message about email clutter

eberners

New Email
A message appeared on a friend's AOL email screen. In a bright yellow bar, it said, "Clear your PC's clutter (1)". Is this malware, an ad, or a message from AOL? She doesn't know how to use forums so I'm helping her out. After 155 views and 0 replies in the forum, I have come to Help Desk.
 

foggy

Valued Member
It's likely an ad. Why would AOL (a webmail service) find out or care about the 'clutter' on one's PC? Or does your friend have AOL software on her computer, like a desktop client? Even if it's the latter, AOL is not a virus or malware scanner/cleaner. If you have PC clutter, play it safe and try using the highly respected Secunia PSI. (Use free version.)
 
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eberners

New Email
Thanks foggy. I think I will tell her to just ignore the message and maybe it will go away. It appeared in the options bar at the top of the AOL email window -- I don't know what that bar is called because I'm not on AOL myself, just helping out.
 

foggy

Valued Member
Thanks foggy. I think I will tell her to just ignore the message and maybe it will go away. It appeared in the options bar at the top of the AOL email window -- I don't know what that bar is called because I'm not on AOL myself, just helping out.

If you mean (or she means) the bar above where it says AOL Mail (with a search bar just on the right of those words), it's surely an ad, especially if there's an "x" on the right of that yellow bar/banner. I just logged in to an AOL account that I forgot I had and right above the AOL Mail search bar area I see an ad to 'upgrade' my browser to Firefox. (I'm actually using PaleMoon which is quite good and safe. AOL just hasn't gotten up to speed with the fact that PaleMoon exists. Anyway...)

I do see among the 'options' one called 'download the AOL mail toolbar.' Did she do that by any chance. That could also explain things.

In any case, there's no fear in disregarding the 'clutter' warning. Still, if she's concerned, it might be a good idea to install Secunia PSI mentioned above. It's a highly used and frequently recommended program for getting the junk out of one's PC.
 
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eberners

New Email
Hi foggy -- I finally have the choices that appear in the bar where the strange message appears. It goes like this:

New....Old....Sent....Mail Folders... Search Mail....Clean Your Computer

Sorry it took so long. It's not on my computer, and I had to wait for my friend to send it. Her email is working ok so we think you are right that it's just an ad.
 
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