Messager Service

[ryan]

hi, i have a linksys befsr41 router, and when i open my
ports i get keep getting pop up like messages that have
advertisements on them, and they r titled Windows
Messager Service, if anyone knows how to get rid of these
annoying pop ups please let me know

 

[Craig Wilson]

this is the new form of "spam" -

to turn them off - goto control panel - admin tools - services - find the
"messenger" service - double click it
in the drop-down box called "Startup Type" - select "disabled" - then click
on the button called "stop" to stop the service

Hope this helps

Craig

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Ryan;
The appropriate fix is to close the ports with a firewall..
Some of the misguided will suggest disabling Messenger Service is the
fix.
These ads are using Messenger Service.
Messenger Service is a valuable tool many use.
Like many tools, it can be exploited.

No need to pay for the fix.
For Messenger Service ads:
You need to install or enable a firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
Disabling Messenger Service can be a good idea, but it does not solve
the real problem.
The ads are not the real problem, the ads are only a symptom.
The real problem is open ports that allow unwanted traffic into the
computer.
Disabling Messenger does nothing for the open ports.
The firewall controls the traffic.

Internet Connection Firewall will not work if you have AOL.
AOL is not compatible with Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF)
If you have AOL, you should contact AOL and/or get a 3rd party
firewall:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/

Disable Messenger Service:
Start/Control Panel, click Administrative Tools, click Services.
Go down to "Messenger".
Right click "Messenger" and select Properties.
Then under Start-up select DISABLE
Click OK and follow prompts

 

[Alun Jones [MS MVP]]

this is the new form of "spam" -

Good so far, but then you have to go and blow it with a really dumb
suggestion:

to turn them off - goto control panel - admin tools - services - find the
"messenger" service - double click it
in the drop-down box called "Startup Type" - select "disabled" - then click
on the button called "stop" to stop the service

Don't do that, it's a half-baked "solution". What it does is allow
nefarious packets to keep getting in to your computer, but just hides the
fact that these packets are flooding your system.

What you need to do is use a firewall. XP has one built in, and there are
instructions at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
on how to enable it.

This will stop the unwanted packets from entering your system - not just
those used by the Messenger Service spam, but also those used by Blaster,
Welchia, and several other worms that replicate by exploiting flaws in the
services that Windows runs by default.

Me, I leave the Messenger Service running on my systems, because I want to
know if my firewall ever fails.

Alun.
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