messenger virus????

[Dave]

recently my computer has started to create popup windows
by itself, i get a message saying something like:
messenger services (in the window header) and in the
window is a random message an example could be that it
tells me to download a patch from www.windows-patch.info
or that i can call a telephone number to obtain a diploma.

these things seem odd to me and there is no way i can
find the program that is making these popups, all i can
track it back to is csrrs.exe

if anyone tried something similar i would like to know
how to get rid of this........... thank you

Dave

 

[phoenix]

recently my computer has started to create popup windows
by itself, i get a message saying something like:
messenger services (in the window header) and in the
window is a random message an example could be that it
tells me to download a patch from www.windows-patch.info
or that i can call a telephone number to obtain a diploma.

these things seem odd to me and there is no way i can
find the program that is making these popups, all i can
track it back to is csrrs.exe

if anyone tried something similar i would like to know
how to get rid of this........... thank you

Dave

Get a firewall and make sure you know how to close the ports and this
problem you're having is called Messenger Spam, do a quick search on google
for a solution.

Regards

Bill

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

This type of spam has become quite common over the past year or
so, 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 undoubtedly open to other threats, such as the Blaster Worm that
still "haunts" 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 (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?


Bruce Chambers

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