Pop ups???

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Guest

Hi,
I bought a new computer, the problem is that I get these windows saying that
there are more than 10 spyware on my computer and they displays some web
adresses where I can buy programs to stop this, there are also messages
saying that there is a problem with Windows and it also show some adresses to
buy more problems, I don´t really know to much about computers, is there
anything I can do from the control panel or somewhere else to avoid these
anoying windows???
Thank you all
 
/Alex/ said:
I bought a new computer, the problem is that I get these windows saying that
there are more than 10 spyware on my computer and they displays some web
addresses where I can buy programs to stop this. There are also messages
saying that there is a problem with Windows. It also shows some addresses to
buy more problems. I don´t really know to much about computers. Is there
anything I can do from the control panel or somewhere else to avoid these
anoying windows???
Click to expand...

It appears that the PC is infested with "spyware"...which may be
generating the messages. Once it has been cleaned, which may require help
of a knowledgable friend or technician, practice safer computing.

http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/expertzone/columns/northrup/restoreperf.asp
 
Alex said:
Hi,
I bought a new computer, the problem is that I get these windows saying that
there are more than 10 spyware on my computer and they displays some web
adresses where I can buy programs to stop this, there are also messages
saying that there is a problem with Windows and it also show some adresses to
buy more problems, I don´t really know to much about computers, is there
anything I can do from the control panel or somewhere else to avoid these
anoying windows???
Thank you all
Click to expand...

The annoying windows are basically adverts that are designed to scare you
into into buying their products, not illegal although immoral probably. Bit
just in case you already have picked up some adware, do a Google for
AdAware and get yourself a free copy!
 
Alex said:
Hi,
I bought a new computer, the problem is that I get these windows saying
that
there are more than 10 spyware on my computer and they displays some web
adresses where I can buy programs to stop this, there are also messages
saying that there is a problem with Windows and it also show some adresses
to buy more problems, I don´t really know to much about computers, is
there
anything I can do from the control panel or somewhere else to avoid these
anoying windows???
Thank you all
Click to expand...

The source of that pop-up may well be spyware. There was, it was just
caught this last week as I recall, at least one company that invades your
machine with a virus and provides a pop-up to tell you about it and directs
you to their own web site to buy a program to fix it. Neat plan.

Got one of the recognized programs like AdAware or Spybot and use that.
These are available in free versions. I believe links have already been
provided.
 
It's a scam, plain and simple. It's from a very unscrupulous
"business." They're trying to sell you patches that Microsoft
provides free-of-charge, and using a very intrusive means of
advertising. It's also demonstrating that your PC is very unsecure.

This type of spam has become quite common over the past couple of
years, 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 most definitely open to other threats, such as the Blaster,
Welchia, and Sasser Worms that still haunt the Internet. Install and
use a decent, properly configured firewall. (Merely disabling the
messenger service, as some people recommend, only hides the symptom,
and does little or nothing to truly secure your machine.) And
ignoring or just "putting up with" the security gap represented by
these messages 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

Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure UDP ports 135,
137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are all blocked. You
may also disable Inbound NetBIOS over TCP/IP). You'll have
to follow the instructions from firewall's manufacturer for the
specific steps.

You can test your firewall at:

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vr_main.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=GPVHGBYNCJEIMXQKCDT

Security Scan - Sygate Online Services
http://www.sygatetech.com/

Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer
security. The real problem is not the messenger service pop-ups;
they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as
a security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and
you've been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this
helpful?


--

Bruce Chambers

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