Messenger re-enables itself

[MilesG]

I keep disabling Messenger in XP (Admin Tools/Services) to
stop these bloomin' popups, but it keeps re-enabling
itself. Which program does this? Can I stop it?
I see in XP Pro that you can edit gpedit.msc in Expand
Administrative templates/Windows components, but this is
not available in XP Home?
Regards
Miles

 

[Taurarian]

Step 1
To Disable Messenger MSN from running go to the start menu and select RUN.
In the window that appears type regedit.
Step 2
Navigate to the following Key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft
Now create a new key by selecting Edit from the main menu bar. Now select
New then Key.
Name this new Key: Messenger
Step 3
Now select the newly created Messenger Key and create another new Key. Only
this time name it: Client.
Step 4
Next create a DWORD value. So Right Click the new Client Key and select New
then DWORD.
Name the DWORD PreventRun.
Step 5
Now give it a Data Value of 1
Step 6
Now restart Windows XP and you will have successfully Disabled Messenger
MSN.


Note you can save the registry key first by:
On the File menu, click Export.
In the File name box, type SaveKey, and then click Save.
Or create a system restore point prior to editing.
Note: If the registry key is not there, you can simply create one by going
edit > new.



http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;322756
HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the Registry in Windows XP
Disclaimer: Modifying the registry can cause serious problems that may
require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the information provided
at your own risk.

 

[MIlesG]

Thanks Taurarian. When are you going to become a MS-MVP!
Miles

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

This type of spam has become quite common over the past several
months, 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
recently swept cross 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/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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