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. A free good
firewall you can get is ZoneAlarm.
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/communic
ate/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?
*court bruce c*
-----Original Message-----
Are there suppose to be popup ads like bejeweled, what
year did you graduate, and Dr Phill question in Windows
Messenger? I think I enabled this service by
accident...when I used to open up Windows Messenger a
little yellow airplane would appear. I clicked on it and
now it's gone. But other options now apear at the bottom
of Window Messenger. It says, I want to... Add a
contact, send an instant mess, etc. My concern is the
little pop up ads at the bottom of the Messenger screen
that appear right on top of icon that says MSN Messenger
microsoft.net with a little butterfly.
I concerned this is a security issure. My firewall is
enabled and Run this progra when windows starts and allow
this program to run in the background is not checked.
Am I protecte? Are these popup ads part of Windows
Messenger. How can I disable so I dont receive pop up in
Windows messenger?
