# Sorry, another spyware (I think) question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 11, 2007, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-another-spyware-i-think-question/422289 "2007-10-11T01:00:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-another-spyware-i-think-question/422289/1 "2007-10-11T01:00:59Z")
Something has changed in my computer over the past two days. Basically, wherever there’s a frame showing one of those “animated” ads, a very nasty, pornographic ad now shows up. Even when I visit our local newspaper’s site or the SDMB itself, these new pornographic “animated” ads are appearing in the space where there used to be a much more typical ad. Before I try and fix things, I wanted to ask the assembled computer intelligentsia of the SDMB a few things (btw, I did check out the computer help thread at the top of this page but then wondered whether all the info it contained was still up-to-date and relevant): 1. Does this sound like a spyware problem? 2. If so, is AdAware still the cleansing agent of choice? 3. If you don’t think this is a manifestation of a spyware infestation, what _do_ you think it is? I am running XP, service pack 2 on a Dell Inspiron 8600. Thanks so much! I really am grateful. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-another-spyware-i-think-question/422289/2 "2007-10-11T01:09:33Z")
[QUOTE=KarlGauss] 1. Does this sound like a spyware problem? [/QUOTE] Yes. > [@](#): > > 1. If so, is AdAware still the cleansing agent of choice? Maybe. There is no one silver bullet spyware removal solution. I run several just to be sure; belt and suspenders. Run AdAware, Spybot Search & Destroy, Windows Defender and SuperAntispyware, and you can get a pretty clean machine without any further fiddling. [All of them are free.](http://filehippo.com/software/antispyware/) > [@](#): > > 1. If you don’t think this is a manifestation of a spyware infestation, what _do_ you think it is? See answer to #1. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-another-spyware-i-think-question/422289/3 "2007-10-11T02:45:17Z")
Many thanks, indeed! One, two, three, here I go . . . ---
**Author:** ![pricciar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@pricciar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pricciar)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2007, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sorry-another-spyware-i-think-question/422289/4 "2007-10-11T04:23:30Z")
I cannot imagine what else it would be other than spyware. With spyware that insidious I would also update all of my anti-virus packages if I were you. Just to be on the safe side. I agree with **Fear Itself’s** recommendations for spyware programs. Shut down all of your running programs and take a couple of hours to let all of the checkers run through. Spybot also has a feature that allows you to lock settings and files that should not be changed, look into installing that. Good luck with everything. I hope you get it taken care of. pat ps: Practice safer porn viewing in the future! Just buy copies of Playboy and Penthouse and only read the articles. That’s the safest route.