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Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!!
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Subject: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Nov 03 - 06:56 PM Twice now, I've been searching the Internet, and my entire screen is taken over by something called LookPortal. There are links, on it, including one that says it will close the LookPortal window. It covers up the entire screen, and doesn't allow me access to the "close window" box or any of the features of Windows except CTRL-ALT-DEL - I use that to close Internet Explorer, and then I'm all right. I'm afraid to click on any of the links on LookPortal, sing it's invasive already and I'm afraid it will take over my computer more if I play with it. I tried a Google search, and it appears LookPortal may be some sort of search engine, but I sure don't want to use a search engine that takes over my computer like that. I did a search at Symantec and at Microsoft.com, but came up with nothing. Can anybody tell me about LookPortal, and what I can do to stop it from taking over my computer? -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Amergin Date: 13 Nov 03 - 07:05 PM i dont know anything about LooPortal...but you could download a copy of Adaware...it is free for personal use...it searches for spyware... Adaware |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: JohnInKansas Date: 13 Nov 03 - 07:59 PM I don't know why it should be taking over your machine, unless it's related to you visiting a site that's signed up for LookPortal. LookPortal appears to be a "pay per click" search engine that a site can sign up to - and get paid for the number of people who use the search engine from their site. Info????? Sign Up for LookPortal LookPortal Home John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Joe Offer Date: 13 Nov 03 - 08:33 PM Hi, John - Thanks a lot. The page I get is the one at http://www.aquariusinc.com/search/root.cgi - except that it fills my entire screen, covers up all toolbars, and disables my Internet Explorer controls and foils my attempts to close the window. -Joe- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Bill D Date: 13 Nov 03 - 08:44 PM Joe--you 'can' set most new browsers and/or firewalls to specifically reject selected sites...sounds like that one is a candidate. (I almost never use IE, so don't know the specific procedure that might work in it) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Bill D Date: 13 Nov 03 - 08:51 PM I did a Google search and found a "supertop100" site, that when I clicked,sent me to the LookPortal search engine, opened a new window and tried to set cookies for LookPortal and something else and did maximize the window!...but I was in Mozilla, and I killed the cookies and did NOT allow it to do any more....and it did not prevent me from closing the window,, |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 13 Nov 03 - 09:18 PM Sorry Joe - Max sold your soul to Google and its doubtful Daniel Webster, Bobby Johnson, Faustus, or even Peter Norton....can get it back....but if you ask real nice .....
Sincerely, |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 14 Nov 03 - 03:49 PM What a nightmare. You may already know about this, but there's a free firewall you can download which really does deliver the goods. It was personally recommended to me, and I've had it on both computers for about 2 years and am very satisfied with it, as are various people whom I've told about it. Of course the company has "professional" versions which are for sale and are higher spec, but the one I have works well and doesn't have any bad side effects as far as I can see. They are at www.zonelabs.com, and you need to sort of hunt around for the free version, which is listed on the right hand side of the page about half way down, in a column of links ("ZoneAlarm Free"). That will then take you to a second page: go to the bottom and look out on the left for "Basic Zone Alarm" which is the free one. Click on that link which takes you to another page, a column-by-column comparison of the free version with their two "pro" ones (which if course will do more, but cost). If you want the free one, click the red "download" bar at the bottom of the left-hand column, which I will try to make a blue clicky of at the end of this post, which will skip all the preliminary stages. But really, it might be worth going in the "long" route and taking a look at what's on offer. Anyway, for the free one try clicking this: BASIC ZONE ALARM |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Mr Red Date: 14 Nov 03 - 03:57 PM Isn't there a mode in IE that will fill the screen, like F11? I assume Alt Tab was no use (or alt enter). What does it say in IE Help? |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: JohnInKansas Date: 14 Nov 03 - 07:03 PM You can set preferences in IE for several things that affect searches. It's possible that LookPortal, or some site that uses it has "slammed" LookPortal into your list of search engines. If you click on the "Search" button in the toolbar at the top of your IE screen, you'll get one of a few different screens, depending on what preferences you already have set. Somewhere