Question on Windows Messenger Service

[Guest]

Can anyone explain to me, how to prevent or get rid of
those irritating windows messenger service messages, that
frequently pops up on the screen. I believe that its
related to my TCP/LAN connection? I am running the
Windows XP pro.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

This type of spam has become quite common over the year or so, 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

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

HOW TO Enable or Disable Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q283673

If you decide on a 3rd party firewall product, 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

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

 

[Guest]

Courteousy of Bruce Chambers

This type of spam has become quite common over the year
or so, 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

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

HOW TO Enable or Disable Internet Connection Firewall in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-
us;Q283673

If you decide on a 3rd party firewall product,
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

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?