disable msn messenger pernamently?

[Doug]

I read recently where Msn messenger acts as a server on the host machine and
therefore opens ports thru which others might gain access to the host and
control it remotely.

I have just installed a pix 501 firewall. Will the messenger program,
(acting as a server) still be able to create the open port(s)??

Thanks

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The program on your PC is called an MSN Messenger "client".
It connects to an MSN Messenger "server" over the Internet.
In broad terms, the client then sends and receives information
with other clients via the server. Most of the time, your client
will converse with the MSN Messenger server, which processes
the information and tells other people. However, some information
is simply passed on by the server without being processed. For example,
when sending an instant message, the command "here is a message,
pass it on" is processed by the server, but the message itself is just
passed on by the server and processed by the client.

More Info: http://www.hypothetic.org/docs/msn/general/overview.php

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


|I read recently where Msn messenger acts as a server on the host machine and
| therefore opens ports thru which others might gain access to the host and
| control it remotely.
|
| I have just installed a pix 501 firewall. Will the messenger program,
| (acting as a server) still be able to create the open port(s)??
|
| Thanks

 

[Doug]

Thanks for responding Carey,



However I don't understand much of the technical jargon / details. I found
this on that page you provided link to....

********************

Note that the SB and the NS are not very tightly integrated. For example,
when a principal in a switchboard session change his or her display name,
the switchboard still sends out messages and other commands with the old
display name. In addition, when a principal disconnects from the NS, all
switchboard sessions still remain open until the client explicitly closes
them.

*******

So am I "safe" (as in it does NOT open any new ports that would make my
machine "visible") to use Msn Mess. (for when I did, I left it connected
24/7)?



Thanks again!!