Hi Jillian,
You need to turn of networking on your internet connection. You do this by
either disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP or turn on the firewall.
To disable the Messenger Service:
Go to Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services. Double click the
Messenger Service and change Automatic to Disabled, then click the Stop
button.
Or use this automated edit:
Disable Messenger Service (Line 95)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/
More information and options here on using a Firewall:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#ms
To Delete the Messenger Service:
Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: sc delete messenger. Reboot.
Or...
Or go to Start/Run/Regedit and navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services
It may be wise to disable the Administrative Alerts Service as well.
Specify the Schedule for Alerter Service - This setting is used to specify
how often the server checks alert conditions and sends any required alert
messages to administrative users.
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/832/
Running ZoneAlarm and/or blocking incoming port 135 should be sufficient to
stop things.
To enable XP's Internet Connection Firewall
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q283673
Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q330904
NOTE: Direct quote from the developers of this software:
"Notice: Please do not use this software for spamming. If you do so, you
will take full responsibility for your actions. This software is made to
send advertising or system messages to your own network".
To file complaints write to:
http://www.directadvertiser.com/contact.html