Pop ups

[gazzawazza]

Can anyone explain in layman's terms how to stop pop ups please? I get them even when I'm not connected to the net (I'm on ntl broafband) and they're always asking, 'Want to stop pop ups like this?'

Say for instance I'm playing a game, suddenly one pops up and the game freezes...

[j2buttonsw]

Just because you are not using internet explorer doesn't mean that you aren't connected to the internet: you are! You can buy products like popup-stopper, you can run programs like adaware (which detects spyware which connects to the internet without your permission) or you can unplug your modem when you are playing games. I would try adaware ( http://www.lavasoft.com ) first then delete all the spyware.

[cupra]

I have heard rumours that the new Google Toolbar has a pop up stopper built in.....

[anthomson]

Sounds like it might be admin alerts ( a facility built in to Windows to allow network administrators to send messages to network users - but now widely exploited by spammers ) - to disable you need to disable the messenger service in your PC services. ( Services can be found in Control Panel.Administrative Tools ). Alternatively install a personnel firewall - this is a good idea when you are on broadband anyway.

[heardy]

i agree with anthomson, it sounds like these are messager pop ups. if you follow anthomson's instructions you will see a list of services running. scroll down to messanger, then right click on it and go to properties, change the startup type to disabled, and click on the stop button. ok out of it, and that should sort it out.

[icecold]

the best thing ive done it to disable auto complete and not go on any sites that might have pop us lurking

[gazzawazza]

Many thanks everyone, just for the record, I followed anthomson and heardy's advice and the problem has disappeared, so once again thanks a lot!!!