Wasn't talking about the "popup ads".....but rather the little gray message boxes that your server administrator sends you from time to time to remind you of network updates :) Some folks have figured out how to exploit it. You can disable Messenger Service (not MSN, but windows messenger service) to stop it or install a firewall. I've searched for spyware....have none :) This latest issue is relatively new. I discussed this adnauseum on another thread. Those on work networks finally understood what I was talking about. And it's "Hell, maam" :)