Possible Virus

  • Thread starter Thread starter amanda
  • Start date Start date
A

amanda

I keep getting messages when i get online ...
title bar says messenger
and the message will say :

Message from SYSTEM ALERT for UNSAFE USER on 10/5/03 at
10:00 p.m.

Did you know you can stop these pop-ups forever? Go
to ????.com and download the progam.

When I look at the task manager it says is is from
csrss.exe which is a system file under system32. Is this a
virus and what do I need to do to fix it?
 
Greetings --

Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

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

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-----Original Message-----
I keep getting messages when i get online ...
title bar says messenger
and the message will say :

Message from SYSTEM ALERT for UNSAFE USER on 10/5/03 at
10:00 p.m.

Did you know you can stop these pop-ups forever? Go
to ????.com and download the progam.

When I look at the task manager it says is is from
csrss.exe which is a system file under system32. Is this a
virus and what do I need to do to fix it?
.
It is a program in your Local services.It is called
Click to expand...
messenger and you can disable it by: control
panel/performance and maintenance/administrative
tools/Services. Scoll down the list until you find
messenger, right click and disable.
I don't know why this program is there. it comes with the
windows and it is really just a nuisance but not a
threat. It may be enabled if you restart your computer
but you can Disable it again the same way. You may be
able to delete it but I haven't tried so I don't know.
Do you have zone alarm. It's an excellent Firewall
program that will actually let you know whenever a
program tries to get into your computer or get out. you
should check into it.
 
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