Is this a dodgy site?

Update 2

It is still there - it pops up with a bing now - its either scared or angry.

Ed - the programme is embedded in msconfig, startup and rewrites itself every boot-up - if you can e-mail that programme I would be very grateful.

Trev

Done

You could give this a whirl....
http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk/http://bughunter.it-mate.co.uk/

Try googling toolbarcop. There is a lot of good info at castlecops.

I use Avast anti-virus software on my laptop (http://www.avast.comwww.avast.com) Theres a free version of it to download for home use - since getting my laptop in October 2005, Ive had ONE warning about a virus message, nothing else.

It also runs a boot-time scan when you first install it, so when you next turn your PC on, itll run a scan as part of the booting process, find any crud in your system and get rid of it.

Trevor,

I think Ive had that! If I have, Ive in fact had 4 different companies version of the sods!

The message box uses the (normally redundant) network messaging program (used by admins to inform about updates/repairs to linked computers.) that comes with Windows since NT.

Other than that and its influence on the registry theres probably nothing wrong with your registry.

Hope this is of use here. Quoting MS help:
Stop receiving pop-up ads that have the title Messenger Service If advertisements open on your computer in a window titled Messenger Service, your system might not be secure. Although the name is similar, these messages€”which are sometimes called messenger spam€”are not related to Windows Messenger, MSN Messenger, or other instant messaging programs.

Disabling instant messaging programs is not necessary and will not prevent Messenger service spam. To help protect your computer, you should enable Windows Firewall (or a firewall of your choice) and also make sure that the Messenger service feature in Windows XP is disabled.

To disable the Messenger service feature in Windows XP

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group in order to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.

Open Services in Administrative Tools.
Double-click Messenger.
In the Services list, double-click Messenger.
In the Startup type list, click Disabled.
Click Stop, and then click OK.

Ceri; Exactly, to the letter.

Ed; scan log sent - I await your reply.

Woody; Thanks, I will work my way thro those progs after I have sorted this.

Trying Ceris advice now......

And thanks to everyone for their input

Trev:uhoh:

Sorry to be a bore, but when accessing user accounts - to find admin tools - there is another user account called ASP.NET with a password. Is this normal?

BTW Ceri - instructions AOK and hopefully it has worked. Many thanks again.

Trev

ASP.NET is indeed a seperate user account. Leave that one alone, it is fine.

Ceri I am fairly sure that if you have service pack 2 for XP the the messenger service is automatically disabled.

Trev - you have email.