Messenger Pop-ups

[David A Gourlay]

NOT MSN Messenger!

I keep getting annoying pop-ups - mainly telling me how annoying these
pop-ups are! Apparently they are built into Windows XP (Home). How can I
stop them? Norton AV & Firewall don't pick them up.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

Microsoft will be fixing this next year in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Until
then see the site below for instructions on how to stop them.

Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

 

[Willit]

Get a fire wall or turn on the built-in one.
Go to control Panel> Network connections > *Your
connection* rt click >properties, Advanced Tab, check to
enable> The Firewall.

or

If They say "Messenger Service" in the top frame. There
are Several ways to do it.

Disable Method: Start > Run > Type "services.msc" >ok ,
on the services and applications find "Messenger" and
right click on it and choose properties choose "Disable"
in the middle Apply > ok.

or

Start Method : goto Start > Run > Type "msconfig" on the
Start Config. Menu go to Services Tab , go down the list
to "Messenger" uncheck, apply> ok re-boot. you will get a
warning when you re-boot >ok Done.

or

If you don't want it or need it or the Alerter Service
Delete it. Most don't, unless you are on a network, other
than your own. The Alerter Service is used on a network to
send virus alerts. You have to be on a network before
either have any use.

To Delete the Messenger Service:

Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: sc delete messenger.
Reboot.

or

Or go to Start/Run/Regedit and go to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\
Messengerservice Delete Key. You can export it in case you
want it again,
then delete. Reboot

 

[purplehaz]

I might word that differently. Since nothing is broken there is nothing to
fix. What do you mean by fix? No need to have people thinking the messenger
service is broken in some way. Having the firewall on by default is a smart
idea, but that's not "fixing" something, that's just being smart. The way
you have worded it is mis-leading. The messenger service is a tool I use
everyday and works perfectly, it doesn't need any fixing.

 

[Chris Lanier]

Greetings

The Messenger Service is enabled by default on home PC's. No reason for
that. And so Microsoft will be "fixing" it. In addition Microsoft will
enable the firewall by default and include support for blocking outgoing
traffic. They announced this at PDC about a month ago.

 

[David Candy]

Unless they buy an app that uses it and it their app doesn't work. No reason to disable it.

What is needed is not to enable NetBIOS on internet connections. This is the cause of the problem. A firewall should be unnecessary. A computer should work fine without a firewall. A firewall is an EXTRA level of protection, like a moat. The standard mode of operating should be the walls.

Windows 9x did not have a problem with this.

The fix is to fix the walls. It is not to ensure there is a moat, though not a bad idea for general reasons, except of course those with joint network/internet connections (eg via ICS) will lose their network when installing the SP.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

This type of spam has become quite common over the past year, 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 may
well be open to other threats, such as the Blaster Worm that recently
swept cross 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 almost 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

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

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

 

[Kevin Davis³]

Unless they buy an app that uses it and it their app doesn't work. No reason to disable it.

This is the exact opposite concept that the vast majority of security
experts would advise which would be that there's no reason to have it
enabled unless you are using it.

 

[Kevin Davis³]

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?

Oh, and don't forget that the Messenger Service would also provide a
useful service to hackers if it is not patched:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-043.asp

Setup a firewall first, but if you don't need the Messenger Service,
turn it off. If you need it, patch it. You would also be well
advised to spend $50 and buy a home router.

Be especially wary of people who would insist on having you keep the
Messenger Service on as a "helpful feature" and conveniently
forgetting to inform you that it has a very serious vulnerability that
needs to be patched immediately.

And of particular interest is that Microsoft itself and security
experts are seriously reconsidering the role of the Messenger service:

http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/10/28/HNmessengeroff_1.html

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,113321,tk,dn110703X,00.asp

http://news.com.com/2100-7355_3-5095935.html

http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/11/07/microsoft.popup.reut/index.html


Here's a link where Microsoft actually outright advises the user to
turn off the Messenger Service:

http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp


Those who would advise not to turn off the Messenger Service for the
less than trivial unintended side benefit of being a warning is
dispensing advice which contradicts the advice of many real security
professionals.

 

[purplehaz]

No reason for it to be enabled in who's eyes? The messenger service can be a
valuable tool in a home network environment. You can use it for many things
in the home. Example: its dinner time so you message your kids upstairs that
dinners ready, instead of yelling like a cave man. This is the new
millennium, instant messaging in many forms is a way of life and the
messenger service has provided that service for years without probs, without
the need to connect to a third party server to message. It should be
embraced and people should learn to use their computers correctly, not shut
down a valuable tool. I think the messenger service is a great tool for
business or home and its getting a bad rap because people don't know how to
secure their computers correctly. It should be listed in the start menu by
default, under accessories, system tools.

