Background

Ads and pop-ups may come from the Web site you're viewing, as well as from your browser's cache, third-party toolbars, or local programs. In all of these cases, the ads and pop-ups go around the ad blocking and pop-up stopping software. If you have the Accelerator's ad blocking or pop-up stopping feature turned on, then the next step is to identify the source of the ads or pop-ups.

Clear your browser's cache (temporary Internet files)

The Temporary Internet Files folder contains a kind of travel record of the items you have seen, heard, or downloaded from the Web, including images, ads, pop-ups, Web pages and cookies. You may be viewing previously stored ads or pop-ups. <Click here to learn how to clear your browser's cache>

Rid your system of spyware or adware

If you get pop-up windows no matter what sites you visit or even if you're not on the Web at all, you could have spyware, adware, or other software on your computer that's launching pop-ups. To stop these pop-ups, you will have to identify the software, and then remove it.

Most popular anti-virus products now include adware and spyware scanning. For example, the latest versions of McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus, and Trend Micro PC-Cillin now scan for adware and spyware. Also, some Internet service providers (ISPs) are introducing protection software to scan for adware and spyware.

There is software specifically designed for detecting spyware and adware, and helping you remove it. Popular programs like Ad-aware and SpyBot can be found at www.download.con Freeware versions are available for use by individuals at home.

Update your operating system with the latest Microsoft service packs.

Microsoft has improved security over the years and in some cases added new functionality to deal with adware. For example, Windows XP SP 2 suppresses unsolicited downloads of ActiveX controls, which are a popular vehicle for adware. You may want to install Windows XP SP 2 and see if that helps.

Windows Messenger Service pop-ups

Windows messenger service windows resemble Windows Dialog boxes (with "Messenger Service" in the title bar), but they are not browser windows. The Messenger service is not related to your Web browser. You may receive an Internet advertisement in a Messenger service window. Windows XP SP1 (and higher) and most personal firewall programs block unsolicited inbound requests to the Windows Messenger. If you're seeing Windows Messenger boxes and you do not have XP or personal firewall software, you may work around this issue by turning off the Messenger service. Follow these steps:

Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

Double-click Administrative Tools.

Double-click Services.

Double-click Messenger.

In the Startup type drop-down list, select Disabled.

Click Stop, and then click OK.

If none of these options apply to you, please report the problem to Customer Support so it can be investigated.