2J, here's a Microsoft website about Messenger Spam:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp Their recommendation is to turn on the Windows XP Firewall, which should work.
Another workaround is to turn off the Messenger Service. However, that may affect legitimate programs too, so it's not generally recommended by Microsoft. Here's how to do it:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel (or point to Settings, and then click Control Panel).
2. Double-click Administrative Tools.
3. Double-click Services.
4. Double-click Messenger.
5. In the "Startup type" list, choose Disabled.
6. Click Stop, and then click OK.
You know what, I figured out how to turn that off...but am reluctant to do so...I now have my XP firewall on, in addition to my McAfee...
Here is a question...when this happens again, I should be able to do a "control alt delete" and see if my messenger is the one they are using, right? If it's not...if it's just a pop-up add looking like one, it'll just say Internet Explorer...right? Like when I do "Control Alt Delete" right now, one of the applications says "Posting Comment-Microsoft Internet Explorer" for what I'm doing right now...
Does that make sense? I think I should be able to see what is happening when I do Control alt delete...