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Stop "Pop Up Spam"

Recently a new form of spam has been invading computers. This new form is called "pop up spam." This type of spam occurs when spammers exploit a feature of the Microsoft Windows opertating system known as Messenger Service. The Messenger Service is designed to provide users on a local- or wide-area network with messages from the network administrator. Instead outside organizations are taking advantage of this opening into your computer and are sending "pop up spam" including advertisemets, new programs or worse.

Disabling the messenger service will prevent the possiblity of "pop up spam." To disable the messenger service:

• Click Start, and then click Control Panel (or point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.)
• Double-click Administrative Tools. Double-click Services. Double-click Messenger. In the Startup type list, click Disabled. Click Stop, and then click OK.

You can also cut off "pop up spam" by using a firewall. We strongly recommend the use of firewalls for this and many other security related reasons. Learn more.

For more information on "pop up spam" visit the Federal Trade Commission.