Q: Well, let me start by saying this is done on the computer of a client, not mine . 
Here is what happens. The computer is running Windows 2000 and has a broadband connection, but no firewall. At random times of day, porn ads will only appear on the screen. No matter what the computer does the operator at the time, they may QuickBooks or playing solitaire or with anything, when WHAM! pops a porno screen.
I checked that there is someone surfing porn on this machine by looking at the History and Temporary Internet Files. I then deleted all temporary Internet files, all of history and all cookies from the machine. This is not to stop the ads popping up.
The question is, is there somewhere a hidden program on the machine from a call to the server and asks the porn ads or porn, the server just the Internet address of this machine and it just keeps sending the ads? I guess that something on this machine that is sending information .
I know there are many ad / pop-up blocking software applications out there, but Im thinking I should be able to solve this without purchasing the software. After all, most people do not have this type of software and they do not popups.
Where else can I look in Windows 2000 to determine where this nonsense comes from?
Thanks for any help.
Re:to find out what things are running, use regedit and go to
hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\curr ent version\run
and look in there. Also, check the two folders call run once and run services to find stuff there. This is how you get to places when you dont have an msconfig utility.
Re:I found the problem. There was an application on the computer called Rapidblaster. I asked the person who uses the computer twice what this application was. They replied it was a pinball game. I guess I should have known since Windows 2000 comes with pinball. I didn't bother to check it out. It wasn't until I surfed deeper into the porn site that I found a customer service nuimber which I was able to call and get directions for removal (I was shocked how easy it was).
Re:Don't know why this has not yet been suggested, but why don't you go get the free version of Zone Alarm Pro HERE (http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp) Install and configure, then the problem should go away.
Hope this helps.
-guy <><
Re:What's the registry key?
Sounds like there's an app running on the system that's going out to the net for porn every now and then. Just killing the reg key won't stop the app if it's running. Kill the reg entry and reboot to kill the app.
And let us know the registry key.
Re:Just an update…
The windows keep popping up even when adware tells me that there are no suspicious keys or files. In a new twist, it seems that a new program has been automatically downloaded and installed on this computer. A new icon just appeared on the desktop with the title "Naughty Strip Player" and a folder with the name "Strip Player" was created in the Program Files folder on the hard drive.
This is beginning to drive me crazy! The people who create this sh!t out to be shot…
Re:I downloaded and installed the adaware program from lavasoft. Ran the scan against everything and it identified a suspicious registry key and cookie. I had the program delete the registry key and cookie. Thought for sure this would solve the problem but 10 minutes later, the windows started popping up again. I ran the adaware scan again and it again identified a suspicious registry key. I deleted it again. 10 minutes later the windows open again and the process repeats…
Now I think I may have done reboots after removing the registry key so perhaps there is something in the startup process that keeps creating it. As you said, Windows 2000 does not contain the MSCONFIG program. Isn't there another way in Windows 2000 to see what it running at startup??? If this program can be downloaded from the internet and run, why didn't Microsoft just include it in the OS?
I also ran an up to date virus scan which came back clean. All critical updates from Microsoft are also installed.
Re:On second thought, I think Windows 2000 may not include 'msconfig' .. but you can try by typing 'msconfig' at the Run command. If nothing happens, then what you can do is do a search online and download it yourself. It will work fine. Just make sure to do a virus scan on any downloads of the msconfig utility.
Re:Ad-Aware is excellent. Also you can add PopUp Stopper by Panicware.com. And if you really want to eliminate such garbage (assuming it is not a virus or worm) get rid of KaZaa if you have it installed.
Oh yeah, . . . and if you are running IE6 under XP you can also crank up your privacy setting.
Re:I recommend first doing a virus scan with the latest dat files. Many times, the porn popups are caused by a virus written by those trying to promote their porn sites. Also, type 'msconfig' in the Run option the Start menu. Look at the startup tab and see if you can find any startup programs being loaded that would cause the popups.
I once had a client who's Internet Explorer homepage would always set the home page to a porn site. I scanned the computer, and found the virus and cleaned it, but for some reason, the homepage would always return to the porn site no matter what. I looked at the msconfig utility and saw that the porn site virus had added a line in the startup that would change the home page to the porn site. Of course, the virus scanner would skip right over the startup program since it had no sign of being a virus. I just unchecked the startup option for that program and found it and deleted it and it was solved…
Re:Hidden spyware/adware somewhere is my guess. Go to http://www.lavasoftusa.com and get Ad-Aware. That should fix it. Also, run a virus scan.
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