Getting desktop SPAM

[Dan Calic]

Hi,
How is it possible to eliminate the SPAM I keep getting on my desktop?
I have unchecked Windows Messenger in Windows Components, however I keep
getting a prompt to install a newer version of WM every time I boot.

Running XP Pro/Office 2003 Pro/IE 6.0 sp1

- Dan

 

[Malke]

Hi,
How is it possible to eliminate the SPAM I keep getting on my desktop?
I have unchecked Windows Messenger in Windows Components, however I
keep getting a prompt to install a newer version of WM every time I
boot.

Running XP Pro/Office 2003 Pro/IE 6.0 sp1

This isn't coming from the Windows Messenger program. It's coming from
the messenger *service*, which can be used in large organizations to
send a message to all the workstations. It is totally unnecessary for
home users. This is a two-part process: 1) Open up Control Panel and
double-click Administrative Tools, then double-click Services. Scroll
down to the Messenger service, double-click it to get its Properties.
Stop the service and disable it. 2) This is the really important part.
You need to get a firewall in place. XP has a built-in firewall, which
isn't the best but it is better than nothing. Read about it in XP's
Help & Support. Or try a free program like ZoneAlarm.

Malke

 

[Plato]

How is it possible to eliminate the SPAM I keep getting on my desktop?

http://www.bootdisk.com/xptop10.htm#3

 

[Jeffrey Struyk - MVP]

Hi,
How is it possible to eliminate the SPAM I keep getting on my desktop?
I have unchecked Windows Messenger in Windows Components, however I keep
getting a prompt to install a newer version of WM every time I boot.

Running XP Pro/Office 2003 Pro/IE 6.0 sp1

- Dan

Windows Messenger is not the same thing as the Messenger Service
(which it sounds like you have disabled). Windows Messenger is an
instant messaging program. When active, the icon resides in the
notification area. It will prompt you when updates are available. It
sounds to me that this is what you are seeing.

 

[Dan Calic]

I did this and I'm still getting SPAM.
I also have WIFI and router.
Any other suggestions?

- Dan

 

[Spinner]

When you say "Spam", is it a popup similar to a windows warning message in
appearance, or is it more like a webpage in appearance with graphics, etc?
If the latter, you may have spayware installed on your computer.
Have you tried scanning with AdAware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
or Spybot Search & Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/?
Download both and try them, make sure you use the search for updates options
in both before scanning. Both of these are free programs by the way.
Also type msconfig from the run command on the start menu and check what
programs are set to run under the startup tab. Are there any strange entries
there?