Is Adware Crippling CR4?

Hi Eu,

I am not experiencing these problems. Are you using a Mac or a PC? It does sound like adware, (the a**h*les). If you have a PC running windows, check your installed programs by going to Control Panel and selecting Add/Remove Programs. My guess is that you will find a program called "Doubleclick", "AdDoubleclick" or something similar. Selecting this item and then hitting Change/Remove may OR MAY NOT successfully remove the program. If not, an adware removal program may get rid of it.

Best of Luck

Mike

I'm using a Mac. We just bought this mac a short while ago and I'm a noob user. I ran a spyware scan and isolated 47 tracking cookies, which I dispatched into the Great Void. But the problem remains.

I'm going to fire up my Linux box and see if I get the same symptoms. If so, I'll assume the problem is with CR4 and its operatives.

Or somewhere in between. I too not having those adware pop-ups or any others for that matter, running XP on AMD-PC.

"Somewhere in between" may just be the IP server, allowing this type of traffic, or a web-browser (yours) allowing Direct-x or Active-x scripts, to be opened silently in the background, without asking for the user's permission.

Some apps, the likes of "spybot", may block it, or directly, in the preference dialog-box of the browser

Which browser are you using?

Firefox is much better at reducing spyware than IE - I run a PC, but there are several Macs in the house. I only use IE when the site will not work with firefox - incompatible are becoming fewer as more sites are programmed using flash, etc. which are not Windows specific.

I'm using Firefox on a Mac mini running OS X.

Good..now we know your browser we can then try a few measures.

First, what version of firefox are you using? (Just look at Help->About) My latest update states 2.0.0.4. Well latests updates means more compatibility with plug ins and less bugs.

Next I really recommend you to try NoScript or another link here. They are easy to use and gives you a great range of controls of scripts that you want or don't want to run and basically gives you an insight on what script is has been launched or what not. You can also disable any scripts that you have previously allowed when you feels threaten by it or just plain want the ads to stop popping up. (Just right click on the little "S" icon on the lower right corner of firefox.

Plus it's easy to install, everything is auto.

Well you try that first, and lets see how things go from here.

Regards,

CLoud8521

"Next I really recommend you to try NoScript or another link here. They are easy to use and gives you a great range of controls of scripts that you want or don't want to run and basically gives you an insight on what script is has been launched or what not. You can also disable any scripts that you have previously allowed when you feels threaten by it or just plain want the ads to stop popping up. (Just right click on the little "S" icon on the lower right corner of firefox. Plus it's easy to install, everything is auto. Well you try that first, and lets see how things go from here. Regards, CLoud8521" ----- Thanks a million, Cloud. It works! I don't have CR4's editor's controls any more (looks like some fine-tuning might help), but I can read threads again and don't see any trace of that horrific ad.doubleclick.net crap. Muchas gracias y mas! -e

Great to know your problem is solved.

hmm... No editor ehh..Mine works just fine.. Try to make sure that you don't accidentally block the script "globalspec.com". Just right click on the "S" icon representing NoScript on the lower-right hand side of your firefox see whichever of these two messages (beside globalspec.com):

1. Forbid globalspec.com --->this means the script is up n running (you want this)
2. Allow globalspec.com --->when this shows up this means the script is blocked and just click on this option to turn it back on.
   

I've been tweaking NoScript and CR4's editor works fine now. Thanks again.

Just glad to know you're back with us again. It would be a darn if this prob inhibits you from CR4, your comments/posts have always been appreciated.

I'm using Mac OS10.4.10 on an Intel MacBook Pro. I have no problems with Adware.

I don't have the editor toolbar in Safari, But I do in Firefox (2.0.0.6)

Dick

Yes, but can you say that Firefox takes you everywhere you want to go or are there occasional incompatibilities?

The only places Firefox will not go are where the scripts have been written in a Microsoft language - specifically designed to work only on their OS.

"C" was "Highjacked" this way, and Sun Micro had to take MS to court to stop them doing the same to Java.

The reason most people are a bit p'd off with MS is the way they are bound into their products - everyone else uses cross-platform compatible files. Can you save a word document as an Apple, or Open Office one?

Oh - and the cost of the software............

If you go to www.java.com and upgrade, you may find that your problems are solved.

I know that Microsoft has its own version of Java, but this doesn't seem to be a problem as long as your Sun Java is up-to-date.

