Is this real or some kind of scam

[Guest]

Over the past two days a message appears on my computers in my home network
notifying me with a little window that states a new version of Windows
Messenger exists. It asks me to choose the radio button to install or not. I
choose "Not" because when I click on the "Additional Information" option it
goes to the INternet to a broken link or something like that. It makes me
suspicious because I know that some hackers or spammers have used these kinds
of hoaxes to get a user to connect to their text, code or whatever so they
can take over my computer.
After I choose no it happens each time I boot the computer. ANy help is
appreciated.

 

[dude]

I wouldn't install it and If I was you I would get a
firewall ...

ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/zna
lm/freeDownload.jsp

Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/download/

MY FAVORITE RIGHT HERE BELOW ( PRO )
Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm

Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/

BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/

Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/

 

[Guest]

Thanks. I do have a firewall through my router don't I? Is that good enough?
I recently purchased Norton System works but have not installed it.
I guess my next question is how do I get rid of the message that keeps
popping up?

I wouldn't install it and If I was you I would get a
firewall ...

ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/zna
lm/freeDownload.jsp

Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/download/

MY FAVORITE RIGHT HERE BELOW ( PRO )
Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm

Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/

BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/

Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/

 

[Sandman]

Personally, I wouldn't want Norton System Works on my machine (to slow it
down)..

Thanks. I do have a firewall through my router don't I? Is that good enough?
I recently purchased Norton System works but have not installed it.
I guess my next question is how do I get rid of the message that keeps
popping up?

 

[Guest]

Sounds like it may be a spyware pop-up. Download and run the free version of
AdAwareSE from Lavasoft's web site (try a Google search to locate). Ruzz

 

[DJ Borell]

Having an embedded firewall in your router is good, but not good enough.
You really need to have one on your system, too.

Thanks. I do have a firewall through my router don't I? Is that good
enough?
I recently purchased Norton System works but have not installed it.
I guess my next question is how do I get rid of the message that keeps
popping up?

 

[Alex Nichol]

Over the past two days a message appears on my computers in my home network
notifying me with a little window that states a new version of Windows
Messenger exists. It asks me to choose the radio button to install or not. I
choose "Not" because when I click on the "Additional Information" option it
goes to the INternet to a broken link or something like that.

Very likely a scam. Check for any new version direct on the microsoft
site at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/download.asp
But if you have XP Service Pack 2, you already have it

 

[Alias]

Very likely a scam. Check for any new version direct on the microsoft
site at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/messenger/download.asp
But if you have XP Service Pack 2, you already have it

Not true. There's an update for both Windows and MSN Messenger. With Windows
Messenger, it won't let you sign in without downloading and installing the
update. The update was a part of Tuesday's updates.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Alias: This morning when I tried the "What's New..." button it did
take me to what looks like a Microsoft site on Messenger. I then tried the
download button from there and it brought me to a screen on service pack 2. I
am wondering if that means it is done. I already have service pack 2
installed. How can I confirm if I have the newest version of Messenger
installed now?

 

[Alias]

Mine is 4.7.3001 You can tell by going to Help and then About Windows
Messenger.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, that helped. Mine was 3000 so I did the update and it seemed to go as
expected and now it is the same as yours. I am going to follow through with
some of the other recommendations as well just to have the highest security I
am capable of. Like most I prefer a headache free, think free
Internet/Computer network but I guess we are not there yet.
I wish Microsoft had been a bit more convincing in there initial contact.
They are spouting not to trust things that suddenly appear on the screen and
yet they seem to do it. I checked the certificate along the way and it
expired January 05. That, to a novice like me is further reason for anxiety.
Talking to real people is always more productive. Thanks again.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Thanks Alias: This morning when I tried the "What's New..." button it did
take me to what looks like a Microsoft site on Messenger. I then tried the
download button from there and it brought me to a screen on service pack 2. I
am wondering if that means it is done. I already have service pack 2
installed. How can I confirm if I have the newest version of Messenger
installed now?

Are you talking of Windows Messenger (as indicated by original post) or
MSN Messenger, which I think Alias is talking about? For that, go to
www.msn.com and download latest is on the right

 

[Guest]

Actually I am talking about Windows Messenger. This morning after comparing
versions with Alias I tried the link that was failing to give me more
information the other times I tried it and this time it brought me to an
actual Microsoft site. That had an Install button which brought me to a
Service Pack 2 information screen. I already had service pack 2 installed. So
I went back to the window that originally caused me concern and this time
chose Yes to install the new version and it seemed to go OK. I then rebooted
and no message came up. I also ran Ad Aware and found no problems. I ran
virus detection as well and no problems. Both were updated before running
them. I think I am back where I want to be again. Until next time. Thanks for
follow up. It is appreciated.