FIX FOR MESSENGER POP UPS

[Joe]

As no one from microsft was willing to help. I found the
fix on Spybot. Here is the fix as it appears on the
spybot site.

I am not sure but you may not get the auto updates from
MS anymore, just just go to MS once in awhile and check
for new updates.

These are sent using the Messenger service integrated
into Windows 2000 and XP (try the 'net send' command to
see for yourself).
To disable the Messenger service, go to Start --> All
Programs --> Administrative Tools --> Component Services.
In Component Services, click on Services (Local), then on
the right side, find Messenger and disable it.
Note: not everyone will have Administrative Tools in the
Start menu. You need to make it visible under Taskbar and
Start Menu Properties (right-click on taskbar -->
Properties). The surest way to get to Component Services
is to enter %systemroot%\system32\com\comexp.msc into the
command line.

 

[Robert Moir]

As no one from microsft was willing to help.

The question about Messenger popups is asked and answered many times a day.
Just a few seconds scanning the list of posts would show that.

I found the
fix on Spybot. Here is the fix as it appears on the
spybot site.

I am not sure but you may not get the auto updates from
MS anymore, just just go to MS once in awhile and check
for new updates.

["cure" snipped]
Unluckily, the "answer" you tout only cures symptoms, not the actual
problem. Would you mind not repeating such bad information?

The correct fix for the problem is to install a firewall and configure it
correctly.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Joe;
Microsoft is unwilling to help?
Microsoft already provided the PROPER fix built in to Windows XP.
Your fix does NOTHING for the real problem.
It covers the symptom but the computer is STILL UNPROTECTED.

These ads are using Messenger Service.
Messenger Service is a valuable tool many use.
Like many tools, it can be exploited.

No need to pay for the fix.
For Messenger Service ads:
You need to install or enable a firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
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.

Internet Connection Firewall will not work if you have AOL.
AOL is not compatible with Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF)
If you have AOL, you should contact AOL and/or get a 3rd party
firewall:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/

Disable Messenger Service:
Start/Control Panel, click Administrative Tools, click Services.
Go down to "Messenger".
Right click "Messenger" and select Properties.
Then under Start-up select DISABLE
Click OK and follow prompts

 

[Myron]

Joe. This is not a fix. This is burrying your head in the sand.

If you're setting messenger service pop-ups then that means that you
computer is exposed to the Internet without a firewall-in place and
all your open TCP and UDP ports are open to the big wide Interent for
hackers to play with.

Disabling the windows messenger service does not shut down the exposed
ports and prevents the Windows operating system displaying systems
messages.

This topic is constantly being repeated in here.

Joe, INSTALL A FIREWALL!!!!!

 

[Myron]

Internet Connection Firewall will not work if you have AOL.
AOL is not compatible with Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF)

I think AOL actually block the necessary ports at their firewall or
routers, but all the other ports are left open. ]=:

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Please stop posting potentially harmful advice. What are you, a
hacker-wannabe? Why else would you be deliberately posting bad
advice? Are you trying to give people a false sense of security by
having them turn off what are, in effect, valid security warnings,
while still leaving their PCs open to potential exploitation?

Disabling the messenger service 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 service by acting as a security alert. The
true problem is the unsecured computer, and you're only
advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. How is
this helpful?

Equivalent Scenario 1: Somewhere in a house, a small fire starts,
and sets off the smoke alarm. The home-owner, not immediately seeing
any fire/smoke, complains about the noise of the smoke detector, so
you tell him to remove the smoke detector's battery and go back to
sleep, or whatever else he was doing.

Equivalent Scenario 2: You over-exert your shoulder at work or
play, causing bursitis. After weeks of annoying and sometimes
excruciating pain whenever you try to reach over your head, you go to
a doctor and say, while demonstrating the motion, "Doc, it hurts when
I do this." The doctor, being as helpful as you are, replies, "Well,
don't do that."

The only true way to secure the PC, short of permanently
disconnecting from the Internet is to install and *properly* configure
a firewall; just installing one and letting it's default settings
handle things is no good. Unfortunately, this does require one to
learn a little bit more about using a computer than used to be
necessary.


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



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

 

[Eric Warnke]

Greetings --

Please stop posting potentially harmful advice. What are you, a
hacker-wannabe? Why else would you be deliberately posting bad
advice? Are you trying to give people a false sense of security by
having them turn off what are, in effect, valid security warnings,
while still leaving their PCs open to potential exploitation?

Disabling the messenger service is a "head in the sand" approach
to computer security.

Turning off unnecessary services *is* a legitimate approach to
security. Unless you are part of a workgroup where you need to
be able to messange a PC ( not a user ) there is little or no use
for this service. Alerts are still logged and seen by the user.
Every open port on your PC is a waiting invitation for an
attack and a firewall is not always the answer.

I have not seen any legitimate message come though the messanger
service in years. If and when my smoke alarm starts using net
send to alert me that my house is burning down I'll switch it
back on.

 

[Robert Moir]

Eric Warnke wrote:

Turning off unnecessary services *is* a legitimate approach to
security.

*not* drinking paint is a good way to ensure your good health for years to
come but it does nothing to improve how safe your car is.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Then you've apparently had very little experience supporting
corporate LANs and enterprise or network level anti-virus solutions.
Why does your signature suggest that you provide support for
businesses?


Bruce Chambers

--
Help us help you:



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