Webpage being opened

corblimey

After I turn on my computer, for about 3 hours at regular interval, a webpage is automatically opened in FF. If FF is opened, then the page I'm on is replaced with this new page. The page is in relation to eTrust antivirus asking me to buy it now. I will soon, but for the time being, I'd like to take out this annoying 'feature'. Can anyone point me to where this setting might be (autorun or anything like that?)

r3nu4l

Sounds like adware to me.

Download, install and run adaware and SpyBot S&D. They should find and eliminate the culprit for you. They can be downloaded here.

However, if you have programs installed that rely on you allowing adware, then removing the adware could stop the program working. I remember years ago DivX player used to have adware installed, not sure if it still does.

There are a number of threads on boards dealing with removing adware/spyware/malware

corblimey

I have Spybot-SD resident and running, but obviously when I installed this particular piece of software, I allowed it to add some little piece of spyware as part of the regular installation. Is there anything Spybot can do about it now?

r3nu4l

Run Adaware first, see what it brings up.

Perhaps uninstall SpyBot, re-install the latest version and run it again. It may pick up the responsible program this time.

Alternatively download, install and run 'HiJack This'. Don't check any boxes and hit the 'fix' button. Save the log and post it here.

Have you ever installed eTrust antivirus before? It may not be fully uninstalled. Did it come with the machine and is now out of date?

corblimey

r3nu4l wrote:

Run Adaware first, see what it brings up.

Perhaps uninstall SpyBot, re-install the latest version and run it again. It may pick up the responsible program this time.

Alternatively download, install and run 'HiJack This'. Don't check any boxes and hit the 'fix' button. Save the log and post it here.

Have you ever installed eTrust antivirus before? It may not be fully uninstalled. Did it come with the machine and is now out of date?

Adaware came up with a few things, but the problem is still ongoing. AV is out of date, that's what is causing the problem, I don't want to uninstall it, I am going to renew it, just need to wait until the end of the month.

I'll try Hijack This, see if anything jumps out at me.

r3nu4l

Wait a minute...are you using eTrend AV at the moment?

If so, then that is definitely the problem.

Uninstall eTrends and install Avast Anti-virus. See here. You could use AVG but I prefer AVAST, it updates itself daily, free of charge and is a good Anti-Virus program.

petes

Do as r3nu4l says. Uninstall it and get a free anti virus program. As good, if not better.