Pop-ups

[chadlnc]

I'm getting hammered by pop-ups from the addresses:

xads.offeroptimizer.com and
xlime.offeroptimizer.com

I have run adaware and SpyBot and neither has taken care of it. I'm running ZoneAlarm Pro and that doesn't catch them either. Anyone got any clues?

[ribitch]

get a mac and use safari


:D

[chadlnc]

Blah blah blah, should have seen that coming :D

Any linux users want to chime in?

[jase71]

Originally posted by chadlnc

Any linux users want to chime in?

Sure. Install Linux and use Konqueror (the browser Apple's Safari is based on!). :P

Seriously, though... if you know the URLs that the popups are coming from, couldn't you put them in your hosts file, and tag them with a 127.0.0.1 IP address?

That way, whenever it tries to hit those URLs, it'll associate them with 127.0.0.1, your localhost IP.

Then again, that might only give you "Page not found" popups... but it's at least worth a shot. My Windows troubleshooting skills have gone downhill since I switched to linux a couple of years ago.

Are you getting these popups all the time? Or only when you're surfing? Anything unusual running in your Task Manager? Anything strange in your Add/Remove programs list?

[chadlnc]

I'm getting them only when I am surfing, I haven't seen anything unusual in my task manager. I did add them to my HOSTS file, but that did only give me blank pop ups. I'm thinking about writing their advertisers (AT&T, Cheaptickets.com, OFOTO.com) and telling them it isn't going to help their business to piss people off.

[jase71]

If you're getting them only while surfing, then there's a couple of options.

It might be a good time to try out an alternative web browser. Firebird is a good option. Mozilla is decent, but a bit bloated. Opera has a lot of fans. All are a bit more resistant than IE to the addons, spyware, and popups that haunt the net.

Doesn't FIX the problem, but might be a way around it. I put Firebird on my wife's laptop after she griped about popups, and she hasn't complained since...

[chadlnc]

Might just have to do that, thanks.

[gwilks98]

Run a virus scan. There's a virus out there that prevents the removal of certain spyware programs. If I can remember the link, I'll post.

[chadlnc]

I'll do that, I thought Norton just ran the other night, but I will run it again to make sure. In the meantime I have switched to Firebird, which wasn't too bad of a switch, operates a lot like Safari.

I did run offeroptimizer.com to see who owns it. I'll be giving them a call later today :angry: Hopefully the number is correct.

[ray]

check this thread out. these forums have a boatload of threads regarding offeroptimizer. hope it helps

http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=17699&hl=offeroptimizer

[chadlnc]

I'll check that out when I get home. I know I don't have the weather bug crap, but I'm not sure if I saw the other thing.

Thanks.

[chadlnc]

I do have twaintec.dll showing up, I'm getting rid of it and we'll see what happens.

[gwilks98]

http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/virusencyclo/default5.asp?VName=ADW_RULEDOR.C

This wasn't the one I was looking for, but it's one we found last week.

[jase71]

Originally posted by chadlnc
I do have twaintec.dll showing up, I'm getting rid of it and we'll see what happens.

A quick google search shows twaintec.dll as being part of an adware package, so it could easily explain your popups...

[chadlnc]

Originally posted by chosenfool
hmmm...use a pop-up killer like freesurfer mk II?

There wasn't a pop-up killer out there that was doing anything about it. However after getting rid of twaintec.dll I have yet to have another pop-up. Thanks to everyone and to all a good night.