Blocking Popups/Popunders

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 21st, 2005, 9:18 am

Lots of people posting they are getting popups. First don't blame firefox. Advertisers are always coming up with ways to try to get around adblocking software.

The following works every time, NO popups ever.

1) The first thing to do is to make sure these pop-ups are not being generated from within. That's right ... many parasites, adware enabled software downloads and P2P files will create pop-ups. They do this for various reasons including trying to entice you into purchasing some other type software such as pop-up blockers, or "IE cleaners". Don't get fooled by these tactics .... remove them by scanning your system for spyware and parasites.

Next make sure these pop-ups are not "Messenger Service Spam". These are generated by the same type sleazy characters (parasites) however they take advantage of the fact that the user does not have a Firewall installed or not setup properly.

2) Use a HOSTS file to block ads, banners, cookies, web bugs, and even most hijackers. This is accomplished by blocking the Server that supplies these little gems. Example - the following entry 127.0.0.1 ad.doubleclick.net blocks all files supplied by that DoubleClick Server to the web page you are viewing. This also prevents the server from tracking your movements. http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm Lock your Host file so it is read only.

3) Install the adblocking extension and install the newest set of filters from G. Filter http://www.geocities.com/pierceive/adblock/

4) Do not accept cookies from any site you do not have to.

5) Use Popupblocker only allow from sites you trust.

6) Install good antispyware such as
Spybot search and destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Spyblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Adaware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

6) Use a good firewall. Personally I use Outpost Firewall Pro http://www.agnitum.com/index.html
Zonealarm is a pretty simple one to configure http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

7) Use a good antivirus program.

8) Add a Startup Monitor to your Layered Protection. I use Winpatrol but there are many good freeware ones.

9) Do not allow websites to download software except for ones you trust.

You can also use Bust Banner Ads with Proxy Auto Configuration http://www.schooner.com/~loverso/no-ads/#whatis I have not tried this method.

If you are still getting popups/unders check to make sure you do not have adware programs installed.

if you have had a previous "Spyware\Adware" problem, it may be possible that the infection may have altered your system settings. You can determine this by running HijackThis.

Clear your Cache and your IE Temp files.

If you follow these steps you will not get any popups/unders.

Please stop posting you are getting popups in multiple threads. Thanks.

Again the problem is not Firefox but how most people have the security on their PC set up.
javascript:emoticon(':locked:')
Locked

If possible Mods can we make one of the threads a Sticky? Thanks.

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 22nd, 2005, 6:31 am

Adding /[\/.]*popup*[\/.]/ to Adblock seems to block all the popunders people have been having problems with.

Adding /[^\x20-\xFF]/ takes care of the IDN exploit. G Filterset http://www.geocities.com/pierceive/adblock/ blocks the fastlick/doubleclick/casalemedia popups.

Always make backups of your Firefox profile and bookmarks. http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_:_Tips_:_Backup

Oh yeah for new Firefox users please take a few minutes to read http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firefox_:_FAQs Most of your questions are answered there.

Post by **LeRoi** » February 22nd, 2005, 7:44 am

Isn't there some kind of configuration of ad block that should be done so that it doesn't interfere with Java applets? I was thinking of installing it, but can't find that info since I read it the first time and don't want to mess up my Java performance.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » February 22nd, 2005, 7:57 am

I haven't noticed any problems yet LeRoi, but I'm no expert.....you might want to check out their forum over there:
http://adblock.mozdev.org/forum.html/no_wrap

Post by **LeRoi** » February 22nd, 2005, 8:12 am

Thanks, Guest, I went there and did some searching, found people having problems with Java, but no real solutions. Thought I had seen something about a certain something that had to be done to prevent adblock from interfering with Java at the Mozillazine forums somewhere, but can't find it again.

I don't have time to keep searching right now, but will pick up where I left off later in the day. Thanks again.

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 22nd, 2005, 8:17 am

I usually just have Java turned off. I am running WinMe, I went to the java test page http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml with or without Adblock enabled it worked just fine.

I am using Java Plug-in 1.4.2_06 for Netscape Navigator. Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Win 9x 4.90; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

Here is a topic about Java and Adblock form the Adblock forum http://aasted.org/adblock/viewtopic.php ... 5f2fc#5822

Sounds to me like the issue is a JAVA Firefox problem not Java and Adblock.

OlGranDad · Post by **OlGranDad** » February 22nd, 2005, 8:33 am

Any time, LeRoi.....glad to have been able to return maybe just a little help.....you have no clue how much help your posts have been since I started with Fx on 11/9.

