Adware issue in Win8.1-Lenovo

[winchester73]

I have switched all of my boxes from the paid ESET NOD32 to the free MSE.  To add to what Mike said, keep your box locked down with the other tools and you shouldn't have any worries ...

[winchester73]

Do you have WinPatrol installed?

[Corrine]

Another suggestion to consider is Malwarebytes Pro, which is currently a lifetime license.  When version 2 is released, it will no longer be a lifetime license and instead be an annual subscription.  However, the license purchased with version 1.x will be honored as a lifetime license!

Note:  The Windows 8/8.1 version of MSE is Windows Defender.

[PastyWhiteGuy]

Yes, WinPatrol Plus is installed (loved that $2 gift).

Malwarebytes pro is tonight's adventure, and I'm guessing that I'll do MSE/Windows Defender tomorrow while my honey is awake and we can talk about it.

What about POKKI? Should that be reinstalled? If it isn't do I suffer anything other than the loss of the start button paradigm?

Still looking for the Porky Pig smilie...

[Corrine]

Hi, Dean.

The problem I have with Pokki is that it is a Conduit "Community Toolbar".  It redirects searches and Conduit toolbars are also reputed to have a certain trackware functionality, often bundled with various third party software.  However, it is, after all, your computer so it is up to you if you wish to restore Pokki from the AdwCleaner quarantine.

Windows 8.1 did return the Start Button, just not the Start Menu.  I was going to include Stardock's Start 8 ($5) as a suggestion if you wanted an adware free program but discovered it now includes an "Adpeak" adware variant. 

From what I could find in my research, the three listed below are free of adware. 

Start Is Back:  ($3 for 2 machines):  StartIsBack - real start menu for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
Start Menu X (free & Pro version):  Start Menu X
Classic Shell (free):  Classic Shell - Start menu and other Windows enhancements



Most importantly, at this point, after you've spent some time on your laptop, please let us know if is PlurPush gone.

[PastyWhiteGuy]

back from hunting wascawy wabbits, evil malware and other exciting adventures.  :Win73:

I have a classic start button, winpatrol pro, malwarebytes pro and spyware blaster (nonpro) and the MS firewall.

So far no little PlurPush pop-ups or pop-ins. Corrine's Crew to the resCue again. Y'all are amazing and I'm grateful.  :thumbsup:

[Corrine]

Excellent, Dean!  We were very happy to help.  I'm glad you were able to take advantage of the WinPatrol Pro offer as well as getting the MBAM Pro license while it is still a lifetime license.

In that case, I think you can put the rifle away now.