UNWANTED POP UP MESSAGES

[Ken Hanley]

I am being constantly hit with messages from Messenger
Stopper, ByeByeads, and a couple others. How come they
can get into my computer and right in the middle of an
area I am working in, and it forces me to either answer
them or "X" them off only to have them reappear in a few
minutes?

They say "WARNING: These messages are received using
Microsoft's Windows Messenger which is implemented in your
virsion of windows. This is a security risk! In order to
protect your computer please go to
http://www.MessengerStopper.com" Then they say "before
clicking OK, please take note of
URL:http://messengerstopper.com.

No matter is you go there or the byebyeads, they want you
to pay them 25 or 30 dollars to get rid of the very same
messages they are sending me. Is that fair? Is there
anything we can do to stop this junk??

Do we need to go to our State people or our
Congressperson??

Any suggestions will be appreciated. I am a 75 year old
man and not to familure with computers so please keep it
simple.

Thanks

Ken

 

[Steven L Umbach]

Hi Ken. You need to install a firewall on your computer or use one at your
internet connection if you have cable/dsl. You may also want to install a
pop up stopper, though they may somewhat inhibit web browsing without some
user intervention like holding down control/shift key - I find it well
worthwhile. There are free firewalls and pop up stoppers or else invest in
something like Norton Internet Security. In addition to virus scan, you
should also periodically run a program to remove "spyware". See links for
more info. --- Steve

http://securityadmin.info/faq.asp#pop-ups -- FAQ.
http://www.webattack.com/Freeware/security/fwfirewall.shtml -- Firewalls
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-10045910.html?legacy=cnet -- Free Ad
Aware - removes spyware
http://www.panicware.com/product_psfree.html -- Free Pop Up Stopper
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/ -- Norton Security. Available at
Best Buy, Walmart, etc.

 

[Herb Martin]

You're telling a 75 year old man to buy and install a

firewall to defeat the giant security hole in the
preinstalled operating system that came on his computer

You have a choice about hooking it up to the World Wide
Internet.