Unwanted ads

[M Wilhite]

Not sure if this is the right newsgroup, but I am having
alot of trouble with pop-up ads that originate with
Microsoft's blessing. I especially get some that only
show a blank window with the address
being, "www.qksrv.net". Is there a way to get rid of
these or is it impossible? I am not sure if it is from a
program I have on the computer or is it embedded through
Windows. It is having an affect on my time on-line and
very annoying. Any help or info would be very
appreciated. Thanks, Mike Wilhite

[Perdita X. Dream]

You need a firewall. You can either turn on the native one or - for complete
all-round protection - you need to purchase third party protection (I use
Zone Alarm Pro - they have a cut down freeware version which can be
downloaded from www.zonelabs.com). Some folk will tell you to turn off the
Messenger Service (nothing to do with Windows/MSN Messenger) but this is
like sweeping your bills under the rug. You will forget about them (out of
sight is out of mind) but they are still there and the consequences could be
serious if you don't deal with them. Buy a third party firewall (it is more
flexible as it can be configured) and set it to block ports 137-139 and 245
(there may be others, but I don't know of them). This will also prevent
spyware from 'phoning home'.

--
Perdita X. Dream

Please help us to help you
http://groups.google.com
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm.
Please note that the reply address is fake.
Keep all posts to the groups as private requests for assistance
(i.e. email/IM) cannot be acknowledged. Thank you.

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

These ads are not "with Microsoft's blessing".
These ads are using Messenger Service.
Messenger Service is a valuable tool many use.
Like many tools, it can be exploited.

No need to pay for the fix.
For Messenger Service ads:
You need to install or enable a firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
Disabling Messenger Service can be a good idea, but it does not solve
the real problem.
The ads are not the real problem, the ads are only a symptom.
The real problem is open ports that allow unwanted traffic into the
computer.
Disabling Messenger does nothing for the open ports.
The firewall controls the traffic.

Internet Connection Firewall will not work if you have AOL.
AOL is not compatible with Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF)
If you have AOL, you should contact AOL and/or get a 3rd party
firewall.

Disable Messenger Service:
Start/Control Panel, click Administrative Tools, click Services.
Go down to "Messenger".
Right click "Messenger" and select Properties.
Then under Start-up select DISABLE
Click OK and follow prompts

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html

"M Wilhite" <sho...@goldrush.com> wrote in message
news:064001c3557d$2930e8d0$a401...@phx.gbl...

[┊]

"Perdita X. Dream" wrote in message

> serious if you don't deal with them. Buy a third party firewall (it is
more
> flexible as it can be configured) and set it to block ports 137-139
and 245
> (there may be others, but I don't know of them). This will also
prevent
> spyware from 'phoning home'.

Are you able to point to a tutorial that will show me how to block
certain ports using ZoneAlarm (free version) please?

[Perdita X. Dream]

Try the Zone Alarm site. Their technical support is excellent.