there, you'll find a "customize" or "change preferences" button that will let you look at how you're set up. When you search using normal IE utilities, or by opening a search engine you've chosen, the engine you choose should be used. It's possible though, that if you're connected to a site that's signed up for one of these p.o.s. engines when you initiate the search, the site's search engine could be invoked instead of the one you chose. [debate about whether this means the site operators are assholes or just incompetents may follow]. If the window is not maximized but is just "too big" to display the "X" button, you may be able to drag a border to resize it and bring the button back in view. You cannot, however, drag to resize a maximized window. You can right click on the button in the task bar (at the bottom of the screen, if you haven't moved it) and select "Close," to close any Window. This may be a little quicker than the "three fingered salute" (Ctl-Alt-Del) route, since Windows has to look at all of the running processes to decide which ones to show in Task Manager, before it can offer you the "end task" option. It also lets you close a single window, if you have more than one open, whereas Task Manager usually closes the whole application (i.e. all the windows associated with IE). John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: GUEST Date: 15 Nov 03 - 02:37 PM Alt and f4 usually closes windows that you don't want. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 15 Nov 03 - 03:50 PM John, can't find any button that leads to close at the bottom of my screen (Netscape), but there is a symbol that looks like a plug. It says "You are on line. Click icon to go off line." I can't find anything on the IE screen that closes or allows going off line. Joe says everything covered. This happened to me once but some time ago- details not remembered. I used the restart button on my computer to get out of the problem. I never leave any work unsaved if I use another screen so I haven't lost anything except some message that I was typing. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 15 Nov 03 - 07:28 PM Under "file" in IE there is an option for "work offline". |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 15 Nov 03 - 07:33 PM Same is true of Netscape, McGrath. But what can you do when the entire screen-desktop area is covered? The restart button is the only option that I can find. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: John Routledge Date: 15 Nov 03 - 07:40 PM Worth repeating Bonnie's advice. I too have basic Zone Alarm Firewall downloaded and instructed my McAffee anti-virus package to attack the Firewall. McAffee did not find any way in. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: JohnInKansas Date: 15 Nov 03 - 08:12 PM Even with the window maximized, it should never cover the status bar at the bottom of the Windows screen. It is possible, however, to drag the status bar off the bottom of the screen. This is sometimes handy if you really, really, really need all the screen space you can get. If you don't have the bar with the "Start" button on it, at the bottom of the screen, just run your mouse down to the bottom until you get the "double arrow" cursor. Click, and drag up, and it should bring the status bar (or call it the Start bar, if you like) into view. The Start button should be on the left, with your "quick-start" tray of shortcuts next to it on the left. There should be a short bar of what we used to call your "TSR" programs on the right. In the middle of the bar, you should have a button for each Window that is running. When you right-click on one of the buttons, you get the options to resize or move the top window (the one that's displayed) or to close it. In most versions of Windows, you can drag the status bar to either side, or to the top of the Screen. If you happen to have put it somewhere else, you'll have to go to the edge where it was when it got pushed off. This is a Windows feature, and doesn't depend on what browser you're using - but you do have to be using Windows. Given the stated nature of LookPortal, it's unlikely that anti-spyware, or even firewall software, will have much beneficial effect. If you initiate a search while you are connected to a site that has signed up to LookPortal you have, in effect, voluntarily opened the LookPortal link. The fact that the site tricked you into doing it isn't considered (by your computer) to be unethical, immoral, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. It will likely make the connection that you requested - no matter that it was done inadvertently. If you put the LookPortal site in your "block list," it should at least question you about whether to override, but that does depend on what level of security you have set (at least in IE). It's also likely that the search engine is initiated "second-hand" (by alias) and may be accessible via more than one site link, so you may have to block several sites to stop it. The most effective counter would be to identify the site that's signed up for this "service" and is giving you the "blown" link; and inform the site manager that you will cease visiting his site, and will inform your friends to do likewise, if