It's all that porn denny. Stop going to those satanic pornsites.

(I'm not knocking pornsites, and the comments posted here are not the actual thoughts of the author.)

I love porn.

I read that Andrew Sullivan's perpetually wadded panties were wadded a bit more apropos the new Pope.

That can only mean one thing: The new Pope takes Catholicism seriously, eschewing the watered-down anything goes 'progressive' version that passes for religion in New York city circles. If Sullivan imagines there will be a...wait, who cares what he imagines?

Denny, you've got skillz. How could you let something like this happen to you?

Hey Denny,
This this stuff, it might help.

Ad-aware SE Personal Free Edition by Lavasoft

AVG Free by Grisoft

Pop-up blocker at panicware.com

Good luck. These keep my computer clean.

Budman8

I recently had to format and reload a YEAR OLD computer due to a trojan and some other spyware junk that wreaked havoc with my machine (actually my sons machine)
And upon the advice of a trusted computer geek, I downloaded the free FIREFOX browser with built in pop up blocker (and I downloaded their adblock extension) Not only did this stop all the madness (pop up wise and ad-wise) BUT Firefox is a far far safer and secure browser, as IE is notoriously WEAK in that area. Havent had any more problems, and I would never go back to IE.

http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

I tried AVG and it fouled up everything I had going! Had to un-install it to do ANYTHING!!Also tried Firefox and it is currently driving me nuts because no links work! Now in the process of trying to get rid of Firefox. Of course, my probs could be because, like you, I'm trying to get back to "normal" -- whatever that is! LOL

Firefox has a simple uninstall (control panel-add and remove programs) However, if NO LINKS work with Firefox, I doubt its a FIREFOX problem. Sounds like you need a format and reload... As stated earlier, FIREFOX has been a godsend, no pop ups, no ads...and far far greater security....

I know your pain. I had to have some work done on my, then the domino effect happened, everything started going wrong with it. It is now in the process of getting a brand spanking new motherboard. I hate worms, viruses, spammers...Grrrrr! Luckily I've got a loaner to hold hostage until I get mine back!
Good luck.

I use Firefox normally (it still renders some sites wrong or does not work at all on others) for its tabs (simply less clutter than six IE browsers open at once).

AVG 7.0 - never had a problem with it. Catches viruses (virii?) all the time.

In addition, I use Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware SE Professional, and a program called spywareblaster that sets up your browsers to reject cookies, ActiveX controls, etc. Haven't had a problem with spyware in many months. I used to use Webroot's Spy Sweeper (a real-time scanner that works with IE; it is one of the best products) but I do so no longer given the rare use of IE.

Oh, everyone, there are pop-ups that can get through Firefox now. Go to Drudgereport with Firefox (even 1.0.3) and you will see an example.

Well, if you want to get work done without having to try and outwit Bill Gates and Company then you must get a new Mac. Get a Mac and these sorts of problems go away. Plus it's built on a proven industrial strength OS - BSD Unix and not that half assed crap put out by Microsoft.

Just a thought...

Plus, I can help you set it up. See it's a conspiracy. First the Comment Spam and now the Microsoft products. :-)

MS has a spam blocker thats in beta and can be downloaded from them...its free untill June 15th. I have it running on several of my machines at the corp office.

I, too, learned to stop worrying and love the Mac. In addition to owning and running a videography business that couldn't exist without Macs, I suppliment my income by disinfecting PCs and installing all of the above mentioned software on people's computers. Spyware, trojans, and the insecurity of Windows combined with my Macs and digital video equipment is making me rich.

I go to DRUDGE all the time, several times a day...no ads or pop ups get thru with Firefox

Jesse is right...Linux, Mac, whatever...anything but Microsoft. Stability is free, if you want it.

No big deal...

One more thing...FIREFOX rocks, whether you're in a *NIX or Windows enviroment, it is the catdaddy. If someone has a problem with Firefox, they probably shouldn't have a computer. I'm just saying.

Hi Denny -

From one who was at the Wreckyll....

Presuming that you're stuck with Windows of whatever rev, use the following:

1. ANY reasonably modern virus checker. I use Norton at work, AVG at home. AVG is free, and is More Than Good Enough.

2. SpyBot Search and Destroy AND AdAware. Use them both. What one doesn't catch, the other one will.

3. IE if you absolutely have to. Maxthon if you like the way IE works if it isn't infected. Firefox is less susceptible, but nothing is perfect.

Alternate plan B: If you get afford to get away from Windows entirely, go to a Linux-based operating environment. An all-up, run right right out of the box Linux is distributed by Xandros. The Business Edition will even run Microsoft Office! It ain't cheap, but it's not expensive either.

Currently, Linux seems to be mostly not affected by trojans and popups. I expect that to change as the Linux footprint becomes larger.

Your More-Or-Less Recuperated Hung-over Wreckyll New Friend....OWW

Ruth,

It does not happen on every visit. There is one of the many pop-ups that Drudge uses that can get through Firefox. I have no reason to make this up.

All I am saying is...I visit drudge every day (several times a day) and since using Firefox with its popup blocker (and also the adblocker) I never get an ads (or pop ups) Thats all I am saying.

Thanks to all. I've been meaning to go to Mozilla for quite some time. I now have an incentive.

There is also a pop-up at jpost.com (Jerusalem Post) that can get through Firefox...or least my Firefox, that appears unique from all others.

Just went to Jerusalem Post. No pop ups appeared. (Using Firefox) I hate to sound like a broken record but I have had excellent luck with Firefox and would never ever go back to IE.