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Ready to Pop Your Top Over "Pop
Up Spam?" Here's How to Make it Stop
Are you interrupted by a stream of
"pop up" messages that stop you from using
your home computer until you close them?
Are you tired of seeing one message
invariably morph into more — even when you're
not using your Web browser?
Are you frustrated by the fact that
many pop up spammers are advertising software to block
the exact type of messages they're sending? It's a high-tech
variation on a classic scam: Pop up spammers want your
money to fix the very problem they created.
Persistent and annoying, pop up spam
also is a signal that your home computer is open to
hackers. They could use this vulnerability to take over
your computer and install new programs; view, change,
or delete data; or create new accounts that give them
full access to your machine.
According to the Federal Trade Commission
(FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, you
can block unwanted pop up messages and better protect
your computer from hackers. It's as simple as turning
off the Microsoft Windows feature that allows pop up
messages, or installing and running a firewall. The
advantage of a firewall is that it prevents other types
of unauthorized access to your computer, beyond pop
up spam. Neither approach will stop pop up advertisements
sent to your browser by a Web page you are visiting.
Disabling Windows Messenger Service
Pop up spammers are exploiting a feature
of the Microsoft Windows operating systems known as
Messenger Service. Despite the name, Windows Messenger
Service doesn't have anything to do with instant messaging.
It is designed to provide users on a local- or wide-area
computer network with messages from the network administrator.
For example, a company's network administrator might
send a message to all its users that the company's network
will be shutting down in five minutes. If your home
computer is connected only to the Internet, you may
not have any practical uses for Windows Messenger Service.
If your computer is on a business or home network, however,
shutting off Messenger Service might not be the best
approach. Your network should be protected by a firewall.
Disabling the messenger service will
prevent the possibility 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.
Installing
and Running a Firewall
Another way to cut off pop up spam is to run a firewall
— software or hardware designed to block hackers
from accessing your computer and getting into your programs
and files.
A firewall is different from anti-virus
protection: Anti-virus software scans incoming communications
and files for troublesome files; a firewall helps make
you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications
from unauthorized sources. It's especially important
to run a firewall if you have high-speed Internet access
through a cable modem or a DSL (digital subscriber line)
connection.
Some recently released operating system
software (including Windows XP) comes with a built-in
firewall. Because it may be shipped in the "off"
mode, check your online "Help" feature for
specifics on turning it on and setting it up properly.
If your operating system doesn't include a firewall,
you can install separate firewall software that runs
in the background while you use your computer and surf
the Internet. Several free firewall software programs
are available on the Internet. (You can find one by
typing "free firewall" into your favorite
search engine.) Or you can buy a hardware firewall —
an external device that includes firewall software.
Like anti-virus software, a firewall needs to be updated
regularly to stay effective.
If you want to complain about a deceptive
pop up spam message, use the FTC's online complaint
form at www.ftc.gov.
Your complaint will be added to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel
database and made available to hundreds of law enforcement
and consumer protection agencies. Be sure your complaint
includes the name of the company or Web site advertised
in the pop up spam.
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