popup blocker

[Chris Smith]

I'm having the same problem, only all of the invading
popup ads are trying to sell me software to block those
kinds of ads. I've started responding by going to their
websites for an email address and then sending messages
threatening legal action. My justification is this: I own
my computer. I own all of the software on it. I own my
copy of XP. Therefore, any attempt to pass through my
firewall without my permission is trespassing and a
hacking attempt.

What is amazing to me is that, considering just how many
Microsoft customers are seriously PO'd about this,
Microsoft has remained strangely silent. This leads me to
believe that there is a profit motive for them which
prevents them from acting in the best interests of their
consumers. I loved XP when I first got this computer. But
in the past few months, it has turned into a nightmare.
Unless Microsft acts swiftly and surely in the interests
of its consumers, I will never again buy a Windows based
computer. I work on a Mac all day and I'm perfectly
comfortable in that environment. Linux, despite the hassle
of getting it setup properly, is beginning to look more
and more attractive.

>-----Original Message-----
>I have a popup blocker that works very well
>except for the popups that appear associated with
>Microsoft Internet Explorer.
>
>Is there any way to get rid of this annoyance?
>
>I get from four to seven popups every twenty minutes
>including one just this moment that says:"Stop Popups
>now - Microsoft Internet Explorer"
>
>Another example: "CashAndGroceries.com -Microsoft
>Internet Explorer"
>
>here's another: "Rent DVDs online - try Netflix for FREE -
>Microsoft Internet Explorer"
>
>Help!!
>Thanks
>
>
>
>.
>

[Shenan T. Stanley]

John DeWitt <> wrote:

> I have a popup blocker that works very well
> except for the popups that appear associated with
> Microsoft Internet Explorer.
>
> Is there any way to get rid of this annoyance?
>
> I get from four to seven popups every twenty minutes
> including one just this moment that says:"Stop Popups
> now - Microsoft Internet Explorer"
>
> Another example: "CashAndGroceries.com -Microsoft
> Internet Explorer"
>
> here's another: "Rent DVDs online - try Netflix for FREE -
> Microsoft Internet Explorer"

Chris Smith <> wrote:

> I'm having the same problem, only all of the invading
> popup ads are trying to sell me software to block those
> kinds of ads. I've started responding by going to their
> websites for an email address and then sending messages
> threatening legal action. My justification is this: I own
> my computer. I own all of the software on it. I own my
> copy of XP. Therefore, any attempt to pass through my
> firewall without my permission is trespassing and a
> hacking attempt.
>
> What is amazing to me is that, considering just how many
> Microsoft customers are seriously PO'd about this,
> Microsoft has remained strangely silent. This leads me to
> believe that there is a profit motive for them which
> prevents them from acting in the best interests of their
> consumers. I loved XP when I first got this computer. But
> in the past few months, it has turned into a nightmare.
> Unless Microsft acts swiftly and surely in the interests
> of its consumers, I will never again buy a Windows based
> computer. I work on a Mac all day and I'm perfectly
> comfortable in that environment. Linux, despite the hassle
> of getting it setup properly, is beginning to look more
> and more attractive.

John and Chris,

Microsoft has not been silent, and in fact, gave you the tools right in
Windows XP to stop some of the problems.
(Your built in Firewall..) Also, if your popup stopper was working well,
you would not be getting Internet Explorer popups. I would suggest you look
through the list at the site I give later in this message at some of the
better product choices out there. A lot of them are free.

Perhaps you should also read not only the web page I am about to send you,
but the stuff AFTER my signature. It will explain how you too can find
information such as this on the newsgroups and on the Internet. This
problem is widely known and there is even a knowledge base article on
Microsoft's web site explaining what is going on and how to block the
Messenger Service popups.

Advice on Popups and their elimination:

[url]http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#popups[/url]
or
[url]http://tinyurl.com/el9s[/url]

You may want to look over the whole page.

