Nuisance messages that may not be MS.

[lefty]

For many weeks I have been receiving frequent incessant
nuisance "pop-up" messages on the Web claiming to originate
from Microsoft, warning me of the dangers of nuisance
"pop-up" ads and other messages and offering software to
block them. Some of them have the message identity
"MS03-043" and they urge me to contact a site named
"www.***.com" where *** is variously "blockmessenger,"
"stopmessenger," or "killmessenger." I thought I
understood that Microsoft does not promote upgrades or
other software in this manner. Can someone advise me
whether these messages are genuine MS or counterfeit, or
possibly a virus, and whether or not they offer anything of
value? Thanks for your assistance.

 

[Taurarian]

They're not MS.


http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/restrictedsites/stoppopups.asp
Prevent Pop-up Ad Windows When Browsing with Internet Explorer

http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html
Spyware, Popups, Anti-Virus & Firewalls

 

[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

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

--
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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[Unprofessional Professional]

it is just another one of many flaws in windows. install the latest updates
from microsoft.

 

[Mike P]

Disable messenger service in admin tools and get a
firewall

 

[matt]

Get the google toolbar to block pop ups. Also stay
current on critical updates, get an anti virus software
and firewall like zone alarm