web browsing history

[JK]

Hope somebody can help. I found a lot of innappropriate websites on my search history. Also a lot of websites that I can't imagine anyone accessing and a huge number of them. What I want to know is if a site is listed on the history does that mean it was accessed or can it be the work of a virus. We do have a virus on the computer that was bringing up a lot of ads and pop ups, none innappropriate though. Before I accuse a child or a friend of child, is it possible that my web browser was hacked into, there are too many unanswered variables like the number of sites that were benign but no one would access. Thankyou!

[Allan]

Anything is possible, but as hard as it may be to accept the most likely answer is the most obvious answer.

[tina1rules]

Hi JK,I have done that before too lol. When it turned out to be a hijacking. In case you didn't know going to this thread  http://www.computerhope.com/forum/index.php/topic,46313.0.html
and following all the steps carefully is a good idea.  Not trying to give advice at all just pointing you in the right direction.

[CBMatt]

You can pretty much rule out hacking.  Hackers generally don't access your computer just to look at porn.  If you have a virus with porn pop-ups, these will show up in your registry.  Of course, you the most common way to get this sort of virus is by visiting porn sites.  So, it may be a combination of the two.

I would advise taking the above suggestion so we can help you with virus problems.  And if your kid is looking at porn on the computer, it's best to have a civil talk that doesn't involve yelling or threatening.  And of course, installing child safety software tends to help as well.

[JK]

Thankyou all for the help!   One more question, my child uses Limewire- or did until I uninstalled it. Could Limewire be responsible for some of the inappropriate web history? I do think the answer lies somewhere in between however I had so many other random sites that were also listed. Any thoughts on Limewire as a culprit? If a porn pop up comes up does one need to click on it in order for it to be part of the web browser history?

[SuperDave]

P2P programs or file-sharing programs, of which Limewire is one of, is one of the major causes of infections. The program itself is clean but the files downloaded could be loaded with infections. Your web history only records sites visited.

[tina1rules]

A lot of the 'funny' site kids visit,have porn ads right on the side. Curiosity will get the best of a young man and they may click things. My step son visits a lot of different  sites and there are  lots of inappropriate ads. A infection or two later he doesn't click them any more.

Follow the link I gave you though to get it all cleaned up.

[CBMatt]

P2P programs or file-sharing programs, of which Limewire is one of, is one of the major causes of infections. The program itself is clean but the files downloaded could be loaded with infections. Your web history only records sites visited.

Popups will still show up in your History.  As long as the page is displayed, it technically counts as being visited.

[SuperDave]

Popups will still show up in your History.  As long as the page is displayed, it technically counts as being visited.

I stand corrected. I've never had a pop-up so I was just making an assumption.

[JK]

Thankyou all for replying. It was a great help to me!