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[BERT ASHTONParticipant @bertashton57372]

Question for Neil, Moderator, I have recently posted a couple of threads on

this site only to find that some of the words have been highlighted in blue and double underlined, if clicked on it brings up a advert, is this necessary or has

some dark force taken over.

Bert Ashton.

[BERT ASHTONParticipant @bertashton57372]

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hi Bert,

This isn't something we do.

It sounds like you may have unwittingly installed an unwanted 'browser helper object' – there's one type of adware that identifies key words on webpages you look at and converts them into advertising links. You may need something like Spybot to get rid of it.

They are pernicious as they add links to pages you are browsing and you don't realise they aren't part of the original page – unless, of course, the links are added to your own content.

This (genuine) link explains what they are:

**LINK**

Spybot S&D is free and very effective at getting rid of adware:

**LINK**

Neil

[BERT ASHTONParticipant @bertashton57372]

Thanks Neil, I have Spybot and I will run it later.

Bert Ashton

[BERT ASHTONParticipant @bertashton57372]

Neil, I ran Spybot and removed a few adware items but it did not solve the problem.

I then checked my programs and found ZOMBIE INVASION, this program had been installed

today without my knowledge, I uninstalled this program and now things are working

as they should be.

I blame Yahoo for this, very sneaky.

Bert Ashton.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Very often if you download free software you get offered various add-ons by default. I now take great care to untick all the boxes.

Neil

[ronan walshParticipant @ronanwalsh98054]

I had this nuisance too bert, its definately a virus, trojan or spyware, dunno which one it is technically.

[GoCreateParticipant @gocreate]

Bert, have a look in your control panel – programs and look down the list for any unexpected programs.

I found 2 programs had been installed without my knowledge, one was called something like "shopad", after un-installing the programs this problem disappeared.

Nigel

[Enough!Participant @enough]

Posted by tractionengine42 on 07/11/2014 08:15:51:

Bert, have a look in your control panel – programs and look down the list for any unexpected programs.

That may be good for "nuisance-ware" but true malware installs without giving you the option. How likely is it to give you the option to uninstall by a 'gentlemanly' entry in control panel?

In any case, browser exploits removal tools are more likely to be found – if at all – in the add-ons/extensions section of the browser.

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