Oooo ....I came in here hoping for some gossip ...but ....:  I can't help you I'm afraid Soozy as I post from my IPad and all that means nothing to me ....but I'm sure someone will  

When we downloaded chrome it opened  us up to all sorts of junk.
Get rid of chrome, look at your list of programmes, and delete the new suspicious ones.
We must sound dreadfully old-fashioned but IE and Norton keep us right. There! I said it.

I think you might be right Joe. I've got used to Chrome - ever since we moved here it seemed to run better with Chrome but I get a bit sick of all the guff that comes with it. I did the deleting business you mentioned - I think I may have deleted something a bit important though - I do get a bit trigger happy - the poer goes to my head One of the things I deleted mentioned losing my profiles but I went ahead anyway - I prefer to keep a low profile personally.

 

I really shouldn't be let loose on a PC. I may well delete Chrome altogether - if you don't see me around for a bit it probably means I've disappeared into the abyss or a large black hole somewhere.

 

 

 

 

Yes! One often has to spend as much time on computer maintenance as actually using it. Mrs Jer just switches on and expects it to work. However we are steadily moving towards iTings. So far no issues!

If you like the style of chrome try Cool Nova instead, it is built on chrome but is less bulky and is supposed to run faster.

 

IE is a haven for hackers, so really should be avoided at all costs especially if still running XP.. 

 

Norton is the spawn of the devil ..Use a free anti virus like AVG Free..

 

Sorry GJ, I know you like both IE and Norton..

 

you may want to try a system restore to a date before you starting fiddling. . doesn't always work but could restore it back to what it was

You reset your computer to a time before started getting problems Soozy...

 

EDIT: what Olly says

ps a browser profile is just a record of your settings for the browser held on your PC.. ie bookmarks and favourites and font and style etc... deleting it is like starting a fresh install of a browser with no settings..

It must be horses for courses. They really suit us and our needs.
I remember one individual advising us to stop using Norton, "it slows down your PC" use Kaspersky (?) instead. The rest is history. Luckily we back up regularly.

i'm currently using McAfee - I think it came as part of the deal. My other stuff is all Norton.

 

Any advice on ad blockers though - MacAfee doesn't appear to be dealing with it. I was using AdBlock but it appears to have become disabled. I'd appreciate a 'safe' link for a free download - I seem to be getting taken up the garden path in my attempts to find one.

 

It's all a bit of a minefield!

I don't understand the concept of ad blockers. What do they block? I notice on a lot of websites there are boxes here and there advertising stuff but they seem harmless.
Years ago I remember pop ups that really were a nuisance but don't get them now.

I use adblock plus on my FF browser.. what that means is I never ever see any ads on Gaga for example.. so when threads start about ads at the side I am completely oblivious to them. .same for other sites.. I get a nice clean page without any interference...

Linky for Adblock plus. .scroll down and click the install for chrome link

 

 

Would they work on the Linux OS running Firefox Olly???

Yes they would moonie, they are specific to the browser not the OS afaik

Linky for Adblock plus for Firefox

Fankoo

Thanks Olly - all installed very simply and no more ads

Glad you're sorted!

Happy to be of help..

 

 

Bill's in the post

 

Kidding!

malware is good for getting rid of things that sneak in & hide on your pc

its a free download

 

I use many browsers, but tend to look to Firefox and Chrome the most. Either of these in my opinion is fine.

 

I've never installed an ad blocker or enabled them and I don't seem to have any issues in that area.

 

As for anti-virus I use Sophos. We use it at work and it does a god job.

 

I have said this before (and I know some of you will roll your eyes) but a PC is not unlike a car - it needs a service at least once a year.

 

I pick a Sunday, make sure everything is backed up and then I reformat and reinstall the operating system from scratch, along with all the apps I regularly use and not the ones I installed and never use.

 

Surfing will by it's very nature attract all sorts of detritus onto your PC, my method rejuvenates the computer. A bit labour intensive but worth it in the long run.

 

 

 

Sophos? One of the perks of working for five, no doubt.

Are you talking French ???  

And thank you too for your help Joe. I bet you get fed up telling me the same or similar over and over 

Restore your laptop to a previous state, it will get rid of any glitches or viruses.