message service

[Guest]

message says buffer overflow go www.DLPATCH.COM.
IS THIS A REAL PROBLEM OR SPYWARE

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "CHINA GIRL" <CHINA (e-mail address removed)>

| message says buffer overflow go www.DLPATCH.COM.
| IS THIS A REAL PROBLEM OR SPYWARE

What message ?

Are you getting a Pop-Up with the term "Messenger Serice" on the border of the Pop-Up ?

 

[Guest]

yes

 

[Guest]

Dave, was the web site address on the message you sent the answer to my
problem?

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "CHINA GIRL" <[email protected]>

| yes
|


This is NOT a virus nor malware it is a plain and simple con job in a NetBIOS Pop-Up form !

To disable the Windows Messenger Service, you can open a Command Prompt and type the
following commands...

sc stop Messenger
sc config Messenger start= disabled

A Router such as the Linksys BEFSR41 will also block this at the WAN/LAN interface and such
messages won't be seen on a LAN PC.

It also means two things...

You do NOT have WinXP SP2 installed
Your PC has NetBIOS over IP exposed to the Internet.

If you had installed WinXP SP2 it would have done two things. Disabled the NT Messenger
Service and enabled the WinXP FireWall.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "CHINA GIRL" <[email protected]>

| Dave, was the web site address on the message you sent the answer to my
| problem?
|


No. That is my signature.

It does have information on removing and dealing with malware but NOT specific to your
problem which is related to NetBIOS Pop-Up spam scams.

 

[Guest]

So, that message I get is a scam? because it won't leave my screen.

 

[Guest]

how do u entera command prompt and what is WinXp SP2

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "CHINA GIRL" <[email protected]>

| how do u entera command prompt and what is WinXp SP2
|

Oy vay !

1) Go to; Start --> Run

enter; cmd.exe

You are NOW in a Command prompt

2) WinXP SP2 -- Windows XP Service Pack level 2.

 

[NewScience]

It will if you turn the SERVICE off as instructed.

Windows XP SP2 = Windows XP Service Pack 2

 

[Bruce Chambers]

yes

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 few 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?

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

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They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell