S
Stella Perez
HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
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J
Jim Macklin
Turn the firewall ON. XP has a firewall but I like Zone
Alarm (free) from www.zonelabs.com better.
| HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
Alarm (free) from www.zonelabs.com better.
| HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
S
Shenan Stanley
Stella said:HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
Figure out the proper use of the Caps Lock key.
http://members.execulink.com/~pjones/toggler/
Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)
Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)
Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three.)
Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.net/
Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de
CWSShredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
Hijack This!
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well.
And Assortment of Others:
http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html
After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php
Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)
- Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
- Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
- Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
do the following:
- Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
- Click on "Settings" and change the
"Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
- Click OK.
- Click on "Delete Files" and select to
"Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.
Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.
Also, if you are tired of Web Page Pop-Ups/Unders.. You could try the
Google Toolbar.
B
Bruce Chambers
Greetings --
First of all, please unstick your CapsLock key. Posting in all
caps, as you have done, is the Usenet equivalent of shouting, and is
considered very rude. More importantly, posting in all caps makes the
post very hard to read, further reducing your chances of getting help.
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
Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure
UDP ports 135, 137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are _all_
blocked. You may also disable Inbound NetBIOS (NetBIOS over TCP/IP).
You'll have to follow the instructions from firewall's manufacturer
for the specific steps.
You can test your firewall at:
Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vr_main.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=GPVHGBYNCJEIMXQKCDT
Security Scan - Sygate Online Services
http://www.sygatetech.com/
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
--
Help us help you:
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
First of all, please unstick your CapsLock key. Posting in all
caps, as you have done, is the Usenet equivalent of shouting, and is
considered very rude. More importantly, posting in all caps makes the
post very hard to read, further reducing your chances of getting help.
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
Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure
UDP ports 135, 137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are _all_
blocked. You may also disable Inbound NetBIOS (NetBIOS over TCP/IP).
You'll have to follow the instructions from firewall's manufacturer
for the specific steps.
You can test your firewall at:
Symantec Security Check
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vr_main.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=GPVHGBYNCJEIMXQKCDT
Security Scan - Sygate Online Services
http://www.sygatetech.com/
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
--
Help us help you:
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
A
Arjun
Apply this patch to acomplish the task:
http://mvps.org/sramesh2k/reg/Disable_Messenger.reg
Double-click and answer YES when prompted.
HTH
- Arjun
http://mvps.org/sramesh2k/reg/Disable_Messenger.reg
Double-click and answer YES when prompted.
HTH
- Arjun
S
Shenan Stanley
Stella said:HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
Apply this patch to acomplish the task:
http://mvps.org/sramesh2k/reg/Disable_Messenger.reg
Double-click and answer YES when prompted.
Adding what I am sure Arjun just mistakenly neglected to add..
After running the script, still install a third-party firewall OR use the
one built into Windows XP to help protect yourself from the hole you just
remedied the symptom of.
R
Ramesh [MVP]
Firewall is a must. Definitely agree, Shenan.
To the questioner:
Also turn off the Networking for the internet connection.
Open Network Connections. Select a Network Connections, Properties
Networking tab, IP Address, Properties, Advanced and WINS tab
Select "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP"
More Information:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/firewall.htm [Bruce Chambers, MVP has covered it already]
--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
Adding what I am sure Arjun just mistakenly neglected to add..
After running the script, still install a third-party firewall OR use the
one built into Windows XP to help protect yourself from the hole you just
remedied the symptom of.
To the questioner:
Also turn off the Networking for the internet connection.
Open Network Connections. Select a Network Connections, Properties
Networking tab, IP Address, Properties, Advanced and WINS tab
Select "Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP"
More Information:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Popups.htm
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/firewall.htm [Bruce Chambers, MVP has covered it already]
--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
Shenan Stanley said:HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
Apply this patch to acomplish the task:
http://mvps.org/sramesh2k/reg/Disable_Messenger.reg
Double-click and answer YES when prompted.
Adding what I am sure Arjun just mistakenly neglected to add..
After running the script, still install a third-party firewall OR use the
one built into Windows XP to help protect yourself from the hole you just
remedied the symptom of.
J
Jim Macklin
Without a firewall the computer is still open to hackers.
| Apply this patch to acomplish the task:
| http://mvps.org/sramesh2k/reg/Disable_Messenger.reg
|
| Double-click and answer YES when prompted.
|
| HTH
| - Arjun
|
| | > HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
|
|
| Apply this patch to acomplish the task:
| http://mvps.org/sramesh2k/reg/Disable_Messenger.reg
|
| Double-click and answer YES when prompted.
|
| HTH
| - Arjun
|
| | > HOW DO I GET RID OF THE MESSENGER SERVICE POP-UPS?
|
|
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