Computer Security & Viruses/What is Actulice?

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/28/2004


Question
When I log on to my Dell, Windows XP, a series of windows pop up that sat Actulice and it promps me to click OK.  It also reads "Modf"?

These do not look and act like pop ups.  They look like official microsoft programs trying to open.

They are b/w 5-7 everytime I log on.  I wouls like to get rid of this.

Heath Mayor  

Answer
Your computer has been infected by a type of adware. Actulice is a new variant of WINPUP, which downloads ads to your computer. You usually get infected by installing some free program that you download; the actulice program is hidden inside.

For instant free help, try Ad-aware,
http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware and Spybot, http://www.safer-networking.org You can use one or both together, as they are compatible. If they don't work, email me at carolyn.meinel@techbroker.com and I'll give you further help.

Computer Security & Viruses

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Carolyn Meinel

Expertise

I cover Windows, Linux, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, smart phones, or other networking issues.

Experience

Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker) My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).

Organizations
IEEE, AAAS

Publications
See a list with some online links at http://cmeinel.com

Education/Credentials
MS, Industrial Engineering, The University of Arizona Took a course in computer forensics at the University of Texas at Austin/

Past/Present Clients
DARPA, SAIC, Palmer Labs

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.