Let's work on blocking those messages.
- Firewall
I do not see a firewall application installed. I am guessing that you are relying upon the Windows XP firewall. There are firewall applications that are free for personal use.
For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
Understanding and Using Firewalls
Test your Firewall - Please test your firewall and make sure it is working properly.
Test Firewall
- Windows Updates – be sure that you have all the critical Windows Updates installed.
There was an update that would turn off the Windows Messenger Service (not to be confused with Windows Messenger) and prevent these messages that you are now receiving. Visit Windows Updates. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
- This is link to Microsoft article which gives information for disabling the Windows Messenger Service
http://www.microsoft...e/stopspam.mspx