"messenger service" pop up ads

[Alison]

I don't know if this is a security issue, but if anyone
has any suggestions or feedback, I would appreciate it. I
am constantly getting these weird pop ups
titled "messenger service". I cannot find the source of
these pop ups, and they are mostly ads for services to
get rid of these types of pop ups (ie, messenger buster
or killmessenger.com) Supposedly this is only on
computers that have windows xp, so I am wondering if
there is something I can do myself to stop these. I just
do not want to pay $29.95 to the people who are doing
this so they will stop. Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Alison;
These ads are using Messenger Service.
Messenger Service is a valuable tool many use.
Like many tools, it can be exploited.

No need to pay for the fix.
For Messenger Service ads:
You need to install or enable a firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
Disabling Messenger Service can be a good idea, but it does not solve
the real problem.
The ads are not the real problem, the ads are only a symptom.
The real problem is open ports that allow unwanted traffic into the
computer.
Disabling Messenger does nothing for the open ports.
The firewall controls the traffic.

Internet Connection Firewall will not work if you have AOL.
AOL is not compatible with Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF)
If you have AOL, you should contact AOL and/or get a 3rd party
firewall.

Disable Messenger Service:
Start/Control Panel, click Administrative Tools, click Services.
Go down to "Messenger".
Right click "Messenger" and select Properties.
Then under Start-up select DISABLE
Click OK and follow prompts