(Sorry forthe "Guest" post, wasn't logged in earlier)

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 22nd, 2005, 8:58 am

Ok inorder to play Yahoo games I had to update to 1.5 and turn Adblock off.

missdatabase · Post by **missdatabase** » February 23rd, 2005, 3:01 pm

Thanks for your many suggestions, Craigevil. I'm trying to keep my computer clean with a particular product; maybe you can help.

I use Ad-Aware SE, which is the free version from Lavasoft. But it doesn't seem to pick up any cookies or what-have-you when I use Firefox. (It just gives results for IE sessions by my kids.)

The Lavasoft website says I can get Ad-Aware to work with Firefox via some kind of registry-fiddling, which I am loathe to try. The site even wants me to go to the dreaded Microsoft so-called help pages for starters.

Is registry-rustling the only way I can get Ad-Aware to work with Firefox? I think I read of a Firefox extension that would help me, but I couldn't find it.

Lavasoft /Ad-Aware seems to be a good product; I've used earlier versions and have been pleased. It's easy and seems quicker than Spyblaster. Should I just use Spyblaster anyway?

Or should I try some other malware prevention program that works with Firefox without any fuss?

Much obliged for your help. (Am I posting in the right place? I'm not sure how this site works, sorry.)

Thanks all!

PS I use Windows XP home, SP 2, with Firefox 1.0 as my default browser.

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 23rd, 2005, 3:42 pm

Spyblaster works along wuth Firefox to block "bad" cookies and spyware.

The only thing Adware doesn't find sepcific to Firefox is the cookies. Keep your cookies off except for sites you trust and you don't have to worry about it. Adware still finds spyware/adware that you might download and install.

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 24th, 2005, 8:15 am

Spybot search and destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Spyblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html (AntiHijackers/bad cookie blocker)
Spyguard http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html (AntiHijackers/bad cookie blocker)

Adaware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

Hijackthis http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

WinPatrol (start up monitor) http://www.winpatrol.com/

I use all of the above. The only ones running normally are Spyguard and WinPatrol.
I do a scan with Adaware and Spybot weekly. Av scan daily with AVG.
I also use a HOSTS file, do not run Java normally unless I need it. Have Flashblock enabled, Popup block enabled. And of course Adblock because I hate ads. Host file seems to catch alot of them.

/* 0=no blocking, 1=treat like any other popup window (limits number), 2=block completely */
user_pref("privacy.popups.disable_from_plugins", 2);

Seeemed to help with the popups.

I also set Outpost to not allow any active content for a page until I am sure the site is ok.

Yep call me paranoid. Never had a virus and only once had a Trojan(stupid Kazaa download) in almost 10 years on the net.

Firefox Rules!!!!!

I haven't had a problem in almost a year and none since I switch to Firefox.

G'Dad · Post by **G'Dad** » February 24th, 2005, 8:27 am

craigevil wrote:Yep call me paranoid. ....

OK, you're paranoid.....hehehe<ahem>sorry<ahem><couldn't resist>

ANYway, I still stand by Adblock and Spywareblaster along with Norton Corp. edition ("left over" license from work

), AdAware and Spybot S&D run weekly.

Get the Adblock extension from the Extensions Mirror:
http://www.extensionsmirror.nl/index.php?showtopic=774
(Get the repackaged version for Firefox 1.0)

Then get Filterset G:
http://www.geocities.com/pierceive/adblock/

Then SpywareBlaster:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

I get zero ads/popups/popunders, vrii or trojans, with Java, Javascript and Flash enabled.
(No HOSTS or PAC files.....yet.....too complicated for some of us old guys right now.....we'll see how "agressive" some of these Madison Ave types get.)

Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.0; en-US; rv:1.7.5) Gecko/20041107 Firefox/1.0

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » February 24th, 2005, 4:23 pm

Darn the popups! Wish I had some. So many people keep posting they keep getting them makes me feel lonely.

renecutts@yahoo.co.uk · March 2nd, 2005, 2:34 am

I continue to have popunders from www.casino. no matter how many times I run AdAware. What can I do. I have McAffee firewall.

craigevil · Post by **craigevil** » March 3rd, 2005, 8:36 am

What have you tried to use so far.

Are you using Adblock? Hosts file? Try blocking the content using your firewall.

In order for us to help we have to know what you are doing to try to block the popup.

If you are just using Popup blocker you will continue to get popups.