On the other hand there are many programs out there that cannot use the current version of Sun Java. Whose fault is that?

The spyware cleaner might have taken over. Anything free may also come with free problems. Just watch for running programs that show up in the task manager or look for vectors loaded as programs. I can not expect you to be software master as you may also be running music, net talk and many software downloads at the same time. Your free work area on the disk may be getting filled and remain uncleaned. The hard disk is also un-fragmented, and above all the browser you may use also may be defective.

Get your Mac cleaned by an expert friend. You sure will find near by.

Did you even >read< my post, Shyam?

This discussion is not yielding much so I am off line to this one now. I have more serious problems around to solve immediately. I will catch up on some later date.

Amongst other things , I use my ISP's free security stuff. More doubleclick stuff than anything else is blocked. It gets blocked as 'spyware cookies ' . It's not outright malicious stuff , but it is OTT advertising crap-apillers. Can you not set up your system to block it ? I have not met the problem you describe. There is an issue with-over activity in the mailing system , and also editor runs slow at times. These are very minor points on a brilliantly designed site.

My suspicion is that the problem is more to do with your own system and how cookies are handled. I mailed you earlier at gmail , did you recieve and did it help ?

Cheers , Kris

Not having same problems on my "get smart"level security work machine or my spyware infected home computer (17 year old son surfing for 'game cheats,,,) need I say more?

milo

I'm not having any problems. I am using Avast! home version antivirus.(free) and find it is excellent. I am also running vista. and its working well for me (at home)

I also view cr4 at work sometimes, and no problems there either. but its through a firewall.

Chris

Running XP here -- Never had a problem on this website or any other. I Use Windows Live One Care and popup a stopper. No Problem. My internet security settings are medium and privay is medium. no problems of any kind. I also diligently delete un-necessary cookies and keep my internet files to a minimum. Clean history each day.

I only use Mac, except when I absolutely have to use a PC (eg. Programming PLCs)... I'm not having any such problems. I do occasionally get a message asking me to respond to a survey. I probably made a mistake when I responded to one of those a while back..., but as soon as I close the popup window, everything works normally.

I do go back and forth between Safari and FireFox; The editor I'm using to write this works better in FireFox, but I have found some windows that don't open in FireFox but do in Safari.

Dick

My Mac mini came with Safari which doesn't play well with CR4. I don't like Safari. It seems primitive and, well, unfinished.

On my PC I run Red Hat Enterprise Linux v5 and love it. I did have a dual-boot system, but a Windows app I was running to change the partition sizes crashed, and it took the entire hard drive with it. Nothing was readable. I even tried recovering the drive by inserting a bootable Knoppix CD to see if I could startup the machine and fix the allocation tables, but the drive was too corrupted. At that point I scrapped Windows altogether (and good riddance, too) and installed RHEL exclusively. No problems.

At a place I worked for a while we 'clusters' running had Red Hat for number crunching but I've never used it 'live' or at home. Often wanted to as I dislike the global stranglehold MS has - how did this come about? Were we, all of us, asleep or on the moon at some time way back?

Now I have a second hand laptop (sounds dodgy but I'm happy it's a legit retired corporate item) that has no operating system. It was supplied new with windows but the re-seller wiped the hard disc (for data security?) and so I need to find it a new OS. Pretty peeved that MS should get paid twice for supplying absolute kr@p for it and would like to try Linux. Almost all my work time has been spent on Unix and I can't see that even after all this vast amount of resource has been spent on Windows, that it's half as good.

I know it's hip to bash Microsoft, but if a company ever did the right thing it was them. Do you also hate Toyota, GM, Chrysler, and Ford?

Microsoft concentrated on the big-3 - word processing, spreadsheet, and database. Not only did they do this for Apple but the real cue was for IBM (International Business Machines)! So, as CP/M was dying a slow and horrible death, Microsoft concentrated on DOS. Success is not a sin.

Yes, it seems that you have to do it Microsoft's way, and that bugs a lot of people. However, for every computer savvy person like you, there are a 100,000 people that just want to write, crunch numbers, and keep records (and possibly play the occasional game of solitaire).

If you know UNIX and are used to working in that environment, by all means, load Linux - you are never going to be happy with Windows. However, since the time I gave up programming, Windows has done everything I've wanted it to do. Word processing, graphics, and games!

