popup's from messenger service

[Malcolm]

Hi,

I have recently re installed XP. since then I now get some annoying messages
coming up with messenger service, there are about 20+ adverts telling me to
go to different sites and purchase some software to block these.

Anyone know of how I can stop these annoying messages from popping up.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Kelly]

Hi Malcolm,

You need to turn turn on the firewall.

To disable the Messenger Service:

Go to Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services. Double click the
Messenger Service and change Automatic to Disabled, then click the Stop
button.

Or use this automated edit:

Disable Messenger Service (Line 95)
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Home PC Firewall Guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/

More information and options here on using a Firewall:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_m.htm#ms

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 navigate to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services

It may be wise to disable the Administrative Alerts Service as well.
Specify the Schedule for Alerter Service - This setting is used to specify
how often the server checks alert conditions and sends any required alert
messages to administrative users.
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/832/

Running ZoneAlarm and/or blocking incoming port 135 should be sufficient to
stop things.

To enable XP's Internet Connection Firewall
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q283673

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[LN];Q330904

NOTE: Direct quote from the developers of this software:

"Notice: Please do not use this software for spamming. If you do so, you
will take full responsibility for your actions. This software is made to
send advertising or system messages to your own network".

To file complaints write to:
http://www.directadvertiser.com/contact.html

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

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/

Disable Messenger Service:
Start/Control Panel, click Administrative Tools, double click
Services.
Go down to "Messenger".
Right click "Messenger" and select Properties.
Then under Start-up select DISABLE
Click OK and follow prompts

Also see:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/security.htm

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

I have recently re installed XP. since then I now get some annoying messages
coming up with messenger service, there are about 20+ adverts telling me to
go to different sites and purchase some software to block these.

Anyone know of how I can stop these annoying messages from popping up.

Hi

You can disable the Messenger service, but by doing only that, the
computer will STILL be open to the Internet and be pretty unsecured. The
Messenger Service messages is only the symptom, and not the cause.

You should follow the recommendations in the MS Knowledge Base article 330904:

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=330904

Here is the most important part of it:

"For this reason, Microsoft recommends that you install a firewall and
configure it to block NetBIOS traffic instead of merely just turning off
the Messenger service."

That means blocking internet access to ports 135, 137-139 and 445 with a SW or
HW firewall.

http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm#firewall

Note that Windows XP comes with i builtin firewall, I suggest you
enable it.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi,

I have recently re installed XP. since then I now get some annoying
messages coming up with messenger service, there are about 20+
adverts telling me to go to different sites and purchase some
software to block these.

Anyone know of how I can stop these annoying messages from popping
up.

Thanks in advance.

This type of spam has become quite common over the couple of
years, 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
swept across the Internet last year and the currently active Sasser
Worm. 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

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