Scumware is one of the coined words used to represent parasites such as Adware and Spyware with attached Malware, a malicious virus or piece of spyware. This scum gets into computers often through open ports in the computer system. Open ports allow messenger service ads (in a gray box trimmed in light blue) to pop-up on the screen. An open port is like a hole in your sock, the longer you wait to repair the hole, the larger the hole will become. In the case of the open port, until you block the port it will allow debris into your computer. The two main ports through which scum enters are TCP 135, 139, 455 and 137 and the UDP 135, 137 and 138.

For Windows XP, the best method for closing these ports is upgrading to XP SP2, which shuts off the messenger service and activates the firewall. If the ports used by messenger service ads are closed, then the pop-up ads cannot enter through your browser. You can overcome the pop-ups, so you can enjoy the Internet without the interference.

There are a number of spyware removal products available, some you can get free and others you must pay to download and use. The problem is not every spyware removal product works well and none of the removal products can remove every piece of spyware, which makes its way into your computer attached to a pop-up. Some pop-ups, containing malware, which is one or more viruses, spyware or adware can do their damage quickly. Therefore, a real-time security program needs to be working on every computer and a spyware removal tool run after every session on the Internet.

The solution to the problem is finding a good product to stop pop-ups with malware attached from entering your computer and this is not an easy task. Even if you find the best product on the market, knowledge is your most important line of defense to any type of threat on the Internet, like: phishing, viruses, scams and a lot of other threats.

Meanwhile, everyone can do a lot to fight against pop-ups of any type by taking the precautions necessary. One of the ways to do this is with a good Internet browser other than Internet Explorer. A good browser fights pop-ups with built in pop-blockers. A good browser and a good pop-up blocker and can prevent most scumware and make you feel much more secure when browsing the Internet.