How to get rid of messages from Messenger Service

[Wraith]

Hi. I've gotten rid of these messages before by check boxing a certain
box but I can't remember where to find it. Here is an example message so
you know what I am talking about:

Messenger Service

Message from UPDATENOW to WINDOWS on 2/23/2005 10:47:45 AM

Important Notice from MSOFT

Buffer Overflow in Messenger Service Allows Unexpected Computer
Shutdown, Virus Infection and Remote Code Execution

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Non Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
FIRST TYPE THE URL BELOW INTO YOUR INTERNET BROWSER, THEN CLICK 'OK'

WWW.UPDATENOW.ORG

(OK button)

----

Anyone know how to get rid of these? I imagine they are a problem for
anyone first getting onto the internet.

//

(I know how to get rid of each one, I want to make it so they don't ever
show up.)

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Hi Wraith,

If the title bar reads as MESSENGER SERVICE, then it the world famous
Messenger SPAM / advertisement. Install a Firewall to prevent the pop-ups (a
must). Additional note on this issue, from Bruce Chambers - MVP

http://groups.google.co.in/groups?selm=#[email protected]

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi. I've gotten rid of these messages before by check boxing a certain
box but I can't remember where to find it. Here is an example message so
you know what I am talking about:

Anyone know how to get rid of these? I imagine they are a problem for
anyone first getting onto the internet.

//

(I know how to get rid of each one, I want to make it so they don't ever
show up.)

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

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