One more thing... Sometimes I think the problem lies not in the software, but in the hardware. I've heard a lot of people complain about Dell, for example. I on the other hand have nothing but good things to say about them. I purchased a really high-end Dell and it's ran flawlessly for several years (knock on wood)!!! However, I get the feeling if you buy one of their $399.00 specials, you may wind up unhappy. Not only is the CPU quasi-compatible with Windows (or an Intel processor), but you're also gambling with a somewhat doggy power supply, memory, and system in general.

But, if I were you, I'd install Linux in a heartbeat!!!

At second and third reading of your post, something struck me as being odd... Even when the "doubleclick" cookie has been on my PC, I never saw anything that ever referred to "ad.doubleclick.net," which sounds like a URL. It was always completely silent. So why is your browser suddenly looking for an ad ware URL? Has anyone else experienced this?

It almost sounds as if a file has been deleted and the system is trying to find it. On the other hand, it might be a URI (almost like a URL), which is used by XML as a reference to a resource. Also, doubleclick.net has moved recently (I think), could your copy of Foxfire need an upgrade?

Just curious.

I still use IE7 mainly , force of habit etc. I dropped into my firefox yesterday and it wanted to update - mainly for security reasons. I was short on time so just went ahead and let it upgrade. You may well be right vermin , they (firefox) are clearly aware of quite a few issues that needed sorting out.

my firefox browser with No Scripts is blocking this, "ad.doubleclick.net"

I am using windows XP and had the same prob when I first converted to firefox from opera. But as soon as I allowed a few scripts to run, CR4 loads just fine. Had no prob when using opera.

Here are a lists of scripts (active-x,adware, etc.) that I consider generally "safe" (ahh to heck with it, just run already so I can access CR4--type of safe rating ) :

1. Globalspec.com ->must run
2. doubleclick.net ->no harm, after I allowed this CR4 loads just fine on firefox
3. 2mdn.net ->I allowed this also

On a side note, I also installed NoScript plugin for firefox. Makes for easier control of scripts. You can first temporarily allow, or just plain allow the scripts that you are confident are essential/harmless for the site.

I also uses Netscape, and it also loads just fine though I rarely use it for CR4. Though Netscape is just a buffed up firefox.

hmm.. just wondering what browser you used.. my best bet is that your prob had nothing to do with your system (AMD, Intel, etc.), or your spyware software. I dont think that CR4 has any probs on their server or else we will all experience the same problem.

Either your browser settings (most likely) (i.e. preference/options -> content settings), your firewall (less likely), proxy server settings (if you have any).

I have just checked, the 2mdn.net is the ad at the bottom of the page..just let it run. It is what gives juice for CR4 to run on ...

One way to check on firefox is to right click anywhere and click "View Page Info" and look under the media tab. there list most of the links that required active scripts.

Run Ad-Aware & Spybot at least once a week to clear out 99% of this stuff. Both programs are free and have been extensively tested and are recommended by many computer magazines for such usage.

One without the other does not get so many hits.....

Excellent suggestion, Andy! Of course, I would think so since I was about to do the same before reading your post. I generally try to find freeware or shareware myself and have been fairly successful. I like the guys that develop the stuff and ask for donations if you find a benefit. Each time I have used a package and found it helped or did what I needed I felt obligated to send some money, after all, they did get me out of whatever jam I had found myself in.

I've found that Ad-aware takes care of most if not all the problems but I still use Spy-bot also.

I also recently found a new one called "Spyware Terminator", it actually finds stuff that even ad-aware & spybot have not found. It was free on a recent magazine over here. I could send you a copy if you wish, but I will need your email address first. I cannot send it before next week as I am underway in Germany with my caravan....! isn't UMTS wonderful!!

"isn't UMTS wonderful!!"

As long as you are not a bee.

No, I don't receive any ADware, tho I am using Firefox Browser with "No Scripts" enable, which helps with this and other crap. Maybe ya should download it and test it out.

I'm running XP at home with zone alarm and antivir, and at work with MASSIVE amounts of filters and god knows what, also on XP. No probs.

I use Firefox and I have never seen any ad-ware on CR4.

I also run Ad-Aware SE, (FREE DOWNLOAD,) and I do not get ad-ware on any site.

Try it, you'll like it.

