How do I delete the messenger service popups

[Guest]

I have done everything I can to stop these popups from happening again. My only problem is now, how do I get rid of the vast store of popups I have in que. Where are they stored. This was happening on my server, and I have about 3 day worth and my fingers are getting tired clicking OK.

 

[Martin]

I have done everything I can to stop these popups from happening again. My

only problem is now, how do I get rid of the vast store of popups I have in
que. Where are they stored. This was happening on my server, and I have
about 3 day worth and my fingers are getting tired clicking OK.

You can disable the Messenger service.

Goto the Control Panel>Admin Tools>Services.
Locate Messenger, right-click Properties.
Change Startup type to Disabled.

A good guide to Windows services can be found here
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Martin.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Martin
I have already done all that. I think my system should be secure now. All I need to know is how do I delete the que.
There is a lot of stuff still there

Thanks again

 

[Jim Rogers]

Ron, I'll pass on a post from a couple of years back addressing that
question.

Right click "start" then "explore".
Under "tools" select "folder options" then "view". Select "show hidden files
and folders"
Go to c:\windows\inf\sysoc.inf & open. Near the bottom there is a line that
starts with "mssmsgs" delete the word "hide" in that line & save.
Go to "control panel" open "add or remove programs". Drop down and select
"add or remove windows components"
Then uncheck the box by "windows messenger"
The next time you boot up all traces of windows messenger should be gone.
Worked for me. I thank the person that posted this solution a couple of
years ago.

I have done everything I can to stop these popups from happening again. My

only problem is now, how do I get rid of the vast store of popups I have in
que. Where are they stored. This was happening on my server, and I have
about 3 day worth and my fingers are getting tired clicking OK.

 

[Guest]

To Delete the Messenger Service:

Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: sc delete messenger.
Reboot.

or

Or go to Start/Run/Regedit and go to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\
Messengerservice Delete Key. You can export it in case
you want it again,
then delete. Reboot

-----Original Message-----
I have done everything I can to stop these popups from

happening again. My only problem is now, how do I get rid
of the vast store of popups I have in que. Where are they
stored. This was happening on my server, and I have about
3 day worth and my fingers are getting tired clicking OK.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Why not simply reboot the server?

Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Disabling the Messenger Service did _NOT_ secure the system. By
disabling the service, you've done nothing but turn off a security
warning.

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

I realize that you're trying to help, and that such an intent is
commendable, but please don't post potentially harmful advice.

Disabling the messenger service, as you advised, is a "treat the
symptoms" approach to computer security still that leaves the PC
vulnerable to threats such as the W32.Blaster.Worm.

The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups; they're
actually providing a useful service by acting as a security alert.
The true problem is the unsecured computer, and your only advice,
however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings.

Equivalent Scenario: Pulling the battery out of a noisy smoke
detector instead of seeking and eliminating the source of the smoke
that set it off.

The only true way to secure the PC, short of disconnecting it from
the Internet, is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; just
installing one and letting it's default settings handle things is no
good.


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