 

[John E. Carty]

No reason for it to be enabled in who's eyes? The messenger service can be a
valuable tool in a home network environment. You can use it for many things
in the home. Example: its dinner time so you message your kids upstairs that
dinners ready, instead of yelling like a cave man.

Wow, enable an unneeded service, which opens up a port which is very often
exploited, just to call the kids to dinner. You are a genius

 

[David Candy]

Wow, delibrately break programs. You're a complete idiot. What don't you and your fellow morons understand about the fact it is your network that is incompetently configured.

If we follow your logic no program will work on XP. That's what happens when morons like you start pontificating on subjects you know nothing about.

You are suggesting that AV programs, a big user of this service, should no longer communicate with the user.

"Doctor, it hurts when I walk". JM and the Master Idiot KD would reply "Don't walk then".

If this concerns you, and it shouldn't, then fix the problem not find ways of hiding symptons.

You and KD are incredibly stupid people.

Lets disable these ones as well, if someone needs sounds then they should enable it. Oh wow - the browser service is running - lets kill that too. Your stupidity is absolutly astounding.

AudioSrv, Browser, CryptSvc, Dhcp, dmserver,
ERSvc, EventSystem, helpsvc, lanmanserver,
lanmanworkstation, Messenger, Netman, Nla,
RasAuto, RasMan, Schedule, seclogon, SENS,
SharedAccess, ShellHWDetection, TapiSrv,
TermService, Themes, TrkWks, uploadmgr,
W32Time, winmgmt, WmdmPmSp, wuauserv, WZCSVC

 

[purplehaz]

be

Wow, enable an unneeded service, which opens up a port which is very often
exploited, just to call the kids to dinner. You are a genius

Duh..... and you're even brighter. If your patched using windows update and
you have a firewall running, the service CANNOT, I REPEAT, CANNOT BE HACKED.
Keep the useful tool enabled and learn how to use a computer correctly. Or
else don't use one at all. The prob is users like you, not the messenger
service. To me and millions of other people this is a needed service.

<snip>

 

[John E. Carty]

can


Duh..... and you're even brighter. If your patched using windows update and
you have a firewall running, the service CANNOT, I REPEAT, CANNOT BE HACKED.

Keep the useful tool enabled and learn how to use a computer correctly.

Learn what this tool is designed for, and how to use the correct tool for
the job at hand.

Or else don't use one at all. The prob is users like you, not the messenger
service.

Made my living using computers, and still have 12 systems in my hone even
though I'm retired. I certainly know how to use one.

To me and millions of other people this is a needed service.

If you need the service , then by all means use it. But using a net send to
call children in the same house to dinner, instead of actually talking to
them, certainly does not qualify needing this service in my book

 

[purplehaz]

Learn what this tool is designed for, and how to use the correct tool for
the job at hand.

I know exactly what the tool is used for, do you? It is used to send net
send messages(pop up messages) to other computers, usually used on a
lan(internal network). What point are you trying to make, I know what it
does and how to use(and how to hack it if I wanted to).

Made my living using computers, and still have 12 systems in my hone even
though I'm retired. I certainly know how to use one.

Owning a computer doesn't makes you a good tech. Using computers doesn't
make you a good tech. Working at some big computer store chain doesn't make
you a good tech. Selling computers doesn't make you a good tech. Using
computers in your office doesn't make you a good tech.
Working on, fixing, trouble shooting, doing phone support, emails,
newsgroups, years of fixing thousands of other peoples problems, building
your own computers, studying, staying updated with technology, running your
own computer support business........ all things I do and make my living
at....... these things make you a good tech.

If you need the service , then by all means use it. But using a net send to
call children in the same house to dinner, instead of actually talking to
them, certainly does not qualify needing this service in my book

First of all, that was simply an example of how it can be used in a home
environment. I don't even have kids. Just showing you instant messaging(net
send) has a place in the home. Technology should be embraced, not be
something to be scared of. Also, in my household and with my families
households we have more class than that, we do not yell like barbarions, it
is foolish and undignified. I guess different classes of people do things
different ways. You yell and I'll use im or the intercom.
The need for the service is a home can certainly come up, but the real need
I was talking about, for myself, is in my business. I use it to communicate
with other users in the office when needed. Millions of network admins also
use netsend everyday. If you take care of many computer(hundreds/thousands)
in a network, the messenger service is a must have.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Without a firewall in place, the port will be open regardless of
whether messenger service is enabled, or not. Try again.

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

 

[John E. Carty]

I know exactly what the tool is used for, do you? It is used to send net
send messages(pop up messages) to other computers, usually used on a
lan(internal network). What point are you trying to make, I know what it
does and how to use(and how to hack it if I wanted to).


