atcomsystems.ca/forum Forums Computers & Programming Computers, Software, Accessories Pop Ups?

Also look in you system32 folder and see if you have a file called boot.cfg if so delete it its part of a browser hijacker and check your host file to see if it has anything more than the local host and what you have put in it.

Still getting the pop ups. Is it possible they are coming in on an open port of the firewall? These blasted things pop up even without Internet Explorer open. Spybot and adware show all clear any more suggestions?

Johny-
Did you download anything like Kazaa, Bonzai Buddy, Weatherbug, Gator, or anything like that? Many of these will appear as a single application but contain embedded spybots. I've seen situtations where even if you think the offending application is gone, it leaves enough behind to cause what you're experiencing.
Bill

I have'nt downloaded any of the ones you mentioned, however, I did recetnly install MS messenger. I have deleted that as well. When I click on the link in the pop ups it takes me to an ad for software to stop the messages. In its' advertisment it states that MS messenger leaves you open for those type of pop ups. I'm afraid that when I installed MS messenger it opened up some ports that I had blocked on my firewall, but now I don't know which ones to turn back off. I had this trouble once before about a year ago and turning off those ports fixed the problem but I don'nt remeber what the ports are to turn off.

[This message has been edited by JOHNYREB (edited August 24, 2003).]

Make sure that with spybot, you first use the online button to get updates for Spybot with the newest definitions.

Also, make sure you IMMUNIZE using spybot. That's the first option that comes up, should be two red X's -- turn them to green check marks by clicking on them.

These sound like Windows Messenger pop-ups not IE...
Were you able to stop messenger service?

The new Google toolbar has a pop-up blocker. And depending on what version on Windoze you are using, MS Messenger can't be totally removed because its part of the Operating System. I use a program called Trillian for IM, because I can use Yahoo, MSN, AOL & ICQ with one application. Its free and no pop-ups or spam.
You can also go to Add & Remove programs and look in there to see if anything is installed that shouldn't be.

Good Luck

To disable the Messenger service in Windows XP, go to the Control Panel, Navigate to Administrative Tools | Services. Double-click on Messenger and click on Stop. Then set the Startup Type to Manual or Disable. Click on OK and the pop-up spam will be blocked.

That will work for Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows NT service pack two or higher.

If you are indeed referring to windows messenger, those should be text boxes that pop up with an OK button.

They will automatically go away if you're using a router or firewall (providing that you haven't got any special port routing or anything going on).

It's safe to disable that for all versions of windows, as the messenger service is only used in a domain controlled environment anyhow.

That did it MPOE, I'll name my next child after you! Thanks to all for the suggestions. Are those sort of things illegal? If not, they should be. It pretty much is extorsion, they pop up on my computer and tell me to get rid of these messages buy my software. Anyway problem solved thanks a million.