How to put a stop to those annoying pop-up messages.

The Federal Trade Commission has released instructions on how to stop receiving the pop-up ads that are proliferating online.

But first, a little background. According to an article by The Associated Press, "The Windows Messanger pop-up was designed for use by system administrators to notify users about the network.

"Some advertisers have been using it to send internet pop-up ads as frequently as every 10 minutes. Windows warns it could be used to send malicious viruses."

In the wake of security issues and advertisers using the feature in Windows to push these pop-up ads, Microsoft suggests turning off the Messanger Service in Windows XP and 2000.

Here's how to "put a stop to the pop."

* Windows XP--

1. Click Start, then click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Administrative Tools.

3. Double-click Services.

4. Double-click Messenger.

5. In the Startup type list, choose Disabled.

6. Click Stop, then click OK.

* Windows 2000--

1. Click Start, point to Settings, the click Control Panel.

2. Double-click Administrative Tools.

3. Double-click Services.

4. Double-click Messenger.

5. In the Startup type list, choose Disabled.

6. Click Stop, then click OK.