It sounds as though you may have downloaded some software that includes SpyWare like Gator or Kazaa. Spyware tracks your surfing and pops up adds tailored to your surfing behavior. This can be fixed. Visit the PC Pitstop Web site, register—it's safe—and perform their test suite being careful to follow all instructions. They will guide you through several performance and security improvements and should find any SpyWare on your system.

You should also consider programs such as Ad-aware and WinPatrol. These will keep you out of trouble in the future.

If you have a broadband connection, you should also be running a personal firewall such as Kerio.

      - Mark