Re: POPUP PROBLEMS

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospam.cableone.net)
Date: 07/18/03 

Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 21:56:46 -0600

Greetings --

    This particular "sales method" is strikingly similar to the
"protection" rackets offered to small businesses by organized
criminals. Yes, it's a scam; no reputable business would need to
resort to extortion. Particularly since they're trying to sell you a
type of protection that is already available to you free of charge.

    This a type of spam has become quite common over the past few
months, and unintentionally serves as a valid security "alert." It
demonstrates that you haven't been taking sufficient precautions while
connected to the Internet. Your data probably hasn't been compromised
by these specific advertisements, but if you're open to this exploit,
you may well be open to other threats. Install and use a decent,
properly configured firewall. (Disabling the messenger service, as
some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does nothing to
secure your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" these
messages and the problem they represent is particularly foolish.

Messenger Service of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement
Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

    You will have to obtain a 3rd party firewall, as AOL has
deliberately made their connection software incompatible with WinXP's
built-in firewall. AOL's proprietary connection applet is
deliberately designed to preclude your setting/adjusting any of its
properties, to include enabling/disabling WinXP's firewall, which is
connection-specific.

Bruce Chambers 

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"GL" <glightm541@aol.com> wrote in message
news:02a401c34bdf$5d9cc050$a601280a@phx.gbl...
> I am inundated with POPUP'S.  I receive approximately 100
> per day.  I am told that Windows XP is very susceptible
> to receiving POPUP'S.  I am using AOL 8.0 as my ISP and
> have called AOL about this for technical support.  I have
> the AOL POPUP controls installed/engaged.  AOL states
> that the continued problem is because of a vulnerability
> with Windows XP.  Can anyone please help me STOP these
> &%#*!^@ POPUP's?
>
> Thank You.
>
> GL

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