he/she doesn't get it fixed or get rid of it. Then let us all know who's responsible, so we won't go there. John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Bill D Date: 15 Nov 03 - 09:06 PM "Even with the window maximized, it should never cover the status bar at the bottom of the Windows screen." when I hit F11 in my either my Mozilla browser or Opera browser, it maximizes and DOES cover the entire screen, including the Windows taskbar...in Mozilla, it leaves me the 'X' to click to close it, and the +,- etc., but in Opera, there is NO title bar, no control icons, -,+ or X, no taskbar...nothing but the site window. If any other windows are open, alt-tab would likely get you back to the task bar, but I'm not sure what that would solve. It may well be that the offending site somehow initiates whatever each browser can do regarding maximizing... I know if that just 'happened' in Opera, I might not think to try hitting F11 to recover....well, until now, that is.. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 15 Nov 03 - 10:18 PM A little dense, I was looking for some button other than the Start in the task bar, since I had assumed that the problem was that the bar was covered as well. When the entire screen-desktop is covered and margins can't be dragged to reach it, only the restart toggle on the computer is left. That did happen to me once.-- Now I thought that was what happened to Joe. When he gets time, perhaps he will explain more fully. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: NicoleC Date: 15 Nov 03 - 11:17 PM F11 also works in IE to go to Full Screen or to toggle it off. If that doesn't work, you can often get your Start bar to move to the front and become accessible by hitting the special Windows key on most PC keyboards made post-Windows 95. You should then be able to right-click on the tab that pertains to the window (or anything else that's open) and use the right-click context menu to "Close" the offending window. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Nov 03 - 02:38 AM There are some good ideas here that may help me solve my little mystery. I used a spyware remover and found some suspicious things on my computer, but noting related to LookPortal. I forgot about F11 toggling fullscreen, so I'll have to try that if I get another LookPortal attack. It may have been address-bar searches that took me to LookPortal - how can I change the search engine connected to my address bar? I looked through "Internet Options" in MSIE, but didn't find a search option. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: GUEST,MyHeadHurts Date: 16 Nov 03 - 02:40 AM Hi folkies, just passing by on a wild goose chase for an Internetsearch contest, try going to these places: Spybot HijackThis spyware support forum good luck. |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: JohnInKansas Date: 16 Nov 03 - 06:42 AM Joe - Your IE should have a "Search" button in the top or second bar (in the same row with your Back button usually. If you click "Search" it will most likely open a sidebar called "Search Companion" (ain't that cute), where you'll find a choice to "Change Preferences." If you click there, it will let you set your default search engine, which is the one that cranks up when you just type something in the addy bar. Depending on your IE version, and what "operating mode" you've chosen, you may get something a little different, but the Search Button is the starting point to get into your search setup. You might also want to click on the "View" choice at the top, and look at your "Toolbars." You probably need the "Standard Buttons" toolbar turned on to get the "Search" button. Once you get everything set up like you want, selecting (put a check by) "Lock Toolbars" may help prevent a JavaScript or other "site instruction" from overriding your layout (or not????) John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Joe Offer Date: 16 Nov 03 - 12:23 PM Hey, John, a cute little Microsoft puppy comes up with that search button. I think I'll call him Billygates. No indication of LookPortal being set to search, though. -Joe Offer- |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Q (Frank Staplin) Date: 16 Nov 03 - 02:31 PM Tried the Search button on Netscape, and got returned to my server's home page. Tried the Search button on IE, and got these choices: Find a web page (checked) Find a person's address Find a business Find a map Look up a word Find a picture Previous searches and a box where I can enter "Find a web page containing---" |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Mark Clark Date: 16 Nov 03 - 03:43 PM Joe, Here is a link to my post in Kendall's popup thread. It contains links to the best of the security products. I suspect what you need for this problem is WinPatrol (linked in the referenced post). This will keep your browser from being hijacked. HijackThis! is also excellent and is a good way to produce a listing you can send to tech support people to help you with problems. Still, WinPatrol will watch your back all the time and alert you if your browser is being hijacked, unwanted programs are being inserted into your startup procedures or, optionally, if unwanted cookies are being placed on your system. Spend the $19 