"Julie" said:
How do I remove the Windows message system that allows
random messages in the gray boxes to pop up? This is one
aspect of Windows XP I despise. I was more secure with
old Windows 95! Thanks for any helpful reply.
Well, no, you weren't more secure with Windows 95, you just weren't aware
that people were able to probe your system and send it packets that had
effects.
That sounds a bit like a smart-arse reply, so I'll explain. The Messenger
Service (which is not "Windows Messenger") is a component that displays
messages to your screen when it receives them. It's designed to be used by
system components and network peers who need to get instant messages to you
- for instance, your network admin is about to pull the plug leading to your
branch, and wants everyone there to have a warning. Or another example is
that your antivirus program is trying to tell you that it's found something
of interest.
Okay, so it's useful, but it's obviously annoying you that anyone and
everyone can send messages to your Messenger Service, rather than just local
people. Think a moment on that. The Messenger Service isn't the only part
of your system that listens for network requests - one such service is that
responsible for sharing files among other people on your network. Are you
worried that this portion of your system is receiving data from anyone and
everyone?
The answer is not to go through your system and stop or delete all services
that have network access, because that essentially removes your ability to
do anything across the network. The answer is to install / enable a
firewall into your network, so that data from the Internet reaches you only
if you asked for it.
A set of instructions on this can be found here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904
Microsoft, you've hurt yourselves with this feature.
Your customers are quite unhappy.
Sure, but mostly because you don't understand the full consequences
underlying this issue. The Messenger Service is acting here kind of like a
'canary', letting you know that your system is open to incoming packets.
Close the hole - install the firewall - and you won't see anything more from
the Messenger Service, except for local messages. Oh, one further point,
you'll also find that the Messenger Service is worth keeping around, because
it'll do its canary act again if your firewall ever fails, or becomes
compromised.
Alun.
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