How to remove messenger service window?

[Adrian]

Hi,

I don't know why the messenger service window always pops up, it's just so
annoying, I remember there's a way to remove it. Can anybody tell me how?
Thanks in advance.

Adrian

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Turn on the firewall, don't turn off the messenger service. The popups occur
because your system is exposed.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Adrian]

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by system is exposed? you mean being
hacked? How can I solve that? My firewall has already turned on, but
messager service still comes in. I remember there's a way to remove that..
but don't remember how.

 

[Rock]

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by system is exposed? you mean being
hacked? How can I solve that? My firewall has already turned on, but
messager service still comes in. I remember there's a way to remove that..
but don't remember how.

Messenger Service window that contains an Internet advertisement appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

 

[Adrian]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The resolution is "Install firewall, block inbound
NetBIOS and UDPbroadcast traffic on your computer"

I got a McCafee firewall installed, but how can I block those traffic?

Regards,

 

[Rock]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The resolution is "Install firewall, block inbound
NetBIOS and UDPbroadcast traffic on your computer"

I got a McCafee firewall installed, but how can I block those traffic?

Regards,

Adrian wrote:


being

that..


Messenger Service window that contains an Internet advertisement appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

See the end of that article. It talks about specific ports to block.
Read the McAfee manual or ask on an McAfee site. I don't use that program.

 

[KWW]

If you go to www.grc.com they have a great tool called "shoot the
messenger". It gives you the ability to have a desktop icon that you can
use to toggle messenger ON and OFF. This guy has been around for years.
Has LOTS of good stuff and is VERY reputable. It is very enlightening to
run the firewall security tests! I initially got turned on to his site
because I use Iomega ZIP drives, and he had a test to run to verify the
condition of your disks and drive units.

Back to the Messenger thing: Additionally, if you also get the annoying MS
messenger tray icon whenever you open up Outlook Express, you should go to
WindowsUpdate and get the patch... not sure if it is in the security section
or in the "other stuff" area, but it eliminates the requirement to have the
MS Messenger thing (OK, I forget what the blame thing is, I just hate it,
OK?) in the system tray just to use Outlook.

Hope this helps!
--
KWW

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

You are confusing MS messenger and Windows messenger. They are not the same
thing and the latter should not be turned off. The windows the OP is getting
are the result of having the system exposed to the 'net because the firewall
is not blocking the correct ports. Closing those ports is the solution,
disabling the messenger service is not. MS Messenger can be uninstalled,
disabled, shutdown, etc without incident, but doing so will not resolve the
problem that OP is having.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

If you go to www.grc.com they have a great tool called "shoot the
messenger". It gives you the ability to have a desktop icon that you can
use to toggle messenger ON and OFF. This guy has been around for years.
Has LOTS of good stuff and is VERY reputable. It is very enlightening to
run the firewall security tests! I initially got turned on to his site
because I use Iomega ZIP drives, and he had a test to run to verify the
condition of your disks and drive units.

Back to the Messenger thing: Additionally, if you also get the annoying
MS messenger tray icon whenever you open up Outlook Express, you should go
to WindowsUpdate and get the patch... not sure if it is in the security
section or in the "other stuff" area, but it eliminates the requirement to
have the MS Messenger thing (OK, I forget what the blame thing is, I just
hate it, OK?) in the system tray just to use Outlook.

Hope this helps!

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

I don't know why the messenger service window always pops up, it's just so
annoying, I remember there's a way to remove it. Can anybody tell me how?
Thanks in advance.

Adrian

This type of spam has become quite common over the past couple of
years, 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 most definitely open to other threats, such as the Blaster,
Welchia, and Sasser Worms that still haunt 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 UP ports 135,
137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are all blocked. You
may also disable Inbound 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?

There are several essential components to computer security: a
knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.

The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
they're about to click.

Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.


To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

Home Computer Security
http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/

List of Antivirus Software Vendors
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

Scumware.com
http://www.scumware.com/



--

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]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. The resolution is "Install firewall, block inbound
NetBIOS and UDPbroadcast traffic on your computer"

I got a McCafee firewall installed, but how can I block those traffic?

Configure Your existing firewall properly, following the
manufacturer's instructions.


--

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]

If you go to www.grc.com they have a great tool called "shoot the
messenger". It gives you the ability to have a desktop icon that you can
use to toggle messenger ON and OFF.

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

Merely disabling the messenger service, as you suggest, and as
Gibson's utility does, is a dangerous "head in the sand" approach to
computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to threats such as the
W32.Blaster, W32.Welchia, and W32,Sasser worms.

The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups; they're
actually providing a useful, if unintentional, 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. Was
this truly helpful?

Equivalent Scenario: You over-exert your shoulder at work or play,
causing bursitis. After weeks of annoying and sometimes excruciating
pain whenever you try to reach over your head, you go to a doctor and
say, while demonstrating the motion, "Doc, it hurts when I do this." The
doctor, being as helpful as you've been, replies, "Well, don't do that."

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. Unfortunately, this does require one to learn a little bit more
about using a computer than used to be necessary.

This guy has been around for years.

Sad, but true.

Has LOTS of good stuff and is VERY reputable.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Gibson has been fooling a lot
of people for several years, now, so don't feel too bad about having
believed him. He mixes just enough facts in with his hysteria and
hyperbole to be plausible. Gibson is assuming a presumably morally
superior pose as a White Knight out to rescue the poor, defenseless
computer user, all the while offering solutions that do no good whatsoever.

Perhaps you should read what real computer security specialists
have to say about Steve Gibson's "security" expertise. You can start here:
http://www.grcsucks.com/


--

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

 

[George Hester]

Well you could also stop the messenger service from starting at boot. That
will stop it.

 

[KWW]

You are correct in noting that one should secure his/her computer. I would
politely argue, however, that Gibson's utility does positively contribute
towards computer security in that it disables a vulnerability. An analogy
would be that your house had a doggy door big enough for your pet Irish
Wolfhound to come and go. This is nice, and it is handy, but your dog died
years ago and you never could bring yourself to find another. You still
have the dog door. It is a security risk for your house. If you have a way
to lock the dog door then thieves cannot use it to gain entry into your
house.

 

[KWW]

Thank you for being vigilant. I overlooked that.... Gibson even says in his
documentation that they are different. Sorry for posting the wrong info.

--
KWW

You are confusing MS messenger and Windows messenger. They are not the
same thing and the latter should not be turned off. The windows the OP is
getting are the result of having the system exposed to the 'net because
the firewall is not blocking the correct ports. Closing those ports is the
solution, disabling the messenger service is not. MS Messenger can be
uninstalled, disabled, shutdown, etc without incident, but doing so will
not resolve the problem that OP is having.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Bruce Chambers]

You are correct in noting that one should secure his/her computer. I would
politely argue, however, that Gibson's utility does positively contribute
towards computer security in that it disables a vulnerability.

No, it doesn't contribute anything, and it doesn't disable a
"vulnerability." All is does is turn off a "left-handed" notice that
the vulnerability exists. Turning off the messenger service doesn't
even really stop the messenger service spam (much less any true
threats), it justs stops the display of the spam. It other words, it
does nothing except *hide* the problem.




--

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