spencer

Distinguished
Apr 29, 2004
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Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

Whenever my computer is on, i get random pop-ups titled "Messenger Service."
They do not seem to cause any problems at all, but they are just a pain to X
them off. They come at about 10 an hours. I have anf get no virus's etc
etc. How can I stop this?

THANKS
--
spence
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

spencer wrote:
> Whenever my computer is on, i get random pop-ups titled "Messenger Service."
> They do not seem to cause any problems at all, but they are just a pain to X
> them off. They come at about 10 an hours. I have anf get no virus's etc
> etc. How can I stop this?
>
> THANKS


This type of spam has become quite common over the couple of
years, and unintentionally serves as a valid security "alert." It
demonstrates that you haven't been taking sufficient precautions while
connected to the Internet. Your data probably hasn't been compromised
by these specific advertisements, but if you're open to this exploit,
you may well be open to other threats, such as the Blaster Worm that
swept across the Internet last year and the currently active Sasser
Worm. Install and use a decent, properly configured firewall.
(Merely disabling the messenger service, as some people recommend,
only hides the symptom, and does little or nothing to truly secure
your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" the security
gap represented by these messages is particularly foolish.

Messenger Service of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement
Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer
security. The real problem is not the messenger service pop-ups;
they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as
a security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and
you've been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this
helpful?

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.


To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

Spence;
For Messenger Service ads:
You need to install or enable a firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
Disabling Messenger Service can be a good idea, but it does not solve the
real problem.
The ads are not the real problem, the ads are only a symptom.
The real problem is open ports that allow unwanted traffic into the
computer.
Disabling Messenger does nothing for the open ports.
The firewall controls the traffic.

Also see:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/security.htm

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"spencer" <smindich@tribune.com> wrote in message
news:74DA7A36-97C7-4BAB-A340-EF8E2A5C0943@microsoft.com...
> Whenever my computer is on, i get random pop-ups titled "Messenger
> Service."
> They do not seem to cause any problems at all, but they are just a pain to
> X
> them off. They come at about 10 an hours. I have anf get no virus's etc
> etc. How can I stop this?
>
> THANKS
> --
> spence
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

From: "spencer" <smindich@tribune.com>

| Whenever my computer is on, i get random pop-ups titled "Messenger Service."
| They do not seem to cause any problems at all, but they are just a pain to X
| them off. They come at about 10 an hours. I have anf get no virus's etc
| etc. How can I stop this?
|
| THANKS
| --
| spence

Disable the "messenger" NT Service.

Execute;
%windir%\system32\services.msc

However, it shows that your PC is exposing MS Networking to the Internet.

If you are on Broadband Internet, get a Cable/DSL Router such as the Linksys BEFSR41. It
will help block NetBIOS pop-ups. To completely block NetBIOS and other forms of MS
Networking, as always, I suggest block both TCP and UDP ports 135 ~ 139 and 445 on *any* SHO
Router.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (More info?)

spencer wrote:
> Whenever my computer is on, i get random pop-ups titled
> "Messenger Service." They do not seem to cause any problems
> at all, but they are just a pain to X them off. They come
> at about 10 an hours. I have anf get no virus's etc etc.
> How can I stop this?
>
> THANKS
> --
> spence

If you want to get rid of the pop-ups either install Service
Pack 2 or start running a software firewall. Take a look at
this article for more info:

Messenger Service Spam
http://www.spywareguide.com/txt_messengerspam.html

Free firewalls

Zone Alarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Sygate Personal Firewall
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

Kerio Personal Firewall
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Good luck

Nepatsfan