Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.newusers (
More info?)
in addion to a good firewall/ virus protector/ try going to www.grc.com
run the "shoot the messenger"/"unplug and pray" etc also you can have your
ports probed"shields up" to see if you are open to any threats.. i have used
this site many times with good results..
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
here is a free firewall if you need it..as far as free ones go its one of
the best
"Bruce Chambers" wrote:
> Jay wrote:
> > Could someone with some pc knowledge please tell me the idiot guide steps for
> > me to prevent my pc having messenger service pop up's. I did this once
> > before in a previous set up, before kids decided to mangle etc.
> >
> > ta v much
> >
>
>
> Simply put: Install and enable a firewall.
>
> Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"
>
> 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?
>
> --
>
> 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
>