Oh, I'm using bloodlows tinternet imploder, NOT Firefox - Cos' I don't like Firefox!

Running XP & IE6 with no adware issues!

I use Avast! anti virus. I use IE7 and play with the advanced option check boxes to get the best compromise in performance. I have adjusted activeX settings in there and some other on-demand permission types of things.

Get DSL of cable. I do not have the problem; actually I have a question for you, I am an automotive tech, some college and plenty of desire to learn as much as I can before time is up.

What is gravity, what creates earth gravity and how much different is from magnetism?

You might want to direct this question directly to Jorrie, but I'll do my best...

According to Einstein, gravity is caused by matter (stars, planet, moons, etc.) bending space/time. So for instance, the light from a star that's aligned very close to the sun during a solar eclipse is bent around the Sun within its gravitational field. Knowing the stars true position and the position that it appears in the sky shows us that the light of the star is bent through the warp in space/time caused by the Sun's mass.

Also, there was a small discrepancy in the orbit of Mercury using classical Newtonian physics. When Einstein's equations were used (assuming a warp in space/time) the discrepancy disappeared!

So, each massive body - the Earth, the Moon, the Sun, even the Galaxy, bends space/time. Notice that time is included. And this is seen as clocks moving slower closer to gravitational bodies than in free space. This also has been proven.

As for magnetism, there is absolutely no connection between gravity and magnetism.

Has this been of any help? You might want to check out gravity on wikipedia. Good luck!!!

Thanks for answering, I had tried to find out prior to my question, no conclusive answer, it is unknown what is gravity. Magnetism cannot not be seen but is a condition related to metal (iron), I have just pondered, for along time, if there would be a way to counter gravity at will.

In regards to ad-aware posts, I really enjoy CR4 community, 99% always willing to help, less offending than other forums and more tolerance for those of us with technical skills but no scientific ability.

to counter gravity accelerate yourself to same acceleration of free fall and you will experience zero mass. Alternatively sit between the center of mass location of two giant mass like earth and moon. I have experienced it in one museum in San Francisco or Texas. It is some kind of bridge around which large mass swings and you feel as if there is earth quake on the bridge. It was a wonderful feeling.

Yes, I agree it is a great question to ponder. If all mass bends space/time, then how the heck can we unbend it?! That's the big problem. Figure that one out and I along with the rest of the world will beat a path to your door!!!

Magnetism is not related to metal per se... Magnetism is caused by moving electric charges (mostly electrons). Since all the best conductors are metals, metals (especially copper - the best compromise between conductivity and cost) are commonly used to carry electric currents. (a current is synonymous with moving charge).

In a permanent magnet, the structure of the material holds a large fraction of the atoms in alignment such that the electrons move in orbits circulating in the same directions.

It is good to block pop-ups windows. Often they are problem due to diversion and loading of programs that you really do not wish see.

I also get lots of things in email like enlarge patch and Viagra pills and lots of those things I only have to keep deleting. I do not know why they are not being banned. Perhaps they are the owners of the net or they have drugged it right to the core.

Whatever ads may be, if you do not wish to receive then you should never get them back to you again and if it does then there must be criminal punishment for making life miserable. If you love these things then it is Ok and if you don't then some one is really sending weapons on you even though you may be just a very good person being used as a kick-up punch bag. If virus are punishable crime then why not unwanted ad-ware.

My phone keeps ringing and these people play ads even though I pay for getting phone and also for phone calls. I also get SMS that I never want to get and never read. This world is moving towards dirty things. I get mails that I won billion dollar lottery and these keep coming. I wasted money in contacting embassies to stop these and track the phone numbers but they really do not want to do anything even though they know all about it. They told me that they have a list. What else one needs?

I just read from Virginia Tech news that predators made other animals to evolve. So we must be evolving as there are so many predators for peace of our minds now. Can we evolve a zero ad-ware net? I think it is impossible. Ad-ware have become life line of money makers and net is a business for money making.

Do you remember a time when billboards did not line the freeways?

Dear Vermin

Yeah, buy one get three for free. Po-ups are just that or worst. Click at one and get thousands for free. I appreciate your way of writing compact message. Good. Keep it up.

I'm using Internet Explorer ver. 7. It has a really good pop-up blocker, but it also has a great phishing site filter. So you almost never get bothered by pop-up or other crap you don't want.

Regards,

vermin-