what are these MESSAGES!!!

[baggies]

Hi i've just brought a brand spanking new pentium 4 3 ghz pc , literally 4 hours ago. Iv'e been surfing the net and every so often a box pops up with 'MESSAGE SERVICE' on top, in the box is someone saying hi etc and asking me to go to there web sites etc, or stuff for college degrees..

What are theese messages and how do i turn them off..

Ive not even registered with no web sites or nothing as my pc is so new...

Any ideas??

[PrntRhd]

Go to grc (http://www.grc.com) , look for "free stuff" and download and install the 3 musketeers.
What you are experiencing is Windows Messenger service in XP/2000 which was left on by default by Microsoft. It allows spammers to send messages through a messenger intended for system administators. Use Kill the Messenger to make it go away from the grc site downloads.

Do you have a decent firewall program on that computer? If not, get one ASAP. Do Windows Updates also.

[Donn]

Hi baggies:

You don't list your system specs, so without knowing I'd ask you to consider the following, and rather quickly before trouble starts:

Free Sygate firewall:
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

Free edition AVG anti-virus at:

www.grisoft.com

Some diagnostic tools at:

Jason’s Browser Security Test:

http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

Gibson tests:
http://www.grc.com/default.htm

I use LeakTest, DCOMbobulator, ShieldsUp, and UnplugNpray, and PrntRhd has already mentioned 3 Musketeers

You might also benefit from looking into MRUBlaster, Script Sentry SpywareBlaster, Adaware, and Spybot. Those of us still using IE use these protections. Also remember to stay updated on everything especially Windows. Spubot, Adaware, and AVG update about every 3 days or so.