mysterious pop-up

[Jim]

I'm occasionally seeing a pop-up in Windows format saying
that "it" has detected that I have security flaw MS03-
043, and I should click on a box or go to windows-
patch.info. Is this a spoof?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Jim;
It is not a spoof.
It is also not a Microsoft site.
It is simply someone trying to sell you something Microsoft will give
you for free:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/paypat.htm

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

As the prior reply states, this is bogus. However, the fact that you're
getting messenger service popups (presuming the title of the message box
mentions Windows Messenger) indicates that you are not using your built-in
XP firewall, or a third party firewall, and hence your computer is exposed
to the Internet and all the little darlings who like to play around on other
people's computers.

Enable your firewall or get a third party hardware or software firewall to
block all inbound traffic by default, and run Windows Update regularly. Also
make sure you have good AV software that is updated regularly.