Re: Anybody have a 'spybot' worm?

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospamcableone.net)
Date: 10/04/03 

Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 13:19:23 -0600

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:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
You can have peace.  Or you can have freedom.  Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
"Br0wnbear" <brownbearat@canadadotcom> wrote in message
news:arttnvcgac7972kp8m6dh2pepkraqe8qsl@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 4 Oct 2003 09:34:08 -0700, "hummer" <tbyrd2@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> >My kids computer has picked up this W32.spybot.com worm
> >that I can't get rid of, my Norton antivirus seems
> >inactive against it. ALSO, these messanger service POP-UP
> >ads are driving me nuts. Any help greatly appreciated.
> For me going nuts is a short trip, but thats personal.
>
> Try one of the spyware removal programs that are free for personal
> use.
> Adaware - www.lavasoftusa.com
> and/or
> Spybot Search & Destroy - http://security.kolla.de
>
> This will be a start. If you don't need the messenger service (not
> related to internet messenger)
> Turn that off. (I am assuming you have Windows WP)
> Start - Control Panel - Administrative tools - Services
> Right click on messenger
> Select properties
> change it to manual.
>
> Life might come back to normal.
>
> hth
> jbrown
> brownbearat@canadadotcom
> remove the at and the dot and the mail will come ;)
> o did i say put in a .

Relevant Pages

  • Re: How to remove messenger service window?
    ... It gives you the ability to have a desktop icon that you can use to toggle messenger ON and OFF. ... The true problem is the unsecured computer, and your only advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. ... 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. ... Perhaps you should read what real computer security specialists have to say about Steve Gibson's "security" expertise. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Internet pop-ups
    ... but please don't post potentially harmful advice. ... symptoms" approach to computer security still that leaves the PC ... is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; ... > (NOT MSN/Windows Messenger) service. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Instant messager service
    ... but please don't post potentially harmful advice. ... sand" approach to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to ... is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; ... > then double click Messenger and set it to Disabled. ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.general)
  • Re: how do I tirn off messenger service pop ups
    ... Merely disabling the messenger service, as you suggest, is a dangerous "head in the sand" approach to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to threats such as the W32.Blaster, W32.Welchia, and W32,Sasser worms. ... The true problem is the unsecured computer, and your only advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. ... 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. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Unexpected adult content popping up
    ... sand" approach to computer security that leaves the PC vulnerable to ... advice, however well-intended, was to turn off the warnings. ... is to install and *properly* configure a firewall; ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)