messenger service

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

i recently installed windows xp and ever since i have had
this pop up called messenger service that invades the
screen and any time - on or off line. how do i get rid of
it?

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

If the title bar reads as MESSENGER SERVICE, then it the famous Messenger SPAM. Enable the Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP:

1. Open Network Connections
2. Click the Dial-up, LAN or High-Speed Internet connection that you want to protect, and then, under Network Tasks, click Change settings of this connection.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Internet Connection Firewall, select the Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.

This blocks the TCP ports responsible for Messenger data tranmissions and prevents Pop-ups.

[More Information]
Messenger Service of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/defau [...] -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 [...] opspam.asp


--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

The Parasite Fight - Quick Fix Protocol:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

------------------------------------------------
"peanut" <bad6370@classicnet.net> wrote in message news:14ff401c445b1$ffd40730$a501280a@phx.gbl...
i recently installed windows xp and ever since i have had
this pop up called messenger service that invades the
screen and any time - on or off line. how do i get rid of
it?

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

Greetings --

This type of spam has become quite common over the past year or
so, 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 most definitely open to other threats, such as the Blaster,
Welchia, and Sasser Worms that still haunt the Internet. 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/defau [...] -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 [...] opspam.asp

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

If you're using AOL, you'll either need to find a 3rd party
firewall that is compatible with AOL, or switch to a real ISP that is
compatible with the real Internet. This is because AOL is an on-line
content provider that ignores international Internetworking standards
in favor of its own proprietary products, and has deliberately made
its connection software incompatible with both WinXP's built-in
firewall and WinXP's Internet Connection Sharing feature. AOL's
proprietary connection applet is deliberately designed to preclude
your setting/adjusting any of its properties, to include
enabling/disabling WinXP's ICF and ICS.

Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure UDP ports
135, 137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are _all_ blocked.
You may also disable Inbound NetBIOS (NetBIOS over TCP/IP). You'll
have to follow the instructions from firewall's manufacturer for the
specific steps.

You can test your firewall at:

Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/v [...] JEIMXQKCDT

Security Scan - Sygate Online Services
http://www.sygatetech.com/

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


"peanut" <bad6370@classicnet.net> wrote in message
news:14ff401c445b1$ffd40730$a501280a@phx.gbl...
> i recently installed windows xp and ever since i have had
> this pop up called messenger service that invades the
> screen and any time - on or off line. how do i get rid of
> it?

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

I've been using Norton products for years and they all
are easy to install and configure. I would not recommend
them if they were otherwise. All the "free" products I tried
were not as effective as Norton.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Tom" <noway@nothere.com> wrote in message:
news:%23lOTqUbREHA.1392@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
|
|
| Please do not offer others who have no clue to what these warnings are, to
| use a program that can screw up a system beyond help, and is hard to
| configure for the novice! Norton does more harm than good, and is very
| invasive in just about any operating system.
|
| Advice to peanut, don't spend money on item you can get for free, like Zone
| Alarm, and AVG anti-virus.
|