"MSN Messenger is trying to act as a server"

My firewall (ZoneAlarm) comes up with an Alert to the effect that "MSN
Messenger is trying to act as a server" and prompting me to either Allow
or Deny. What am I to make of this warning?

Leo

Greetings Leo,

This is pretty normal -- you can block it if you really wish (it will still work, but some
functionality like voice conversations, etc. may be impaired).
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2005 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.

"Leo Kerner" <l.kerner@sympatico.ca> wrote in message news:421A4803.231F6062@sympatico.ca...
> My firewall (ZoneAlarm) comes up with an Alert to the effect that "MSN
> Messenger is trying to act as a server" and prompting me to either Allow
> or Deny. What am I to make of this warning?
>
> Leo
>

whether you allow or deny depends on the following question:
Are you using Messenger at the moment, and is somebody online trying to
reach you (e.g. send you a file, voice or audio transmission) ?

if you are not using Messenger at the moment, then choose Deny.
if you opened a conversation window with a friend, and they specifically
stated that a file is being sent to you, when the ZoneAlarm prompt
popped up, then choose Allow. the same is true if they specifically
indicated that they want to start a voice or video conversation with
you, when the ZA prompt popped up.

if you have a conversation window open with a friend(s), but nobody
specifically stated that a file is being sent to you (or specifically
indicated the desire to start a voice or video conversation), when the
ZoneAlarm prompt popped up, then choose Deny.

generally speaking, the same is true with ZoneAlarm as is true with
Email (or even with packages delivered to your doorstep). if you don't
know where it is from, and nobody you know specifically stated that a
package is being sent to you, then the safest thing to do is Not open,
Not execute it, and Not allow it entry into your home or PC.

you do not need to allow server rights in ZoneAlarm in order to exchange
text messages in Messenger.


Leo Kerner wrote:
> My firewall (ZoneAlarm) comes up with an Alert to the effect that "MSN
> Messenger is trying to act as a server" and prompting me to either Allow
> or Deny. What am I to make of this warning?
>
> Leo
>

thanks...

JW wrote:

> whether you allow or deny depends on the following question:
> Are you using Messenger at the moment, and is somebody online trying to
> reach you (e.g. send you a file, voice or audio transmission) ?
>
> if you are not using Messenger at the moment, then choose Deny.
> if you opened a conversation window with a friend, and they specifically
> stated that a file is being sent to you, when the ZoneAlarm prompt
> popped up, then choose Allow. the same is true if they specifically
> indicated that they want to start a voice or video conversation with
> you, when the ZA prompt popped up.
>
> if you have a conversation window open with a friend(s), but nobody
> specifically stated that a file is being sent to you (or specifically
> indicated the desire to start a voice or video conversation), when the
> ZoneAlarm prompt popped up, then choose Deny.
>
> generally speaking, the same is true with ZoneAlarm as is true with
> Email (or even with packages delivered to your doorstep). if you don't
> know where it is from, and nobody you know specifically stated that a
> package is being sent to you, then the safest thing to do is Not open,
> Not execute it, and Not allow it entry into your home or PC.
>
> you do not need to allow server rights in ZoneAlarm in order to exchange
> text messages in Messenger.
>
> Leo Kerner wrote:
> > My firewall (ZoneAlarm) comes up with an Alert to the effect that "MSN
> > Messenger is trying to act as a server" and prompting me to either Allow
> > or Deny. What am I to make of this warning?
> >
> > Leo
> >

thanks...

"Jonathan Kay [MVP]" wrote:

> Greetings Leo,
>
> This is pretty normal -- you can block it if you really wish (it will still work, but some
> functionality like voice conversations, etc. may be impaired).
> ____________________________________________
> Jonathan Kay
> Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
> All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2005 Jonathan Kay.
> You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
>
> "Leo Kerner" <l.kerner@sympatico.ca> wrote in message news:421A4803.231F6062@sympatico.ca...
> > My firewall (ZoneAlarm) comes up with an Alert to the effect that "MSN
> > Messenger is trying to act as a server" and prompting me to either Allow
> > or Deny. What am I to make of this warning?
> >
> > Leo
> >