Re: Messenger Service Intrusions

From: Torgeir Bakken (MVP) (Torgeir.Bakken-spam@hydro.com)
Date: 04/03/03 

Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2003 02:18:34 +0200
From: "Torgeir Bakken (MVP)" <Torgeir.Bakken-spam@hydro.com>

Bill Kueppers wrote:

> I recently upgraded from Win98 to Win 2000, and am a
> single home computer user, not linked/networked with other
> computers inside or outside of my home. How do I block the
> obnoxious ads that come unbidden onto my screen, even when
> I have not been on the internet, that come via Messenger
> Service.

Hi

You can of course disable the Messenger service, but by doing only that, the
computer will STILL be open to the Internet and be pretty unsecured. The
Messenger Service messages is only the symptom, and not the cause.

You should follow the recommendations in the MS Knowledge Base article 330904:

Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

Here is the most important part of it:

"For this reason, Microsoft recommends that you install a firewall and
configure it to block NetBIOS traffic instead of merely just turning off
the Messenger service."

That means blocking internet access to ports 135, 137-139 and 445 with a SW or
HW firewall. 

--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter

Relevant Pages

  • Re: XP Web Help - urgent
    ... > advertising popups on my laptop, ... > opened any internet site. ... You can of course disable the Messenger service, but by doing only that, the ... Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • Re: Ad through messanger service
    ... > I have a Windows 2000 Pro system with Service Pack 1 that is hooked directly to ... You can disable the Messenger service to stop those popups, but by doing only that, ... the computer will STILL be open to the Internet and be pretty unsecured. ... Administration scripting examples and a ONLINE version of the 1328 page Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: messenger pop-up ads
    ... Messenger Service messages is only the symptom, ... Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears ... HW firewall. ... Administration scripting examples and a ONLINE version of the 1328 page Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter ...
    (microsoft.public.win2000.security)
  • Re: Windows XP home sp2 wireless network
    ... Also I have recently been having a big problem with pop-ups. ... Messenger Service pop-up can't contain a clickable link. ... unintentionally serves as a valid security alert. ... haven't been taking sufficient precautions while connected to the Internet. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Advertisements pouring in through IE
    ... You are reporting a problem with pop-up advertisements. ... Messenger Service pop-up can't contain a clickable link. ... unintentionally serves as a valid security alert. ... haven't been taking sufficient precautions while connected to the Internet. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)