ItsGeekToMe.co

 

Q: Is there a way I can disable the auto start on the Adobe flash player video? 

– Johnny W.
Miramar Beach, Florida

A:  Yes there is, Johnny.  However, the method is different depending on which web browser you use, and you neglected to tell me that in your question.  So, instead of answering you directly, I’m going to have to refer you to some online content that I hope will give you the information you need.  Take a look at tinyurl.com/IGTM-414A or tinyurl.com/IGTM-414B and see if one of those helps you.  Good luck!

 

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Q: I wonder if you can give me some insight to these unwanted advertisements that pop up as soon as I turn on my computer.   Sometimes I have to click to close on 6 or 10 before I can use my computer for what I intended to do.  Sometimes the ads won’t close and I have to do a ctrl, alt, delete to close them.

I have learned that HP loaded my computer hard drive when I purchased it 4 years ago.  No ads were loaded then.   It makes me think these advertisers have a contract with HP to invade my personal computer without my consent. It is maddening.

 I called HP and got an answer that put the oneness on me.  I should do a recovery or buy malware; HP gave me instructions and websites for this.  The HP rep called it a virus type and needs malware.  My windows essentials does not handle this.   I am not savvy enough to do any of these “problem solvers” and think I should not have to pay for software to have my computer be my own.   Other than the ads, my computer works fine for me.  All I do is email and some searches.  I have Microsoft Ofc that I use Word and Excel. 

 Any advice or info how to stop this madness?   Even tho I don’t understand your tech talk, I read your column and don’t recall this problem, unless I was out of pocket for that one.

 Could it be that anytime I add a coupon site, or open any retail site like home depot, walmart, restaurants, etc, my address is given to everyone else for ads?  I wonder if there is a contact to call to say stop these unwanted ads on my computer.  As a consumer, don’t I have any rights about this?

  – Mary S.
No City Provided

A:  Wow, Mary, that’s a lot of words for an essentially simple question.  I’ll try to be concise in my answers.  First, almost all PC manufacturers sell what amounts to advertising space on their machines.  It is how they keep costs so low.  This generally takes the form of pre-loaded trial editions of software, and not pop-up ads.  So HP’s advertising is not what’s causing the problems you’re experiencing.  I agree with the HP rep that it’s probably some sort of malware, likely caused by one or more websites that you visited without adequate malware protection in place.  I’m afraid I must disagree with you when you say that you don’t think you should have to pay to keep such stuff off your computer.  Everyone that owns or uses a computer these days is a victim in one form or another of the bad guys lurking out there who want to steal our personal information, or use us to try and generate money.  HP cannot be held responsible for every action you take online that makes you vulnerable, and your use of these coupon sites is certainly risky.  Mainstream retailers like Walmart and Home Depot don’t play those games, as they have a national reputation to maintain, so unless you’re getting attacked by someone masquerading as one of these sites, you’re generally safe with them.

I have covered malware removal in several recent columns, and in the discussions on my website.  Visit ItsGeekToMe.co/Columns/Issue-410 and read the comment from me at the very bottom.  It contains a list of malware scanners that you can find with simple Google searches.  A few issues before that, I recommended a comprehensive removal guide that you can find by visiting tinyurl.com/IGTM-414C.