Re: Messenger Spam Pop-Ups

From: Mcploppy (greg_at_crawford100MYSHOES.fsbusiness.co.uk)
Date: 05/01/03 

Date: Thu, 1 May 2003 19:44:22 +0100

Hi,

These messages are caused by the windows messenger service, (this *can* be
disabled) however, the messenger service is not the problem, the real
problem is the fact that you are not running a firewall, or if you are, you
haven't blocked ports 137-139.

Disabling the messenger service will stop the popups, but if you have file
and print sharing bound to your external TCP/IP connection, then you could
also potentially be sharing your entire hard disk with the world since
netBIOS uses ports 137-139.

A good firewall can be found at www.zonelabs.com

The small "ShootTheMessenger" Messenger service enabler/disabler will turn
off the messenger.

http://grc.com/miscfiles/ShootTheMessenger.exe

Or you can do it manually:

Disabling the Messenger Service
To remove the ability for anyone in the world to pop up messages on your
computer, you can disable the Messenger service. Its easy to reverse at a
later time if you wish to do so.

Windows XP Home
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
Click Performance and Maintenance
Click Administrative Tools
Double click Services Scroll
down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK

Windows XP Professional
Click Start->Settings ->Control Panel
Click Administrative Tools
Click Services
Double click Services Scroll
down and highlight "Messenger"
Right-click the highlighted line and choose Properties.
Click the STOP button.
Select Disable or Manual in the Startup Type scroll bar
Click OK

HTH 

-- 
Greg Crawford
*****************************
*      www.greg-crawford.co.uk        *
*   Remove  MyShoes  to email me   *
*****************************
 <ihatemicrosoft> typed:
:: Does anyone know if Microsoft have any plans to plug the
:: hole that allows anyone with a modem to grab hold of my
:: pc by using the gaping hole in Microsoft's XP (most
:: commonly illustrated by huge amounts of spam pop-ups
:: being sent to your pc through an "open" port with Windows
:: Messenger even when messenger is closed and you don't
:: have email etc etc) ?
:: This is annoying beyond belief, and surely Microsoft are
:: liable/negligent if they don't fix it as soon as they
:: hear about it ?