Mysterious Messages In Windows Xp

[Andrex]

The other day while I was connected, I received a couple of wierd messages from an unkwnown program called "Messenger" with some error like "could not connect" or whatever. I ignored them despite that was the first time I found error messages from an unknown application I never saw nor installed.

Today, when I returned to my PC in the middle of a movie, I found this at the top:

"Message from ORLANDO FLORIDA to ( IP ) on 01-03-2003
Today, January 12 2003, please write the winner number 9090. Call now and claim your prize, 001 3053717144. TAKE NOTE OF THE NUMBER BEFORE PRESS OK. Please have your number while you call. Thanks for being a memeber of our service."

I can ASSURE this is NOT (or should not) be related with WINDOWS MSN MESSENGER. It wasn't runing. I didn't even load it the day the message apperaed.

Now, this window may appear strange and surprise the dummie user, and he may even take the phone and call, adding a thousand dollars to his/her phone bill.
But for me, this is a serious warning. Not to mention how irritated I am.

I'm runing Windows XP.
If anyone has any ideas of who sent this message, how he/she did it, how he/she located my IP address, how the message got to the top of all windows and/or what program could be allowing this, please reply.

The last thing I want is messages from malicious users trying to fool ppl. The thing I hate most is the fact that Windows is clearly allowing something I never approved nor was noticed that could happen.

[zapjb]

Is your XP updated? Install & run Spybot Search & Destroy.

[RPerry]

001 (305)3717144

Funny part is, I am 15 miles south of Orlando, and thats not even the area code anymore(407) is and has been for quite a few years. Thats a Miami area code(i believe, things change fast) so if this is comming from some sort of program, its an old one

[Yusuke]

That comes from the Messenger service, which is sposed to be used to send messages about crashes and stuff to your administrator (if your at a business/corporation) or somethig to that effect, but it has been found to be exploitable and that is how you got that message...
To stop getting them, click the start button, than goto programs, administrative tools, than services and once that comes up, find the entry named Messenger and double click it, than where it says Startup type, pick disabled :)

[JackDem]

Excellent, I've been trying to get rid of these Messanger spam at work!

[CornerPocket]

Seems like we are never going to get clear of all this SPAMMING...what next <_<