Open Help and Support and search for "firewall". This will tell you how to enable XP's built in firewall. If you have a valid reason not to use a firewall, click Start, Run and enter SERVICES.MSC Locate the Messenger entry and double click it. Set it to Stopped and Disabled.
However, the reason they can get to the Messenger Service (not to be confused with Windows Messenger) in the first place, is that your internet connection is not secure.
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/winmesspop.htm
--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com
--------------------------------
Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
--------------------------------
Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
"steve" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:2e30901c46c76$23100650$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I was using the Explorer to access my corporate office's e-
> mail system when the message popped up.
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>When do you receive this message? While browsing the
> internet? While doing other tasks and don't have your web
> browser open?
>>
>>For tips on creating an effective newsgroup post, please
> see: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>--
>>Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered
> Smart Display
>>Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
>>http://www.dougknox.com
>>--------------------------------
>>Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
>>http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
>>--------------------------------
>>Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
>>Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>>
>>"steve" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> message news:2e1a001c46c2e$04edb840$(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>I received a popup message:
>>> "browser safety settings on your computer are
> dangerously
>>> low" "With your current settings, any web site you
> visit
>>> (and any ad that is shown to you) can automatically
>>> install software on your computer.
>>> IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU RAISE YOUR SECURITY
>>> SETTINGS NOW!
>>> Would you like virtual bouncer to increase your
> security
>>> settings?
>>>
>>> Is this a scan or really something important? I can
> not
>>> close the pop-up window. My only choises are "yes"
>>> or "no" and I am afraid that selecting either would
>>> install something.
>>.
>>