Random New Browser Pop-Up Windows in IE 7

[technomann]

I'm on a CHEESY work computer which perhaps a dozen people have access to. It's running Windows XP SP3, Internet Explorer 7. While surfing the web I keep getting randow new browser windows popping open on me all the time. They are running Symantec Endpoint Protection, which I used to initiate a full system scan. The only thing that came up was a few tracking cookies. These random pop-ups are driving me nuts! Any suggestions?

 

[roncerr]

Are the pop ups coming from "Symantec Endpoint Protection" (letting you know it's protecting you)? If so, perhaps there is an option to make it less verbose. Do the others also complain about the popups?

BTW, protection involves more than a security program. The computer should be kept up to date via Windows Update. If Adobe Flash or Reader are installed, they should be checked for the latest updates. Same goes for Java but if it's not needed, just uninstall it.

 

[technomann]

Are the pop ups coming from "Symantec Endpoint Protection" (letting you know it's protecting you)? If so, perhaps there is an option to make it less verbose. Do the others also complain about the popups?

BTW, protection involves more than a security program. The computer should be kept up to date via Windows Update. If Adobe Flash or Reader are installed, they should be checked for the latest updates. Same goes for Java but if it's not needed, just uninstall it.

The pop-ups are not Symantec windows, they are Internet Explorer 7 Browsers opening to various sites at ramdom. It is not my job to update Java, Adobe, etc. The IT department should be taking care of that, but as far as I can tell, and I have been here 20 years, they NEVER run any maintenance or updates on ANY of these CHEESY work computers...

 

[roncerr]

...they NEVER run any maintenance or updates on ANY of these CHEESY work computers...

If IT is responsible, you could ask them about it, offer to do it yourself, or ask if you can use your own PC because the work one is broken. It's also possible that with so many users on one PC, your boss doesn't really want anyone to waste time with it since he thinks you don't need it to do your job.

 

[ThomasKsymantec]

Sounds like a possible infection. First thing I would do is download the latest Rapid Release definitions.
Once you have the new definitions, boot into safe mode and run a Disk Cleanup (right-click the C drive, Properties, Disk Cleanup) - that will delete all the files that are in these temporary locations, as well as IE's temporary files, etc.



Perform a full system scan in safe mode.

If the above steps fail to detect and remove any threats, here are useful tools that Symantec provides to help with finding those hard to detect threats.
1. The Power Eraser Tool eliminates deeply embedded and difficult to remove threats that traditional virus scanning doesn't always detect.
2. The SERT (Symantec Endpoint Recovery Tool)is useful in situations where computers are too heavily infected for the Symantec Endpoint Protection client installed upon them to clean effectively.
3. The Load point Analysis Tool generates a detailed report of the programs loaded on your system. It is helpful in listing common loadpoints where threats can live.
Rapid Release Virus Definitions –Rapid Release Virus Definitions | Symantec
Support Tool with Power Eraser Tool included –Enterprise Support - Symantec Corp. - The Symantec Endpoint Protection Support Tool
Power Eraser tool –http://security.symantec.com/nbrt/npe.asp?lcid=1033&origin=default


I hope this information helps.


Best,
Thomas

 

[technomann]

Sounds like a possible infection. First thing I would do is download the latest Rapid Release definitions.
Once you have the new definitions, boot into safe mode and run a Disk Cleanup (right-click the C drive, Properties, Disk Cleanup) - that will delete all the files that are in these temporary locations, as well as IE's temporary files, etc.



Perform a full system scan in safe mode.

If the above steps fail to detect and remove any threats, here are useful tools that Symantec provides to help with finding those hard to detect threats....
1. The Power Eraser Tool eliminates deeply embedded and difficult to remove threats that .....
Power Eraser tool –http://security.symantec.com/nbrt/npe.asp?lcid=1033&origin=default

Some useful imformation! This is exactly the kind of advice that I was looking for. I followed your suggestions, and it seems like the Power Eraser Tool did the trick. It found a couple of bugs and deleted them. I re-booted and so far no ramdom IE browser pop-ups.

Thank you!

 

[ThomasKsymantec]

I am glad the information was helpful to you.

Best,
Thomas

 

[technomann]

I am glad the information was helpful to you.

Best,
Thomas

Yes, thanks again! It seems that someone had installed some "Arcade" game software with its attendant IE Toolbar, and I think that's when the problems started. When will people learn that "free toolbars" are bad news? I was surprised that my complete system scan with the networks' Symantec Endpoint Protection did not find the bugs. But anyway, all is well now, thaks to Power Eraser. No more annoying random browser pop-ups and the word ads have disappeared as well.