annoying desktop message

[tissue]

Could you please help me or give me some advice?

My computer displayed SPAM message from time to time. It is not a spam email. But a pop-up box tempting you to browse their websites. The situation is becoming worse as compared to the past. Some of the pop-up message is asking you to browse a pornographic website.

I would like to block this kind of annoying pop-up. It appear on top of everything, no matter you are surfing or working on a word file. It is a grey window box with text, asking you to browse their website for free. The first sentence is saying "message sending from MICROSOFT to 202.1xx.xx.xxx at "date" "time". The rest is the brief introduction and the URL which tempt you to browse their sites.

I am not sure whether I am broadcasting my internet address when surfing. I use computer only in the office and all of my colleagues get the same message. Is there any method to block and safeguard our computer? We are a small office and cannot afford the anti-hacker software.

I did use "print screen" and save one of the pop-up message in a word file as a sample. If anyone would like to know about it in order to cure the problem, just let me know.

Please help.

Tissue

[YODA74]

you can try some free apps here pop up stoppers and such

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15179

If you could post the pop up it would help if you take the pop up save as a picture file instead of word doc shrink it. you can post it here or if you have a web then give a link to the doc...

[deddard]

Possibly Messenger?
Not windows messenger, but a different app.
you can disable this under system tools.

[YODA74]

good call deddard... it should have rang a bell when it was "message sending from MICROSOFT to 202.1xx.xx.xxx at "date" "time".


Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disabled or Manual on the Startup Type drop-down menu
Click OK

[Jason1971]

Hello Tissue,
This is what I use Pop-up Stoper. You can get it here: http://download.com.com/3000-2366-10184878.html?tag=lst-0-1

It's free and easy to use. I don't use all of the time but if I am researching or just goofing off on the web I will run it as needed.

[HeadachesAbound]

Sounds like you are running XP or 2000 which allows this to happen. Yoda's suggestion should resolve it, but I would recommend installing and running a Firewall on your machines. It's up to personnal preference as to which you choose and I know that others can make better recommendations than I on Firewall software. I use Zone Alarm's Free Version and it stops alot of things including the messages you describe.

[david eaton]

Tissue, another program you might find useful for removing this pop-up is Spybot S&D. It's free, regularly updated and effective. See the likns in MJC's thread and sig for the link.

David

[Budfred]

It sounds to me like you have a hijacker if you get these popups even when you are working on a Word file. Popup stoppers won't stop this and it may mean that your computer has been hacked. I would certainly try Spybot, but I would also run a trojan hunter, online virus scan and maybe run Startup List and Hijack this to see what is running background. You can get links to these programs here:

http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15179

[mjc]

What you have described is the classic Messenger SPAM. Flat out, nothing else involved....

Here is how to disable it...

Disable Messenger SPAM (http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/administration/communications/msgrspam.asp)

More here (http://www.mynetwatchman.com/kb/security/articles/popupspam/)

and here, too (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,55795,00.html)

[tissue]

Thanks so much for the buddies who replied as well as people who viewed and showed concern.

The problem has been solved. You have my vote of thanks!

I am new to this site and am not good in computer. I am really touched and impressed by your professionalism. The solution and advice not only solved my problem, but also enhance my knowledge in computer.

Cheers

[Brian1154]

Thank you MJC, I too was having this problem

changed from win98se to win200 pro recently, I didnt know what was causing this.

Thanks again

Brian