Re: Spyware - 'messenger service' popup

From: Bruce Chambers (bchambers_at_nospamcableone.net)
Date: 07/03/04 

Date: Sat, 3 Jul 2004 08:37:48 -0600

Greetings --

    I realize that you're trying to help, and that such an intent is
commendable, but please don't post potentially harmful advice.

    Disabling the messenger service, as you advise, is nothing more
than a "head in the sand" approach to computer security that leaves
the PC vulnerable to threats such as the W32.Blaster.Worm and the
W32.Sasser.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."

    An absolutely essential step towards securing the PC, short of
disconnecting it from the Internet, is to install and *properly*
configure a firewall.

Bruce Chambers 

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"DL1000RR" <DL1000RR@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2BDF1FF5-67D3-4FFA-93F1-F3C4B851CE17@microsoft.com...
> You have spy/mal ware running on your computer.
> Disable the windows messenger service by going into
> the services applet and stopping the messenger service.
>
> Search for  Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 330904
> to get details on how to do this for windows xp or 2000.
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
-------
> "PetrovP" wrote:
>
> > every now and again i get this pop-up with the
> > header 'Messenger Service,' telling me that I may be
> > infected with spyware and to kindly go to an address, eg:
> > www.spw3a.com or www.updatenow.org to fix the problem.
> > I have anti-spyware software already installed, yet these
> > damn messages keep reappearing every few minutes.
> >
> > Are they genuine messenges that can be trusted or is
> > there some sinister ulterior motive behind them?  And how
> > can i stop these things?
> >
> > Thanks for your help.
> >

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