Not Malware but Very Annoying

Discussion in 'Software' started by CharlesE, Mar 11, 2013.

  1. CharlesE

    CharlesE Private E-2

    For a couple of weeks I have been getting annoying ads in my browsers, Internet Explorer 10 and Firefox. The website sending these ads is:
    wam-ads.sitescout.com. If I go to Internet Explorer and try to add this to the blocked sites it will not put it on the list. No error message; just not on the list. My Google search did not turn up a way to block this site. I don't know why I can't put it on the blocked sites list. At first I thought it was because of the extra "." in the name, but there is a site on the list that has that format. This site obviously has my computer address and is sending these ads in a format that the pop-up blocker will not stop. The website "opt out" option does not opt one out of the ads, blocks some kind of information from being sent back. By the way, getting to the (useless) opt out site is a pain.

    Any ideas?

    CharlesE
     
    CharlesE, Mar 11, 2013
    #1
  2. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    I have moved your post to Software as your issue is not Malware related and you will have the benefit of the entire membership able to respond.

    You mention that you use Firefox. Do you use the the Adblock Plus addon?: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/

    I would recommend doing so. It will also allow you to add things to the filter.
     
    LauraR, Mar 11, 2013
    #2
  3. CharlesE

    CharlesE Private E-2

    Thanks Laura. I installed the add-on and will see if it works. I installed a similar add-on for Internet Explorer--a trial version. I don't know the price, but I will check it out.
     
    CharlesE, Mar 11, 2013
    #3
  4. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    You're welcome. It's a great addon and I don't get any ads anywhere. I've only had to manually filter one nuisance one.

    I know it's not available for IE, so I'm not sure which one you are trying, but I'd be sure to do research before installing anything of that sort you have to pay for. There's many free options out there...at least for Firefox. IE is a bit more limited as far as helpful addons.
     
    LauraR, Mar 11, 2013
    #4
  5. LauraR

    LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

    Also, another couple of things you might want to do:

    Install ccleaner: http://majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_d4191.html Use the default setting to clean your computer. This will delete all browsing history and cookies for both Firefox and IE.

    For Internet Explorer:

    -Disable 3rd Party cookies if you haven't done so already. (Settings > Internet Options> Privacy Tab > Advanced > Block 3rd party > Ok

    -Turn on the Tracking protection that's built in to IE: Settings > Internet Options> Programs > Manage add ons > Tracking Protection> Click on the "Get a Tracking Protection List online" > Choose from the list > I'd go with 'Easy list' (only because I use it with my Adblock Plus). Then make sure you enable it.

    I don't use IE so can't say how well it works, but it's worth a try.
     
    LauraR, Mar 11, 2013
    #5

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