Here's what "Mike Nash" - a Microsoft representative - had to say when
asjked the question you are askig now. This was OVER a month ago, and in
March 2003, the same question was asked of another couple of Microsoft
Employees, whose answer was (at the time) to disable the messenger service.
(Keith Combs and Kai Axford) Eek. Well, you really need the firewall too.
Both articles can be found at:

[url]http://tinyurl.com/hftn[/url]
and
[url]http://tinyurl.com/hftq[/url]

(Shortened for convenience, they are Microsoft Sites..)

Host: Mike Nash (Microsoft)
Q: I have windows XP and I have been having those stupid messenger popups. I
have gone to the sites and they say that Microsoft is the one putting it
out. I don't believe it and would like to know if it is true. If it is how
can i get rid of it?
A: First, Microsoft is not the source of the Messenger spam that youre
talking about. Second, the quickest and easiest way to get rid of unwanted
Messenger popups with Windows XP is to enable Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF). There are more details, as well as instructions for getting rid of
pop in all types of deployment scenarios in Knowledge Base article 330904
([url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;330904[/url]). Directions
to enable ICF are located in Knowledge Base article 283673
([url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283673[/url]).

--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
How to use XPs Help and Support
[url]http://tinyurl.com/fltf[/url]

How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
[url]http://tinyurl.com/fkja[/url]

How do I go about posting an informative question?
[url]http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm[/url]

How to use Google
[url]http://www.google.com/help/basics.html[/url]
[url]http://tinyurl.com/fkmc[/url]
-------------------------

[Curt]

I use the free p/up blocker from this site
[url]http://www.gasanov.net/PopOops.htm[/url],
in addition to the google i.e. toolbar which has a built-in p/up blocker.
There's no conflict using these with the XP firewall.
Very pleased with both.

Curt.

[Shenan T. Stanley]

Debra <> wrote:

> Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services >
> Scroll down to messenger and disable it. That's all
> there is to it. This is not MS Messenger, btw.

While Debra is correct, you are NOT eliminating the problem, just
eliminating one symptom. If that makes you happy (to know the disease still
lurks under the surface, but you cannot see it) go on your happy way and
stop reading now..

You need to enable either your built in firewall or install and configure a
third party firewall. (the only people I KNOW cannot do the built in
firewall are you poor AOL users. AOL, in their genius, has futzed up some
works and the built in software doesn't work with AOL, you WILL have to get
a third party application and learn to use it - sorry - it's the price you
pay for going AOL, I guess. heh)

Advice on Popups and their elimination:

[url]http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#popups[/url]
or
[url]http://tinyurl.com/el9s[/url]

Advice on Firewalls:

[url]http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#firewalls[/url]
or
[url]http://tinyurl.com/el9u[/url]

You may want to look over the whole page.

More Information:

Here's what "Mike Nash" - a Microsoft representative - had to say when
asked the question you are askig now. This was OVER a month ago, and in
March 2003, the same question was asked of another couple of Microsoft
Employees, whose answer was (at the time) to disable the messenger service.
(Keith Combs and Kai Axford) Eek. Well, you really need the firewall too.
Both articles can be found at:

[url]http://tinyurl.com/hftn[/url]
and
[url]http://tinyurl.com/hftq[/url]

(Shortened for convenience, they are Microsoft Sites..)

Host: Mike Nash (Microsoft)
Q: I have windows XP and I have been having those stupid messenger popups. I
have gone to the sites and they say that Microsoft is the one putting it
out. I don't believe it and would like to know if it is true. If it is how
can i get rid of it?
A: First, Microsoft is not the source of the Messenger spam that youre
talking about. Second, the quickest and easiest way to get rid of unwanted
Messenger popups with Windows XP is to enable Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF). There are more details, as well as instructions for getting rid of
pop in all types of deployment scenarios in Knowledge Base article 330904
([url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;330904[/url]). Directions
to enable ICF are located in Knowledge Base article 283673
([url]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283673[/url]).

--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
How to use XPs Help and Support
[url]http://tinyurl.com/fltf[/url]

How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
[url]http://tinyurl.com/fkja[/url]

How do I go about posting an informative question?
[url]http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm[/url]

How to use Google
[url]http://www.google.com/help/basics.html[/url]
[url]http://tinyurl.com/fkmc[/url]
-------------------------