I have a few machines with public IP addresses. Every week I tend to get these pop up messeges that are directed to the users IP address. These are not internet explorer pop ups like when you browse a site or something. They are like the one's you use within Window's to send a console messege. Are they from legitimate companys? How can I trace them and stop them. Is this legal for them to do this?

Thanks

I know exactly what your talking about. I've gotten a couple of those my self in the last week or two. They are a new wave of pop up adds, you don't even have to have web browser open for them to occure. I'm not sure if there is a way to stop them or not. I had seen an article on them awhile ago, there was a big stink saying that there infringing on some kind of privacy law or something like that, and that they may not even be able to use them (but I guess that didn't work)

They are using the built in messaging function. You can disable this under Control Panel->Administrative Tools->Services
It is the Messenger service, just stop it. Then go into Properties and change Startup Type to Disabled.

DISBALE that WINDOWS function under SERVICES, as basically EVERYONE should, since most HOME and a few commercial users
actually use it.