**Message from Security Monitor to Windows User**

[Guest]

The following came across my computer this morning in a pop-up window. Is
this a valid problem/patch? Should I go here? I am running Windows XP Home
Edition.


Message from SECURITY MONITOR to WINDOWS USER on 1/23/2005 11:22:55 AM

Important Windows Security Bulletin
===================================
Buffer Overrun in Messenger Service Allows Remote Code Execution,
Virus Infection and Unexpected Computer Shutdowns

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Non Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

Your System is affected, download the patch from the address below !
FIRST TYPE THE ADDRESS BELOW INTO YOUR INTERNET BROWSER, THEN CLICK 'OK'.
THE ADDRESS WILL DISAPPEAR ONCE YOU CLICK 'OK'.

www.updatepatch.info

 

[jopa66]

Absolutely NOT!
Microsoft does not issue bulletins this way. Go to Windows Update and do
updates there. Never get updates anywhere else.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

They are attempting to sell you what Microsoft is giving for free:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/paypat.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

The following came across my computer this morning in a pop-up window. Is
this a valid problem/patch? Should I go here? I am running Windows XP Home
Edition.


Message from SECURITY MONITOR to WINDOWS USER on 1/23/2005 11:22:55 AM

Important Windows Security Bulletin
===================================
Buffer Overrun in Messenger Service Allows Remote Code Execution,
Virus Infection and Unexpected Computer Shutdowns

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Non Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition

Your System is affected, download the patch from the address below !
FIRST TYPE THE ADDRESS BELOW INTO YOUR INTERNET BROWSER, THEN CLICK 'OK'.
THE ADDRESS WILL DISAPPEAR ONCE YOU CLICK 'OK'.

It's a scam, plain and simple. It's from a very unscrupulous
"business." They're trying to sell you patches that Microsoft provides
free-of-charge, and using a very intrusive means of advertising. It's
also demonstrating that your PC is very unsecure.

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 UDP 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?


--

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