Re: Stop Porn Pop-ups
From: Kevin Davisł (zkevindavisz_at_cfl.rr.com)
Date: 01/02/04
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Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2004 06:16:11 GMT
On Thu, 1 Jan 2004 10:53:52 -0700, "Bruce Chambers"
<bchambers@nospamcableone.net> wrote:
> Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
>more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
>service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer
>security. The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups;
>they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as
>a security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and
>you've been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this
>helpful?
>
Oh, and don't forget that the Messenger Service would also provide a
useful service to hackers if it is not patched:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/bulletin/ms03-043.asp
Setup a firewall first, but if you don't need the Messenger Service,
turn it off. If you need it, patch it. You would also be well
advised to spend $50 and buy a home router.
Be especially wary of people who would insist on having you keep the
Messenger Service on as a "helpful feature" and conveniently
forgetting to inform you that it has a very serious vulnerability that
needs to be patched immediately.
And of particular interest is that Microsoft itself and security
experts are seriously reconsidering the role of the Messenger service:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/03/10/28/HNmessengeroff_1.html
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,113321,tk,dn110703X,00.asp
http://news.com.com/2100-7355_3-5095935.html
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/internet/11/07/microsoft.popup.reut/index.html
Here's a link where Microsoft actually outright advises the user to
turn off the Messenger Service:
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
Those who would advise not to turn off the Messenger Service for the
less than trivial unintended side benefit of being a warning is
dispensing advice which contradicts the advice of many real security
professionals.
---------------------------------------
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