POPUP PROBLEMS

  • Thread starter Thread starter GL
  • Start date Start date
G

GL

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
 
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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