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Don't let ads take over your Web browser

October 31, 2012 at 12:32AM
An undated handout screenshot of an early version of Hulu's Ad Selector, which allowed the viewer to choose an ad subject before the commercial began. Hulu and YouTube are experimenting with giving online viewers more options in viewing commercials. (The New York Times) -- NO SALES; FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY WITH STORY SLUGGED WEB ADS CHOICE ADV30 BY RANDALL STROSS. ALL OTHER USE PROHIBITED. -- PHOTO MOVED IN ADVANCE AND NOT FOR USE - ONLINE OR IN PRINT - BEFORE OCT. 30, 2011.
Online ads (New York Times/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

QMy Internet Explorer browser recently started opening a new window for advertisements from "servads.com." I have enabled the pop-up advertising blocker, but it doesn't seem to help. What should I do?

SANDI RABRICH, TUCSON, ARIZ.

AYou've acquired some malicious software. It's either a browser add-on (which is supposed to add functionality to the browser) or a program that hijacks your browser and changes it to direct you to advertising or malicious websites.

Malicious add-ons can cause pop-up advertising or cause Internet Explorer to abruptly shut down. The first step in getting rid of them is to use a version of the browser that doesn't allow add-on software to work. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Systems Tools, and then click on "Internet Explorer (No Add-ons)."

If that works, you'll know an add-on is the problem. Just disable them one at a time, then start up the regular Internet Explorer to see if you've found the offending add-on. See tinyurl.com/8gmckt2.

The warning signs of browser hijacking software are a continuous flow of pop-up advertisements, a changed home page, the addition of toolbars, icons or links related to websites you don't normally visit, an inability to go to security software websites, or sluggish computer performance.

To get rid of hijack software, restart the browser and download security software (such as the free Microsoft Security Essentials at tinyurl.com/9cvhj5o.) If necessary, reset your browser's home page (go to Tools, then Internet Options.) You may want to disable the browser's ability to use add-ons. (Same URL as above.)

QSince I last updated Windows, I've started getting the error message "dwm.exe-application error." I'm told this is probably a Windows Registry error, and that I need to clean the registry. What's the best program to do that?

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LANA LUHM, EAU CLAIRE, WIS.

ADWM (Desktop Windows Manager) is Windows software that creates special visual effects, such as transparent windows. Before cleaning the always-sensitive registry, a database of configuration settings and options, try Windows System Restore, which undoes changes made to your PC.

Click the Start button, type System Restore in the search box, then click System Restore in the list above. On the page titled "restore system, files and settings," click next. On the following page, check the box next to "show more restore points." Select a date prior to your last update and click next.

If no restore points are available for that time period, try one of the free registry cleaning programs at tinyurl.com/9ysygux.

E-mail tech questions to steve.j.alexander@ gmail.com or write to Tech Q&A, 425 Portland Av. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488. Include name, city and telephone number.

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Steve Alexander

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