What an absolute nightmare my day has been.  I kept getting these pop-up porn ads and my browser would automatically change its default page to xupiter.  After a bit of research I found that this is a huge problem.  I can tell you from first hand experience that it is not easy to get rid of these programs.  Anyone have any experience with programs that will rid me of this problem and remove xupiter and gator?

Excellent program and if you go to the website often they have good deals on other useful programs.

I use the free version of Ad Aware. It works well for me, but I keep my computer pretty locked down to untrusted sites.  Another good free one is Spybot Search and Destroy.  It's not a US-made application, but it's very aggressive.  http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download

but you should buy the "pro" versions as they maintain current lists of offending sites to prevent this stuff in the first place.

something like pop up killer is also very good.

HPG

Everyone should have firewall software.  It's especially important if you have an always-on fast access connection.  I like the Norton Internet Suite for this.  You also get antivirus protection, which is also a must.

Pop up blockers will suppress the pop ups, but spyware does more than just give you annoying ads.  If you aren't getting all of those annoying pop up windows, you may still be sending personal information and usage data out to the internet.  Plus, most pop up killers don't discriminate very well.  Sites, like TER, that employ new windows for some links won't work properly.  You'll find yourself having to do ctrl+shift+click or some other combination to get your new window to open.  The newest version of Netscape has built-in pop up blocking, and allows you to exclude specific sites from being blocked.  AOL has been kind enough to already exclude some of their favorite sponsors for you.  Aren't they nice?

Some one else recommended security.kolla... the popup killer is called SPYBOT .. I use it after a friend recommended it.  I just went to google and searched for spybot.  Then I downloaded the free software.  Not only does it show you all the cookies etc It also shows you all the programs that get started at startup.  It examines the registry and playing in this area can be dangerous so make sure you have a backup of your system.

The best thing is to be very incremental with regard to what you try.

I have read that many of the available programs actually remove spy programs and add their own.  Seems like it should be illegal but these programs are available for purchase over the counter. I have downloaded the free Ad-aware 6.0 but it doesn't seem to get rid of everything, which I found by running other programs to check the first.  It is a huge neverending circle of a mini cold war going on inside my computer.  As if I wasn't afraid enough of getting busted hobbying, now I have to worry about who is watching me in my own home.