Unwanted (porn) messages - how to get rid?

[Iain Mackenzie]

I've started getting unwanted porn message pop-ups on my desktop when
connected to the web. They appear when I'm only running Outlook, so I guess
it has nothing to do with IE. They have a title bar that says 'Message
Service' or 'Messaging Service' (can't remember which).

How do I get rid of this irritation?

Thanks

Iain

 

[GSV Three Minds in a Can]

I've started getting unwanted porn message pop-ups on my desktop when
connected to the web. They appear when I'm only running Outlook, so I guess
it has nothing to do with IE. They have a title bar that says 'Message
Service' or 'Messaging Service' (can't remember which).

How do I get rid of this irritation?

It's 'messenger service', and you stop it by blocking the relevant ports
at your firewall.

groups.google.com 'block messenger service spam' will give you more info
than you need.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I've started getting unwanted porn message pop-ups on my desktop when
connected to the web. They appear when I'm only running Outlook, so
I guess it has nothing to do with IE. They have a title bar that says
'Message Service' or 'Messaging Service' (can't remember

which).


It's "Messenger Service." Install a firewall which blocks the
ports these are using. You can enable the built-in Windows XP
firewall, or download and install another one such as the free
version of ZoneAlarm. To enable the built-in firewall, go to
Control Panel, double-click Networking and Internet Connections,
then click Network Connections. Right-click your connection, then
click Properties, and on the Advanced tab, click the option
"Protect my computer and network..."

 

[April]

-----Original Message-----
In bar
that says
which).


It's "Messenger Service." Install a firewall which blocks the
ports these are using. You can enable the built-in Windows XP
firewall, or download and install another one such as the free
version of ZoneAlarm. To enable the built-in firewall, go to
Control Panel, double-click Networking and Internet Connections,
then click Network Connections. Right-click your connection, then
click Properties, and on the Advanced tab, click the option
"Protect my computer and network..."

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

.

========================================================
Somebody posted this earlier & i tried it--IT WORKS--YAY!!
-april

========================================================
If They say "Messenger Service" in the top frame. There
are Several ways to do it.

Disable Method: Start > Run > Type "services.msc" >ok ,
on the services and applications find "Messenger" and
right click on it and choose properties choose "Disable"
in the middle Apply > ok.

or

Start Method : goto Start > Run > Type "msconfig" on the
Start Config. Menu go to Services Tab , go down the list
to "Messenger" uncheck, apply> ok re-boot. you will get a
warning when you re-boot >ok Done.

or

If you don't want it or need it or the Alerter Service
Delete it. Most don't, unless you are on a network, other
than your own. The Alerter Service is used on a network to
send virus alerts. You have to be on a network before
either have any use.

To Delete the Messenger Service:

Go to Start/Run/CMD and type in: sc delete messenger.
Reboot.

or

go to Start/Run/Regedit and go to this key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\
Messengerservice Delete Key. You can export it in case you
want it again,
then delete. Reboot

 

[Iain Mackenzie]

Thanks for all your help guys. In fact it was the firewall thing. I changed
my ISP and forgot to invoke the firewall on the connection.
Iain

 

[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 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

--
Help us help you:



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

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Please stop deliberately posting potentially harmful advice.

Disabling the messenger service is a "head in the sand" approach
to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to threats such as
the W32.Blaster.Worm.

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're only
advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. How is
this helpful?

Equivalent Scenario: 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 you are, replies, "Well,
don't do that."

The only true way to secure the PC, short of disconnecting it from
the Internet, is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; just
installing one and letting it's default settings handle things is no
good. Unfortunately, this does require one to learn a little bit more
about using a computer than used to be necessary.


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

========================================================
Somebody posted this earlier & i tried it--IT WORKS--YAY!!
-april

========================================================
If They say "Messenger Service" in the top frame. There
are Several ways to do it.

Snipped.....