Messenger popups

[Mike Baker]

Whats up with the messenger popups I am getting, when I
go to the site it says on the popup it says that the
popups are features of windows XP and offer a program to
fix it, for a price of course. Is this true, or is it a
virus?

 

[Guest]

There's a way to stop messenger spam. Follow these steps:
To Disable the Messenger Service Manually:
-- Click on the Start button in the taskbar
-- Open Control Panels
-- Go to "Administrative Tools" (XP users may need to go
to "Performance and Maintenance" first,
then "Administrative Tools")
-- Double-click on "Services"
-- Scroll down to "Messenger"
-- Double-click on "Messenger"
-- Change the Startup type to "Disabled"
-- Click "Stop" to stop the service

To Re-Enable Manually:
Follow the above steps, but change the Startup type
to "Automatic," then click "Apply," then click "Start"
under Service Status.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Mike;
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/

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

That is bad and dangerous advice.
The Messenger Service ads indicate an unprotected computer.
The correct fix is a firewall.
Just disabling Messenger Service only covers the symptom.
See my other post this thread.

 

[Buck Rogers]

I have the same problem with messenger popups since I
upgraded to XP last week - I already have MacAfee personal
Firewall protecting my PC - I'm surprised this doesn't
stop it, but should/can I run this Windows XP Internet
Connection Firewall as well?

Buck

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Buck;
It is sometimes a bad idea and is unnecessary to use two firewalls at
the same time.
If McAfee is letting Messenger Service ads through, the firewall is
not configured properly.
Check the configuration or uninstall/reinstall if necessary.

Follow this link:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
Look near the bottom, it shows which ports need to be blocked.

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
http://dts-l.org/index.html

 

[Laudon Williams [MSFT]]

Mike, you may find the following helpful:
http://www.microsoft.com/protect/

 

[cato]

I am running XP's built in ICF firewall (good against incoming threats) and
ZA (free) parallel with maximum satisfaction. Add Sygate's NAV and you are
well protected for low cost if use the advices of this forum how to
configure them.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

This type of spam has become quite common over the past several
months, 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
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

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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Please stop deliberately posting potentially harmful advice.

Disabling the messenger service is a "head in the sand" approach
to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to threats such as
the W32.Blaster.Worm.

The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups; they're
actually providing a useful service by acting as a security alert. The
true problem is the unsecured computer, and you're only
advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. How is
this helpful?

Equivalent Scenario: You over-exert your shoulder at work or
play, causing bursitis. After weeks of annoying and sometimes
excruciating pain whenever you try to reach over your head, you go to
a doctor and say, while demonstrating the motion, "Doc, it hurts when
I do this." The doctor, being as helpful as you are, replies, "Well,
don't do that."

The only true way to secure the PC, short of disconnecting it from
the Internet, is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; just
installing one and letting it's default settings handle things is no
good. Unfortunately, this does require one to learn a little bit more
about using a computer than used to be necessary.


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