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Windows XP Home messenger popups are not legitimate

By JOHN TORRO
Published October 17, 2005

Q. I installed Windows XP Home and get several popups for corrective action that I am unsure about the authenticity of. They all appear under a Messenger Service popup and read in part: 1 urgent message from msoft buffer overflow link to www.updatewindows.org to download patch; 2) Stop-windows requires immediate atten: 51 ontech system errors download repair registry pro from www.fix-scan.com 3) buffer overflow link to www.updatewindows.org to download patch; 4) Critical system error link to www.msregistrycleaner.com to download patch. Are these legitimate repair sites or are they something else? Should I go to these links and download the patches? How do I get rid of these popups if they are not legitimate?

A. These are definitely not legitimate, and in my opinion should be illegal. The combination of Ad-aware, Spybot and the Microsoft Antispyware beta, along with turning on the Internet Explorer built-in popup blocker, will help prevent some of these popups. But the pests who create the popups always seem to be a step ahead of the current solutions, and some still will get through. You need to be very careful, making sure you close these windows without inadvertently clicking on whatever action they're trying to trick you into.

Q. You have said several times that if you are using Windows XP with Service Pack 2, it's best to use the Microsoft firewall instead of Zone Alarm. The only problem I see with that is that it offers no outgoing protection. Am I wrong? I would love to use the Windows firewall, as you said - to be sure, it's simpler - but there doesn't seem to be much protection.

A. You are correct in that Microsoft does not do packet-level filtering of outgoing traffic, just incoming and any application on your PC that attempts to establish a listening port. Do products like Zone Alarm give more complete protection? Yes. But for most PC users, the extra complexity and the inevitable upgrade incompatibilities may not be worth it. Personally, I use just the Microsoft firewall on all my PCs and have never had any problems. I also think Microsoft wanted to make sure its firewall wasn't complicated to the point that some users would turn it off rather than deal with the extra attention a full two-way firewall requires.

Q. I have a 6-month-old Dell monitor that changes to different shades of blue and then to black at various times using different software. All other colors seem to be close to their normal hues. I called Dell support and was told that this problem was because of a corrupt operating system and was told to reload Windows XP Service Pack, and the problem should disappear. I do not want to reload any operating system and go through the rigors of reloading drivers and software. I have checked the obvious issues with the monitor, drivers, heat, usage, power cord, outlet voltage, outside magnetic influences, CPU cable, etc., with no success. This problem occurs in Safe Mode, as well. Do I have a defective monitor or could a corrupt operating system be causing the problem?

A. Over the years, I have never seen this be anything other than a monitor issue. You've already done the sanity check for the obvious issues such as loose connections. If you haven't already and you're comfortable opening your PC, try reseating the video adapter card (assuming that it is a separate card and not built into the motherboard). Rather than rolling the dice by reinstalling XP SP2, I would borrow a monitor from a friend and test your system with the different monitor. Make sure there is nothing close to the monitor that would contribute any type of electrical disturbance (lights, speakers, etc.). Also, make sure you try it in different electrical outlets. If it turns out to be the monitor, this test should be enough proof for Dell to justify replacing your faulty monitor.

[Last modified October 14, 2005, 08:58:03]