When you get the initial pop up/fake window is that the start of the infection?

Hi guys

I have not had any pop ups ,but I am reading a few of these threads with interest and some confusion.When you get the fake window pop ups is that when the infection starts/is already on your machine OR is it when you have clicked on the window to

A)get rid of the window by using the X

B)or clicked to install the fake product.(I suppose this would mean yes you are up the creek!)

Its just a general question that will help me and hopefully others know what not to do and what to do,I think Phil_D suggested once about using alt f4 to get out of a tricky situation without having to touch the pop up at all(PLEASE Phil_D correct me if I'm wrong)

Hi Red

So If IT has not been "activated" its semi harmless and that is the time to get rid of it?Can it theoretically just sit in a unopened state and cause no harm until removed?Just trying to understand the nature of the beast.

Windows's patches and services packs block out most of the malware. The ones that sneak past, as I find, are all very stealthy. None so far have gave me any popups. For example, I surfed the web w/o virus protection since I aqquired a computer in 1997 to 2005. I never had any major malware problems. I know that I did have SpySheriff on my computer because there was a .html document that claimed I had a virus and the link linked me to spysherrif's site.

 

As for your question, the answer is it depends. If the popup occurs when you are offline, then you are almost certainly infected. The popup could also be a link to malware. 

 

 

Hello, mo,

      Some pop-ups may be just attempts to get on to your system; others may be already installed on your system and, once you click on the "OK" or whatever, it will be "activated" or Downloaded and Installed on your system.  I would say more-often-then-not, if you get a pop-up, it will already be on your system.

 

If a pop-up does occur, Scan with the Updated Virus Definitions to make sure that it is not in your system; would advise in Safe Mode, too.  I would also either Block All Traffic, if you use N.I.S. 2007 or 2009 and then click the "x" or the "OK"; if you use N.I.S. 2008, Dis-connect from the Internet before doing anything.  If, after Connecting to the Internet, you notice your computer really slowing down, it is time to Update and Scan in Safe Mode.

 

When anything from Mis-leading Applications to Trojans get Installed on your system, they will cause Harm; Mis-leading Applications are a Medium Risk, so should be Removed as soon as possible.

Message Edited by Floating_Red on 11-03-2008 10:44 PM

I never get any pop ups. Best way to avoid them is to use Firefox with Ad Blocker Plus and No Script.

 

 http://en-us.www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

 

 https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865

 

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722

Hi All

Thanks for your answers concerning this,As I said I don't have this problem but wanted to understand what is happening with these false pop-ups etc.You guys have given me some great insight and I hope I never have to use your advice but if I do at least I have somewhere to start from.Thanks Diesel for the preventative approach.I won't mark it as solved to see if there are any other valid opinions,because all of you have given a different perspective on this "curse".Thats if it's ok with the all seeing Mods?:smileyvery-happy:

Hi mo,

 

Allow me to jump in this discussion with a tip for you.

 

If you ever encounter any of these "fake alerts", the best way to close the window is to hold the "Alt" key and then hit the "F4" key.

 

Some of these underhanded folks are getting rather sneaky and when you click on the "X" to close the window, that action may actually start the download!

 

I picked that one up from huwyngr.

Hi guys

I have not had any pop ups ,but I am reading a few of these threads with interest and some confusion.When you get the fake window pop ups is that when the infection starts/is already on your machine OR is it when you have clicked on the window to

A)get rid of the window by using the X

B)or clicked to install the fake product.(I suppose this would mean yes you are up the creek!)

Its just a general question that will help me and hopefully others know what not to do and what to do,I think Phil_D suggested once about using alt f4 to get out of a tricky situation without having to touch the pop up at all(PLEASE Phil_D correct me if I'm wrong)