Pop-up and pop-under ads open a new window when people visit many popular Web sites, often littering the computer desktop with multiple browser screens. The advertisements are part of a growing strain of Web marketing that takes liberties with requested Web pages, browsers and e-mail in-boxes. To get rid of these adds Download and install FREE EZ Armor Security Software* provided by Computer Associates to Road Runner customers. You get FREE Anti-Virus protection, Firewall protection, Pop up Blockers, Anti-Spam, Anti-Spyware, product upgrades and updates, and web support*
Please note: You must have the latest version of Flash Player** to download EZ Armor Security Software* from Road Runner.
*Subject to terms and conditions. Road Runner reserves the right to discontinue any feature or offer at any time. EZ Armor Security Suite software must be downloaded from the Road Runner National site.
*Spam and Virus protection software not available on Macintosh computers.

Adware and spyware are hidden software programs that are installed on your computer without your knowledge along with free downloaded software. These programs display annoying pop-up adds (adware) and transmit user information (spyware) via the Internet to advertisers in exchange for the free software. Unfortunately, the usual antivirus and firewall programs can't protect you from adware and spyware. Antivirus apps won't detect these pests because they aren't technically viruses. And firewalls block only outgoing messages from adware and spyware; the components themselves remain deep within your PC. But fortunately, there is other software that can help you. Ad-aware* and Spybot Search and Destroy* are two good free products to try. For more information on Spyware and Adware visit the Spyware/Adware section of this site. Tip: Before downloading and installing a free application, look it up on one of several online spyware databases. Spychecker* and Cexx.org* are two such services.

Messenger Spam ads can appear on your Windows computer screen without warning when you least expect it, even if e-mail, chat, and your web browser are closed. This is done by spammers exploiting Windows Messaging, a service present by default on Windows NT/2000/XP machines. To remove the ability for anyone to pop-up these messages on your computer, you can disable the Messenger service. It can be turned back on any time. Please Note: Doing so may result in Windows not being able to alert you to some conditions. A list of circumstances when Windows will use the Messenger service to pop up informative windows may include things like print spooler, anti-virus, and event logger status messages.

Windows NT

1. Click Start ->Control Panel
2. Double Click Administrative Tools
3. Select Services-> Double-click on Messenger
4. In the Messenger Properties window, select Stop
5. Then choose Disable as the Startup Type
6. Click OK
   

Windows 2000

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

Windows XP

1. Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
2. Click Performance and Maintenance
3. Click Administrative Tools
4. Double click Services
5. Scroll down and highlight "Messenger"
6. Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties
7. Click the STOP button
8. Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
9. Click OK

For more information on the origins of messenger spam and how to handle it, read this Knowledge Base article 330904* on Microsoft's site.