In the last two days I've seen a new kind of ad that isn't a traditional popup and seems to get in past my firewall settings. It is a screen called "Messenger Service" and only has the x in the upper right corner. It offers text (that can't be highlighted or copied, and has no URLs or hot links). It can't be pushed behind anything else, and until you click the x or "okay" (I have just x'ed it, who knows what the "okay" does!) it doesn't go away.

Just now there was a layering of three of them. I'd been away from the computer for a while, and I had minimized the IE screen. But I think the first time I saw it I didn't have any browser up at all. This didn't appear because of anything I did, it came on its own through some portal.

One says "Message from Freedome Enterprises to Opportunity Seeker" and is offering work, the ususal classifed stuff "$4000 a week" trash. It says to write down the URL and gives a phone number.

Another one said "Message from NetPopUp to You on. . ." with the date and time. Says it reaches millions of users, offers a URL and again the instructions to write it down.

The third one was for a weight loss program. Again, no copying or clicking. Clearly the only way they can get these through is if they are text only and no links to set off the firewall or popup software. Annoying as hell, and kind of creepy. I do use Yahoo Messenger, but it is never left on, I only check it once or twice a day for messages.

Anyone else seen any of these, have any answers as to how to block them?

SRS