Problems with

[SnoringFrog]

Just recently, my computer hasn't been able to get onto to some websites I normally check otu daily. When I try to go to them, this message appears:

Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

Along with some other text, and then the window closes. Also, whenever this happens, a Realplayer update window appears. Saying I need to update my RP to view this clip, but the sites I"m going to shouldn't have any clip that would need to be played, I should know, I run two of these sites.

Anyone know what might be wrong or how to fix it?

[RedMage]

IE constantly trying to play a video clip smacks of a malware infestation.

[SnoringFrog]

What's that?

[Puritan]

I agree, sounds like malware, a piece of software that sneaks onto your machine and does malicious things. I'd suggest trying AdAware (It's free for personal use and works well) and Spybot Search and Destroy. I'd also suggest Firefox as it tends to be more malware resistant, but that's more personal preference.

[RedMage]

What's that?

...



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware

Tell me, are you running any kind of firewall on your PC? Any sort of anti-virus? (Let me guess, Norton or McAffee, right?) I can assume you don't use Ad-Aware or Spybot...

[SnoringFrog]

I'm not completely sure what all we have, I've never done anything with most of it, my dad's the one who set up all that.

But we do have a firewall (Symantec Client Firewall), and I believe we have some sort of anti-virus, although I can't recall what it is at the moment. In our start menu, I found spots for Spybot - Search and Destroy, and Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal.

[RedMage]

and I believe we have some sort of anti-virus, although I can't recall what it is at the moment. In our start menu, I found spots for Spybot - Search and Destroy, and Lavasoft Ad-Aware SE Personal.

Does anybody ever use any of the above?

[SnoringFrog]

I believe one of them (I'm not sure which, I'll be able to tell you either later tonight or sometie tomorrow) runs in the middle of the night, but I'm not sure if it's every day or what, and I've never paid much attention to it. I'll ask my dad which ones we use, and post again when I find out.

[Mithrandir]

If I were you, I'd tell your dad about the problem, and let him know that some of the techies on this site think it's a malware issue. Advise him to run the Lavasoft AdAware Se Personal and see if it finds anything. Also, see if there's any reason you guys are using IE. That browser tends to be more prone to security vulnerabilites than Firefox. Good luck!

[SnoringFrog]

I have done that, and he said that he does run it every so often, but he hasn't in the past week or so. And I'll mention Firefox to him sometime as well.

Thanks for the help!