Bizarre activity...screen freezes for 5-10 seconds, then releases 1

[jcpierce1122]

I'm a new user of XP Pro, about 4 months, and have a cable modem connection (Roadrunner) with ZoneAlarm firewall, and McAfee antivirus. I also use Ad-Aware and Spybot several times a week, always finding the same cookies and removing them. It seems that these datamining cookies return upon reboot. So apparently my spyware software is not getting to the root of the matter. Probably they are being recreated at bootup from somewhere...but where?

When I'm working, my screen will suddenly freeze, and my keyboard lights will flash. With the sound on, I get a dipping sound on the freeze and an "undip" on restore to normal. This freeze lasts for 5-10 seconds, then releases.

I'm wondering if I have a hacker coming in through an open port? As far as I know I have no trojans sending out email, but I guess this is always a possibility. Are the data mining cookies doing this all by themselves?

What can I do to stop these freezes/hacking (if that's what's doing it) and what do you pros think is really going on?

Thanks in advance...
John

 

[linney]

The Cookies will be coming from sites you visit and will be replaced as soon as you revisit them. Have a look at Internet Options/ Privacy, you can set your preferences for handling and blocking Cookies. You can also just delete your Cookies from the Internet Options page.

Cookies are not responsible for your other problems, and in my opinion aren't much of a problem full stop.

Get a second opinion on infections by following the steps in this FAQ.

What are Good Virus/Spyware?Update/Firewall Practices?
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If you are serious about your Security I recommend a visit to this site, and for you to try some of the free trials of the excellent software available there.

http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=products