Copyright © 1997-2008 Elizabeth Boston, The Computer Lady

Dear Computer Lady,

 

For the past 2 months or so, I've been getting these text-only pop up messages, even when I don't actually have a web browser open.  I have a cable Internet connection, not dial up so I'm always connected to the Internet  Some of the messages that pop up say that my computer is wide open to the Internet  Is this true? And if so am I at risk for viruses/hackers? These particular ones are trying to sell me software to stop these unwanted messages, but they state that this is something that Microsoft had programmed into the software to allow this and it seems to me that there should be some kind of setting that I could change without actually spending money on some software.  

To give you an idea of what I'm talking about, here is a web site listed on one of the pop ups: http://www.messenger-stopper.com/ , There are also others trying to sell different products and the majority of them are from different porn web sites.  They always show the IP address they are coming from and I cannot continue working on what I was doing until I close the window.  It is very annoying and frustrating, but this is my computer and I don't feel I should have to pay someone to get this to stop.  Any suggestions???

 

Thank you, Jessica

 

 

Dear Jessica,

 

If you are getting these messages, not only is it annoying, but it also means that your computer is open to hackers! To test this, go to http://www.grc.com and run the "Shields Up" test.

 

The best and simplest way to stop this and protect yourself is to get a hardware firewall. I use a Linksys router, and I have NEVER gotten one of those messenger advertisements. The router goes between your cable modem and your computer, in fact, it will allow you to hook more than one computer up to your cable connection if you get a 4 port or 8 port model.

 

Yes, you will have to spend some money to protect yourself. In today's world, that is a fact of life. We all have to install Antivirus software to protect ourselves from viruses, this is the same type of thing. Your other options would be to buy software that would block the advertisements. It would not however, protect you from hackers. Or, you could go back to a dial up connection.

 

Elizabeth