How to keep out pop-up advertisements.

[Benvolio]

The last few days I have been getting so many intrusive ads popping up that I can hardly use the computer. I have Norton, although it is due to expire in a week. What is causing this. How can I stop it?

[palbert]

You need Adblock Plus.

https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer

[palbert]

You need Adblock Plus.

https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer

Also available for Chrome, Firefox, et al.

[T-Rexx]

The fact that this phenomenon popped up suddenly, Benvolio, implies that you have picked up some sort of malware.

You may have Norton, but none of the anti-malware programs (like Norton) can protect you against all of the malware, all the time. They do their best to keep up, but they are always behind the leading edge of what's out there. It is the nature of what the security firms do. They wait for malware to appear, then they react to it. But the delay between the appearance of malware, its recognition by the security firms, and the development of a tool to remove it is substantial.

It would be nice if Windows were inherently resistant to this sort of infection, but it is not. Windows invites in malware like flies to s#!t.

If you like Norton, then by all means continue your subscription. You should be aware that there are FREE alternatives, however. These are not necessarily better or worse, but at least you do not have to pay for them.

It's been a long time since I used Windows, but Spybot used to be standard.

I used also to depend on AVG as a free anti-malware tool.

Since your Norton subscription is about to expire, you might try the free alternatives, to see if they work any better for you. You are always free to return to Norton if they do not. Among the paid subscriptions, however, Kaspersky has an exceptional reputation. I must say that it is very, very expensive, however.

You might imagine that a good approach would just be to install a bunch of anti-malware programs and use them all. Alas, this is generally not a successful approach. The various programs are not necessarily compatible with each other, and sometimes try (by accident or design) to remove their competition. Try a few different programs, and stick with what you like (or can afford).

[Benvolio]

Thanks guys.