Owning a computer doesn't makes you a good tech. Using computers doesn't
make you a good tech. Working at some big computer store chain doesn't make
you a good tech. Selling computers doesn't make you a good tech. Using
computers in your office doesn't make you a good tech.
Working on, fixing, trouble shooting, doing phone support, emails,
newsgroups, years of fixing thousands of other peoples problems, building
your own computers, studying, staying updated with technology, running your
own computer support business........ all things I do and make my living
at....... these things make you a good tech.

Never claimed to be a good tech, though I am. Made my living as a
Windows Programmer for many years before I started a Computer
Consulting company from which I retired two years ago.

First of all, that was simply an example of how it can be used in a home
environment. I don't even have kids. Just showing you instant messaging(net
send) has a place in the home. Technology should be embraced, not be
something to be scared of.

I embrace technology to the point that my wife wants to shoot me for
always having to be the first 'kid on the block' with the new toys

Also, in my household and with my families
households we have more class than that, we do not yell like barbarions, it
is foolish and undignified. I guess different classes of people do things
different ways. You yell and I'll use im or the intercom.

Why would I yell? I simply get off my duff and walk to where my
children are located in the house if I need to speak with them. Even
at over 3,000 square feet it's not really that big a deal to amke the
walk.

The need for the service is a home can certainly come up, but the real need
I was talking about, for myself, is in my business. I use it to communicate
with other users in the office when needed. Millions of network admins also
use netsend everyday. If you take care of many computer(hundreds/thousands)
in a network, the messenger service is a must have.

Never said it wasn't when it come to a business/network environment,
but for the average home user this is far from a needed service.

 

[Kevin Davis³]

No reason for it to be enabled in who's eyes? The messenger service can be a
valuable tool in a home network environment. You can use it for many things
in the home. Example: its dinner time so you message your kids upstairs that
dinners ready, instead of yelling like a cave man. This is the new
millennium, instant messaging in many forms is a way of life and the
messenger service has provided that service for years without probs, without
the need to connect to a third party server to message. It should be
embraced and people should learn to use their computers correctly, not shut
down a valuable tool. I think the messenger service is a great tool for
business or home and its getting a bad rap because people don't know how to
secure their computers correctly. It should be listed in the start menu by
default, under accessories, system tools.

Basic security practices - disable all by default and then enable that
which you need. Microsoft should have had this service disabled by
default. Those (people/applications) that need it could then easily
turn it on. Fortunately due to the urging of many security experts,
Microsoft is now going to do the right thing and have it disabled by
default.

 

[Kevin Davis³]

Duh..... and you're even brighter. If your patched using windows update and
you have a firewall running, the service CANNOT, I REPEAT, CANNOT BE HACKED.
Keep the useful tool enabled and learn how to use a computer correctly. Or
else don't use one at all. The prob is users like you, not the messenger
service. To me and millions of other people this is a needed service.

News flash: Firewalls are software. Virtually no software is
bulletproof. Thus there is no way you can guarantee that one "CANNOT
BE HACKED" by running a firewall. That statement really exposes your
ignorance in the security field. You do not enable a service unless
you need it. For your purposes, you have made it clear that you
"need" it. For a lot of people, like myself, it is completely
unnecessary and represents a completely unnecessary risk when enabled.

If one installs an AV product that requires the Messenger Service, for
instance, it should be incumbent upon that software to enable the
service if it is not. It would also be proper for the software to
alert the user to this change in configuration.

 

[Kevin Davis³]

Owning a computer doesn't makes you a good tech. Using computers doesn't
make you a good tech. Working at some big computer store chain doesn't make
you a good tech. Selling computers doesn't make you a good tech. Using
computers in your office doesn't make you a good tech.
Working on, fixing, trouble shooting, doing phone support, emails,
newsgroups, years of fixing thousands of other peoples problems, building
your own computers, studying, staying updated with technology, running your
own computer support business........ all things I do and make my living
at....... these things make you a good tech.

And a good tech doesn't necessarily equate to knowing squat about
security.

Technology should be embraced, not be
something to be scared of.

This has nothing to do with being a Luddite.

The need for the service is a home can certainly come up, but the real need
I was talking about, for myself, is in my business. I use it to communicate
with other users in the office when needed. Millions of network admins also
use netsend everyday. If you take care of many computer(hundreds/thousands)
in a network, the messenger service is a must have.

I have no problem with someone running and using the service if they
have determined they have a need for it. Without a doubt it can be a
useful tool in certain contexts. But please make sure it's patched.
However, the user (or critical application like AV) should enable it
if it's needed. Something like this should not be enabled by default.