Cookies

A cookie management package is the best first line of defense. You can also tell your browser that you don't want cookies, or to alert attempts to place a cookie. (Or if you use your cookie management software to accept cookies selectively, tell your browser to warn you before accepting cookies.) If you're using a major browser numbered below 4.0 it probably only gives you the option to refuse each cookie at the time it is pushed at you: you have to keep saying no every time.

On Netscape Communicator ,go to Edit, then Preferences, then Advanced, click on Never accept cookies (or Warn me before accepting a cookie).

For MS-IE: View, Internet Options, Advanced, scroll down to Security, Cookies, Disable all cookie use; alternatively: Right click IE shortcut, select Properties, select Advanced, scroll down to Cookies, select options.

Your browser may be different: it may not support cookies, or it may not allow you to stop them. Even if it does, you may have to clickon cancel each time a web site wants to push a cookie on you. (Some set several per page.)

One method that works with some browsers (such as Netscape) is making the cookies file read-only (right click, choose properties) or creating a directory of that name.

methods for stopping cookies permanently under Windows, but haven't tried them ourselves.

For MS-IE, delete the following entry in the Registry: [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Cache\Special Paths\Cookies] Next reboot and delete the WINDOWS\COOKIES directory.
For Netscape delete the following entry in the Registry: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Netscape\Netscape Navigator\Cookies] "Cookie File"="C:\\DECODER\\Netscape\\Cookies.txt" then delete the COOKIES.TXT file.
A Microsoft support article states that even if you try to delete cookie files, they may remain.

You may have either spyware/adware on your computer or they may be spamming your messenger port.
WinXP has several vulnerabilities in its open ports. You need to get adAware and remove any crap, then get a nice firewall and block your messenger ports.

You can get both for free (or very inexpensive for the pro versions).

Ad Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/

Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp

I use both and never get any popups. I also use the Mozilla browser, which has an option to disallow the opening of windows without permission.

Mozilla
http://www.mozilla.org/

** remove any spaces from pasted urls **

BTW, cookies have very little to do with popups.
Most cookies are very useful toyou and make browsing nicer by having you logged in already to sites like yahoo and such. Just disable third party cookies in the preferences of your browser of choice. Those third party cookies are used for tracking and advertising.

Set Up a filter or a screen that stops the spam loaded cookies that are like Trojan Horses.
RIVER FREIGHT

Hi Wayne,

Pop-up adds are NOT controlled or restricted by cookies.

As stated in other answers, you may need to disable Windows Messenger to stop some pop-ups from coming through.

My best recommendation to stop browser (IE) related pop-ups, is to switch browsers to Mozilla.
www.mozilla.org
Mozilla's built-in pop-up blocker is very effective.

Alternately, there are free-ware pop-up stoppers:

http://tinyurl.com/6snm

http://www.bayden.com/

http://tinyurl.com/hdvo

http://www.southbaypc.com/NoAds/

http://www.panicware.com/product_downloads.html

http://ranfo.com/popki.html

http://security.kolla.de/

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

http://www.jd5000.net/

Chas