PREVENTING MESSAGE SERVICES BOXES

[Crookies]

I am windows XP. My internet options are set to prevent
users gaining access to my files via the internet.
However, I keep getting message service boxes flashing up
on my screen. One was for the web set www.luxbar.com
(which is porno) and another example is www.b-op.com
(about getting paid for surveys). How can I stop these
messages??

I have downloaded the latest software for XP from the MS
site and I expected these messages to stop. Freeserve,
my ISP, has recommended that I need to purchase software,
which will stop the unauthorised messages appearing.
They have also stated that receiving messages can also
mean that someone is accessing my pc and data stored on
it. I am very concerned about the situation. Can anyone
advise me on the best course of action?

Ideally, I would like my MS software to provide a
firewall, are there any changes that I need to make to
stop these intrusions?

Please help.

[Shenan T. Stanley]

"Crookies" <> wrote in message :
> I am windows XP. My internet options are set to prevent
> users gaining access to my files via the internet.
> However, I keep getting message service boxes flashing up
> on my screen. One was for the web set www.luxbar.com
> (which is porno) and another example is www.b-op.com
> (about getting paid for surveys). How can I stop these
> messages??
>
> Please help.

Turn on ICF or turn off the Messenger service.
ICF is the built in firewall you ask for. Do a Help & Support (START ->
Help and Support) search on Firewall or ICF.. It will tell you how to enable
it.

Note however, that if these are Internet popups and not Messenger popups,
only a program like Popup Stopper, etc will stop them effectively.

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

This a type of spam has become quite common over the past few
months, and unintentionally serves as a valid security "alert." It
demonstrates that you haven't been taking sufficient precautions while
connected to the Internet. Your data probably hasn't been compromised
by these specific advertisements, but if you're open to this exploit,
you may well be open to other threats. Install and use a decent,
properly configured firewall. (Disabling the messenger service, as
some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does nothing to
secure your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" these
messages and the problem they represent is particularly foolish.

Messenger Service of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893

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

Additionally:

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm


Bruce Chambers

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----
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having both at once. -- RAH


"Crookies" > wrote in message
...
> I am windows XP. My internet options are set to prevent
> users gaining access to my files via the internet.
> However, I keep getting message service boxes flashing up
> on my screen. One was for the web set www.luxbar.com
> (which is porno) and another example is www.b-op.com
> (about getting paid for surveys). How can I stop these
> messages??
>
> I have downloaded the latest software for XP from the MS
> site and I expected these messages to stop. Freeserve,
> my ISP, has recommended that I need to purchase software,
> which will stop the unauthorised messages appearing.
> They have also stated that receiving messages can also
> mean that someone is accessing my pc and data stored on
> it. I am very concerned about the situation. Can anyone
> advise me on the best course of action?
>
> Ideally, I would like my MS software to provide a
> firewall, are there any changes that I need to make to
> stop these intrusions?
>
> Please help.
>
>
>
>