Iexplore keeps popping up

I started using Mozilla Firefox for security and speed of loading pages without all the popups and other pages loading. I use a popup stopper, but I have a problem with Microsoft Internet Explorer popping up with "page cannot be displayed ". This happens even when I'm not browsing the internet. Like when using Microsoft Publisher, and other programs. I've tried several things to stop this but, obviously, not the right ones.

Any suggestions?

Mark

 

Thanks again Pete

Pete,
Just when I think I know something,you give a quick and snappy answer to my stupid question. Seems like I thought of everything but the right thing in this instance. I changed Firefox to the default browser,unchecked allow access to iexplorer, and rebooted. While I was typing this reply, Firefox tried to open another page with the address: http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad. Then... LOL! Internet Explorer tried to open again with another adfarm address. So...I went back to Set Program Access & Defaults/Custom only to find the changes I made were no longer there. Under the Microsoft Windows tab,It says IE is my browser and enable access to IE and Mozilla. Under the Non Microsoft tab is says Mozilla Firefox is my browser with access to IE removed. Under Custom, It says use my current browser. Mozilla is not checked like I left it but it does say enable access to it.
It's late here now, I'll look at it again tommorow. But so far, nothing has changed.

 

I am using only the custom settings, and my default browser is checked, though not listed by name. Yhe access part, I never quite figure out, but don't want to exclude anything.
As for the link you gave, I have no idea what it is suppose to open, but absolutely nothing happens. I don't even get a URL listed.
After removing the /ad, I was able to get redirect the page to the Mediaplex home page
I get no sign to IE.
Where did you get the link with the /ad?

 

Blufx,

I get those pages on rare occasions, and it is when I try to access a page that can only be accessed with Internet Explorer. It also happens, but really rarely in Internet Explorer, but not sure why.

Sounds as if you may have a Windows problem, since your settings aren't being retained. Let us know if this continues.

Have you set Firefox settings also: Tools | Options | Main
Scroll down to "System Defaults" and click on the "Check now" Tab.

 

Not rare for me

EVERY TIME I start Firefox and sometimes when I reboot IE pops up with a message "page cannot be found" Here's the address from the last one: http://89.188.16.10/trafc-2/rfe.php?cmp=wavff_r&uid=4A9F143AE2E911DBA5CA003048895BFC&nid=ik&guid=bcba004d+041D0D6D3D684172A4BBCBA25BC5BE95&url=http:%2F%2Fwwwa.accuweather.com%2Findex-forecast.asp%3Fpartner=accuweather%26traveler=0%26zipcode=29681%26u=1&affid=67298&lid=http>
Accuweather is in there, which is my home page, but why does it keep loading IE? Everything I've tried so far will not stop it.

 

And...

As soon as I posted that reply, Firefox tried to load another page with the address: http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/4...BFC_bcba004d+041D0D6D3D684172A4BBCBA25BC5BE95
Does Windowsbbs.com have ad and tracking cookies?
I was interrupted during that last sentence with another adfarm page trying to load.

 

Blufx,

Have you run either Adaware or Spybot, or both? If not, I would run both of them just to ensure that you haven't picked up spyware. I know that if you have it isn't from WindowsBBS...

Also delete all your *.tmp files. Do a Find for *.tmp and delete all files that appear.

Let us know what the Spyware programs find, if anything.

http://www.lavasoftusa.net/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

 

Very interesting! when I clicked on the link provided in message #6, I, got a popup from System Doctor, I believe, telling me that my system was under attack. Not knowing anything about the program, I shut down my computer. Note this link about System Doctor . Don't download it!
Later, I restarted it, and did an Adaware scan. Nothing was found. I, also, cleaned up my system with Ccleaner.
This morning, I could not connect with Firefox2.0.0.3, or Seamonkey1.1.1.
I did the usual, i.e. unplugged the cable modem cord, restarted the browsers, did, even a check with IE7, coming out clean, except that my connection could not be established. I rebooted my computer twice, still no connection. finally, on my third try, and using the obscure Suiteserver1.5a nightly, I was able to make a connection. Oh no, I am not going to recheck that link (I was using Suiteserver when all this started). By the way, my cookies manager of SuiteServer,just gotten yesterday was full of ad junk.
It scared the heck out of me.

 

I run Adaware and Spybot S&D on a regular basis. Several times since this started. I also have Spyblaster and keep it updated.
I just started in safe mode and searched for *.tmp files. The system found 156 files which I deleted to the recycle bin just in case I needed something back. After restarting, I waited for a minute,nothing popped up so I clicked the link to come back here. As soon as I did, IE popped up again.

I think I'm on to something now. I'll repost in a few minutes.

 

I think I found it

Because I let someone else use my computer, I was left with a bogus security program that I went through H E _ _ trying to get rid of. It looks like I didn't finish the job. I believe my problem was a Smitfraud toolbar. I got rid of the tool bar and other applications with it, but it left something behind. Doing a search for Smitfraud, I found a tool to remove it at another forum called The Bleeping Computer. Here's a link to that page and the tool download. I ran the fix and so far everything's ok. I "ll post again if anything else happens.
I hope this can help someone else too.

Thanks for all the help guys,
Mark

 

All's well

Two restarts later and no IE popups. I think the Smitfraud fix tool worked>

Thanks again,
Mark

 

Mark,

That's terrific to hear! Sometimes third-party software can play havoc...

 

It's back again

Well, when I came in from work today I started my machine only to see IE pop up again. I started Spybot long enough to see Smitfraud was there again. So I figured I had to treat it like it was a virus. I disabled my system restore, restarted in safe mode and ran the fix tool again. After restarting and running Spybot one more time, it was back again. Now I'm lost again.
This thread probably needs to be moved to viruses and spyware. Please let me know if have any answers or move it.

Thanks again,
Mark

 

Mark started a new thread in the Removing Spyware & Viruses Forum: Smithfraud-C Toolbar 888