'MESSENGER SERVICE'

[Ken Smart]

Since 'upgrading' recently to Windows XP, I have been
plagued by 'pop-up' messages relating to Messenger
Service. They all advise me that if I go to certain
websites (and pay some money) they can stop this problem
which they themselves create. Can anyone tell me how
I'm encountering this problem now, and what I can do
about it. Thanks.

Ken.

 

[David Candy]

Will you stop posting this link. It misleading. It says

<Quote>

RESOLUTION



For information on how to resolve this issue, see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=330904

The steps under 'Workaround' may be most suitable for most users.

</Quote>



The steps under workaround are not suitable for any user. NetBIOS should not be exposed to the world. NetBIOS should be disabled for the connection. A Firewall is also a good idea and achives the same thing as disabling NetBIOS. NetBIOS does Windows Networking. You are allowing the whole world to visit your computer.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

This particular "sales method" is strikingly similar to the
"protection" rackets offered to small businesses by organized
criminals. Yes, it's a scam; no reputable business would need to
resort to extortion. Particularly since they're trying to sell you a
type of protection that is already available to you free of charge.

This type of spam has become quite common over the past few
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. Install and use a decent,
properly configured firewall. (Disabling the messenger service, as
some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does nothing to
secure your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" these
messages and the problem they represent 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 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 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?

Equivalent Scenario 1: Somewhere in a house, a small fire starts,
and sets off the smoke alarm. You, not immediately seeing any
fire/smoke, complain about the noise of the smoke detector, and are
advised to remove the smoke detector's battery and go back to sleep.

Equivalent Scenario 2: 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 some of your respondents,
replies, "Well, don't do that."

I'm beginning to think that the people deliberately posting such
bad advice are hacker-wannabes who have no true interest in helping
you secure your system, but would rather give you a false sense of
security while ensuring that your computer is still open to
exploitation.


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]

(Disabling the messenger service, as
some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does nothing to
secure your machine.)

Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
service is a "head in the sand" approach to computer security.

My real gripes here. I would re-word these paragraphs slightly as
such.

"(Only disabling the messenger service to fix this problem, as
some people recommend, hides the symptom)"

"Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
more than disable the messenger service. Only disabling the messenger
service is a 'head in the sand' approach to resolving this problem."

I would totally agree with these paragraphs.

Rationale for first change: Asserting for a fact that "disabling the
messenger service does nothing to secure your machine" is
unequivocally stating that you are assuring everyone that no
vulnerability exists in the messenger service. Or ever will.

Rationale for second change: Once you start talking about
"approaches to computer security" your comments will be taken in that
context and people will think all they need to do for good computer
security is install a firewall. Which is, in fact, a poor approach to
computer security (albeit much better than none at all). No security
expert advises a single layer approach to computer security.

 

[PCyr]

Just ignore David Candya**. He's just a troll.

--
Check out http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com for amazing tweaks and fixes

Member of "Newsgroups are for everyone"

5 Steps to computer safety:
1) Use a good quality anti-virus, and keep it up-to-date.
2) Use a firewall. The one in XP works fine, but there are better ones out
there.
3) Keep Windows up-to-date. It's your choice whether or not you want the
recommended updates, but the critical updates are just that - critical.
4) Beware of adware and spyware. There are many programs that will help to
protect your computer, but it's up to you to prevent it as well. Make sure
you read the agreement of the software before you install it. It should
tell you if it will be installing any additional programs.
5) Be cautious of attachments. Microsoft NEVER sends out attachments via
email. Always scan all attachments before opening them.

Email address is fake to prevent SPAM.
Real email address is pcyr2000 AT hotmail DOT com
Change the obvious to the obvious.
------------------
Will you stop posting this link. It misleading. It says

<Quote>

RESOLUTION



For information on how to resolve this issue, see the following Microsoft
Knowledge Base article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=330904

The steps under 'Workaround' may be most suitable for most users.

</Quote>



The steps under workaround are not suitable for any user. NetBIOS should not
be exposed to the world. NetBIOS should be disabled for the connection. A
Firewall is also a good idea and achives the same thing as disabling
NetBIOS. NetBIOS does Windows Networking. You are allowing the whole world
to visit your computer.

 

[Joh N.]

Just ignore David Candya**. He's just a troll.

You friggin' twit. He's been around here longer than your sorry and ignorant
ass, and has *always* had good answers for people, whereas you on the other
hand, are questionable at best with most of your answers. If anyone's a troll,
it's you, you ****ing idiot.
By the way, either quit your ignorant and lazy ****ing top-posting, or tell
everyone where the hell *your* sig starts, and if it's that outrageously long
piece of shit about "computer safety", you need to get a clue.

Joh N.