USA Today: FTC Will tackle pop-up windows

At least Michael Powell is doing something right
___________________________________________________________________-

FTC clamps down on stealth pop-ups
By Jayne O'Donnell, USA TODAY

The Federal Trade Commission is expected to announce restrictions Thursday on the computer scam artists responsible for most of the unauthorized pop-up ads that beleaguer personal computer users.
The targeted ads use Microsoft's Windows Messenger Service. The ads, in the form of text boxes, can appear any time a user is logged into a computer — during word processing, e-mail or any other program. They are distinguished from legitimate pop-up ads that are purchased, like other advertising, from Web sites by their lack of graphics. (Related graphic: See what the bogus pop-ups look like)

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2003-11-05-spam_x.htm

what a frigging surprise :eyes:

But I forgot. How do you? I heard it wasn't really needed.

Windows 2000
Click Start-> Settings-> Control Panel-> Administrative Tools->Services
Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK


Windows XP Home
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
Click Performance and Maintenance
Click Administrative Tools
Double click Services Scroll
down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK


Windows XP Professional
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
Click Administrative Tools
Click Services
Double click Services Scroll
down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK


Windows NT
Click Start ->Control Panel
Double Click Administrative Tools
Select Services-> Double-click on Messenger
In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop,
Then choose Disable as the Startup Type
Click OK

Windows 98 & ME
Windows Messenger Service cannot be disabled