What's Going On?

[rsvp]

Think I need to do a systems restore to yesterday if that's possible but have googled til I'm dizzy to find out how to do it. Running windows 8.1 - mainly using firefox.
Came onto AB and kept getting an adobe update warning - tried to do it but it didn't work so think I made a huge mistake and should have ignored it. Now am getting things like 'page couldn't load/ the connection was reset plus the layout on AB has changed with lots of ads between the answers and certain words in bold capitals with a little green icon on the top right of the word. Have run a complete Avast scan with nothing untoward found.
As usual, any advice welcomed. Thank you

[jeffa]

Adobe what?

[rsvp]

Jeffa I think it was an update for adobe flash player

[jeffa]

OK. Go to Programs and Features, order by "Installed On" in descending order. Is there anything there from around the time the problems began?

[factor-fiction]

Look in Ed's Blog and you'll see the ongoing problem about malicious code in some of the adverts on AB.
I don't know whether whatever you downloaded can be uninstalled but running Malware Bytes and/or your normal virus/spyware checker may help

[rsvp]

Sorry Jeffa - have opened 'all programmes' on the start menu and there's no features there - am I looking in the wrong place? (Just to warn you, I'm an 'old person' with a computer far too advanced for me. thanks

[jeffa]

Programs and Features can be found in the Control Panel.

[brainiac]

I have a Compaq laptop running Windows Vista Basic. I've twice had to do a Sysyem Restore as I couldn't access the internet. When you turn on the computer hold down the F11 key - you will get a few buzzes and beeps, but persevere and you will find a wizard appears which will take you through how to do it, with a choice of how far back you want to go. Good luck!

[jeffa]

^^ rsvp, do NOT do this, at least, not yet. System Restore is an absolute last resort.

[rsvp]

Have found what you asked me Jeffa and there's nothing recent there.
I keep getting all sorts of ads etc with ad browser in small print across the one corner.

[jeffa]

OK, time for Malwarebytes: https://www.malwarebytes.org/antimalware/

Download, install and run and let it do its stuff.

[rsvp]

Jeffa I clicked on your link and the download instructions said I should allow the file to run but just before I began the download I was only given the option to save it? what am I doing wrong?

[hc4361]

Save it

[Buenchico]

Save the file to your hard drive and then double-click on it to run the installation process. Make sure that you remove the tick (which is pre-selected) from the option to take a free trial of the 'Premium' version of Malwarebytes. When malware is found, use the 'quarantine' option.

[rsvp]

Thanks everyone and I'm really trying to sort this following your advice - but.......much as I try to follow Jeffa's link I can't find your recommendation Buenchico to untick the free trial of the premium version. So sorry to be a nuisance!

[Buenchico]

When you double-click on the file to install the program, there are a few places here you have to click 'Next' to proceed. At the last one (I think) there are a couple of pre-ticked boxes. From memory, one invites you to install a desktop icon and the other invites you to take a trial of the 'Premium' version. It's that tick you should remove. (If you've got past there, without removing the tick, don't worry. You'll still be able to run the program, to get rid of the malware that's causing your problems).

[rsvp]

now I have talking ads and every time I click on anything some (dubious?) ad appears - still can't find the opt out box to click so should I just go ahead and download anyway?

[factor-fiction]

Yes. You can always remove Malwarebytes once the problem has been eliminated

[rsvp]

the download went from anti malware to 'total system care' which tells me I need to register before six hundred and odd problems are resolved - surely this isn't right?

[rsvp]

okay - can hardly use my computer as I keep getting bombarded with ads, notices to update things and dire warnings that terrible things are going to happen if I don't update immediately for this that and the other (haven't clicked on anything btw) - I appreciate all the help and have really followed instructions to the letter but it's just not happening, I've tried and tried to get the malware download but can't even find the opt out button and then get directed to something else - think I'm going to leave it for this evening as my eyes and head feel as though they are about to burst -maybe will have another go tomorrow or leave it until I get back from a trip on Monday - a real big thank you to all who have tried to help - usually it works but alas this time it hasn't - thank you once again.

[Buenchico]

>>>the download went from anti malware to 'total system care' which tells me I need to register before six hundred and odd problems are resolved - surely this isn't right?

No, it's not!

It's possible that the malware on your computer actually redirected Jeffa's (100% correct) link to something nasty, pretending to be Malwarebytes, to avoid you zapping the malware.

Your original suggestion of trying Windows Restore might be worth going back to. This explains how to use it in Windows 8.1:
http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/windows/3443387/how-use-system-restore-in-windows-8/