AOL browser and use its tools.

But do I need to change my ways -- might Google's (or another) popup blocker save me from big grief someday? I do have spywareblaster and spybot (which misses tons by itself, I've seen on other machines), but many others including online scanners won't run with Win 95. And not worth buying any progs for this dumpy old machine. I got some tips here recently on securing 95 and will look into them, but for now, can someone tell me because I've always wondered: is it a certain kind of -- and a "dangerous" kind of -- spyware to be able to actually bump you into another program (and hold you there for awhile)? Or is that just the way older OSs react to some routine, harmless junk? Thanks!!!!

Hi,

Dump IE & AOL.

Use Mozilla.

Get virus scanned at TrendMicro.

Yes, I do hear a lot of advice saying to get rid of IE! That I just might do. Is it easy with Win 95 -- I thought Microsoft used to build things so you were forced to use IE only.

Of course I also know many detest AOL, for good reasons. Right or wrong, I may be one of those annoying people who just can't change -- I've had it since 1995.

Anyway, Trendmicro doesn't scan for spyware does it? And I don't know which good ones will with Win 95.

Can you answer the question about if it is a certain kind of spyware that causes my programs to switch, or whether it's just the way older OSs react to some routine popup or cookie types? Just very curious.

You don't have to get rid of IE in order to use another browser - you can have several if you like (many do).

"if it is a certain kind of spyware that causes my programs to switch, or whether it's just the way older OSs react to some routine popup or cookie types"

say what now?

Doesn't sound normal, but with AOL -- who knows??

Run HiJackThis! and paste your log into the automated site for a quick check.

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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Wow, sounds perfect jboy! As you may have noticed, I'm your old friend from the "Reformat, reinstall or upgrade..." thread, which I'm on my way to check right now. I posted a Startlog.com log there as suggested, but Hijackthis may be a more detailed log, so I'll check it out too. As mentioned on the other thread, I also found it odd that my IE keeps automatically reverting to "Never" checking for newer versions of web pages every time I reboot (excuse me if that was already commented on over there, I'll see in a minute).

If I install Mozilla (is that the one you recommend too? Is that the "Firefox" one?), will it require a lot of room/resources? Maybe I can make up for it by ditching Norton SystemWorks, as also considered on the other thread. I don't use Outlook Express ever, wish I could get rid of both that and IE.

Thanks!

I think you may find Firefox a bit much for your machine - I tried it out on a similar one (with more RAM) and, while nice, could have performed better. Give it a try though - you can always ditch it if you don't like it. I prefer Opera v6 for low end machines, but unlike the others, it's a commercial product. Older versions of Netscape run ok, (v4.xx) but are a bit lacking.

Check your IE preferences, but it may be that HJT! will reveal something. Also, doesn't Spybot have a feature that 'locks' your IE settings?

At any rate, can't hurt to do a scan and see if there is anything lurking.

I believe you can uninstall OE from your system. While I'm not big fan of IE, it is useful for some sites, and it does update certain system files when installed. A while back I downloaded IE4 so I could put the quicklaunch toolbar (active desktop) onto some 95 machines - a bit of an effort, but nice to have.

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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Well jboy, you were right, Spybot does have locking options. But guess what, I just tried it out and unless I was misinterpreting their function, they didn't hold! There are two options, to "Lock IE control panel from opening within IE (current user)," and to "Lock IE start page setting against user changes (current user)." The first one has always been set by default, so I also ticked the second. But as usual lately, on restart my IE was set back to "Never look for newer versions of web pages"!!!

And I do make sure I'm doing what a program requires to enact the change I just made ("Apply," "Save," whatever). Until another restart the setting will hold. I did check all my other IE settings to make sure something hadn't lowered my security, and the rest of them are the same. Guess maybe my IE needs to be reinstalled? Pain to remember, but I'd probably just manually set it right on each restart instead. I think IE itself has a locking feature now, but in versions higher than I can have.

But to remain secure, especially on an older machine, the first thing one *should* do is ditch IE, huh? I thought I read that Firefox was small and fast, but oh well. What do lower versions of Netscape lack?

Like I've been saying, you can have IE installed just try not to use it - that is how (as I understand it) the hijacks, redirects etc gain control, by taking advantage of IE. There are ways (lots And lots of ways) to run IE and be secure - I just can't be bothered.

'small and fast' - - well, yeah, but everything is relative. Generally those comments apply to more modern machines with sufficient RAM & processing power, and small would be a comparison to IE's bloated installation - what is it now - 80Mb or more??

I had tried out an earlier Firefox version as well as Opera7 on a 233MHz w 80MbRAM, 98SE -the performance wasn't terrible, but I reverted back to Opera6

My ISP bundled Netscape 4.72 with their support CD - it's alright, but pages & scripts don't always display well. I can't recall, but I don't think it used Java (it's a pretty old version).

Netscape 7.2 is not bad, but I'm running an 866MHz machine now, and it could be a little faster. There is a feature to have it idle in the system tray for quicker loading, but I mainly use it for my ISP mail account. I've been using Opera for so long now, everything else seems pretty alien.

Opera users have enjoyed 'tabbed' browsing and popup blocking for years now - the other browsers are playing 'catchup'

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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How much does Opera cost? Does it work with all websites? I suppose if it doesn't, those are the ones I'd just open IE for? Thanks!

I think it's around $40 (US), but I believe that's for the current v7.xx - there are pages that don't display properly, but this is true with Mozilla/Firefox too, I've heard. The people at Opera call that PAS (Page Author Stupid) and there is evidence to suggest that in some cases it's a quite deliberate effort from M$ (see Bork Edition)

I still use IE 5.5 or Netscape7 for those pages that insist on it (online scans, for instance) although Opera v7 is a lot more compatible than it's predecessors.

Tech Support: "I need you to boot the computer."

Customer: THUMP! Pause. "No, that didn't help."

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