for the Plus version, it gives you online access to detailed descriptions of every process running or available to run on your computer. - Mark |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Stilly River Sage Date: 16 Nov 03 - 04:31 PM I tried the basic Zone Alarm program but it didn't allow me to send any email over about one line long. I dumped it and got Norton's Firewall and it works fine. The Norton software was very busy blocking viruses and trojan horses until I put in the router for the wireless network. Now it quietly manages my cookies and blocks popup ads. A web designer can set up a window that will launch and that contains no navigation tools at all. They can set them up so that the "X" in the corner doesn't work, or it does something else (takes you to a new more annoying screen). These windows usually launch from very aggressive sites that you reach by accident (often time a mis-typed URL will reach them--I was trying to reach abcnews.com and I may have left off the "s", but whatever, the resulting aggressive porn site was a shock.) SRS |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: JohnInKansas Date: 17 Nov 03 - 01:03 AM While all the advice about security devices is admirable, the LookPortal thing is NOT (at least directly) a pop-up, virus, trojan, or any other kind of "nasty" that will be particularly affected by any of them. LookPortal is simply a search engine, like Google or any other. Quite a number of sites do "default" a search engine other than the one you normally use, when you make searches on, or from, their site. This can be quite helpful in a few cases. Since none of the standard search engines search .org sites, for example, an art or music site may use a lesser known engine that will get more appropriate results than the one you usually use, for sites with content similar to their own. A SITE that you visit can, at the site operator's option, elect to let you (or make you) use LookPortal when you launch a search while you are at their site. The only real difference from any other search engine is that the site operator gets paid for making you use it. They get paid because searches using LookPortal ONLY FIND businesses who have paid LookPortal for a listing. If LookPortal opens in a "lock-up" mode, as described, it's because the site operator is incompetent (or malicious), and the correction needs to be made by complaining LOUDLY to the site affected. If LookPortal is persistent, i.e. if it continues to be opened after you leave the site where you first used it, you are dealing with an improper, incompetent, or malicious software utility implementation - but AV, antipopup, firewalls, etc., CANT do anything about it, because, by using search on that site you told your system was ok to run that software. The fine print probably also includes the provision that using LookPortal consititutes "doing business" with the advertisers who pay LookPortal to include them in search results, so their telemarketers can ignore your "do not call" registration - or would if they could figure out how to get you phone number. Given the kind, purpose, and implementation of LookPortal, it would be surprising if it doesn't at least lay an AdClick cookie on you, so they can track you; but the "up front" thing is just a utility that your friendly neighborhood webmeister has thoughtfully provided to make a few bucks for himself. It's obnoxious, useless, objectionable, and all those other adjectivals - i.e. its ADVERTISING. As long as it only appears when you choose to search on, or from, a site that's signed up to it, none of the "protections" offered above will help, although they are mostly very good stuff for other purposes. The only real help here is to be aware of where you are on the 'net (don't walk down dark alleys) and don't go back to sites that mess with you. Q - What you get with the search button depends on the version of IE that you have, and on how you've set it up (Web view, Classic, etc). If you open HELP from your IE toolbar and search for "search" it should tell you how to get to the options adjustments for your version. (If you are going to use IE at all, I'd recommend that you get the latest version (IE6 SR1) and current updates. It is a significant improvement over older versions.) John |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Mark Clark Date: 17 Nov 03 - 07:00 PM I agree that LookPortal isn't a virus or trojan but if it changes your browser configuration—even if you said it was okay—WinPatrol should catch it and allow you back out the change. I haven't tried using LookPortal but I'll set up a test and check it out. - Mark |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: Bill D Date: 17 Nov 03 - 08:35 PM 2nd WinPatrol-- wonderful little application...and it has a cute little puppy icon that does NOT need to be named billygates..(barks to alert you, if you wish! *grin*) |
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Subject: RE: Tech: What is LookPortal? It Steals My PC!! From: GUEST,.gargoyle Date: 17 Nov 03 - 11:16 PM Apologies kind Joe ..... to the crew ....you- If the "god" is ignorant....why would anyone suggest that the lesser dieties be more than mortal?
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