Unwanted random adverts all over the place.

[Alfbik]

I recently searched online for a hotel in the Scottish borders. Since my search I have been deluged with random adverts showing hotels that I looked at in the area. The adverts snake into everything in my browsing activities. Is there a way of tracing the source and wiping it out? My problem is not just hotels however. Purchase I make on Amazon are usually followed by a stream of alternatives

 

[Trouble]

Sounds like one or more of the thousands of PUPS (Potentially Unwanted Programs) that are out there have attached themselves to your system.
My suggestion would be a thorough scan.....

These are the programs I use to generally delouse a computer with virus and or malware issues.
ADWcleaner from here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/dl/125/
JRT (Junkware Removal Tool) from here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/junkware-removal-tool/dl/131/
RogueKiller from here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/roguekiller/
Norton Power Eraser from here https://security.symantec.com/nbrt/npe.aspx
Malwarebytes from here http://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/confirm/
SuperAntiSpyware from here http://www.superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWAREFREE
Ccleaner from here http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/standard
TFC.exe (Temporary Files Cleaner) from here http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/files/file/187-tfc-temp-file-cleaner-by-oldtimer/
ESET Online Scanner from here http://www.eset.com/us/online-scanner/

Eset online scanner is a bit different than the others in that you need to either use
IE or download and run their smart installer if you're using another browser. Then tick
the radio button that says "Enable detection of potentiall unwanted application"
Then click the link that says "Advanced settings", then check all the boxes except the
one that mentions "Use custom proxy settings", unless of course you're using a Proxy
Server. Then just click "Start", it will do a thorough system scan so it takes a long
time.

I don't check the links above everyday, so if you have any problem with any one of them then just Google for the program name but use the site names that I have recommended since I'm relatively certain they are free of extraneous garbage.

I usually start with Ccleaner followed with TFC.....
Then JRT followed by ADWcleaner, then the rest saving Eset Offline Scanner till last to bat cleanup.

 

[Saltgrass]

I get ads which follow me around in places like this forum. I have assumed they are from cookies placed on the system. I guess my point might be is exactly how these ads show up in your browsing.

I have encountered a PUP and those things are a real pain. But it seems like they would pop up windows which were not part of the normal ads on websites.

 

[Vince Massi]

A couple of years ago, I researched "jihad." I spent several weeks receiving ads to purchase Moslem brides.