Re: Pop-Up Messenger Span

[Miha Pihler]

Hi Max,

here are some instructions from Microsoft:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

Mike
"Max" > wrote in message
...
> Running Win XP Pro and am getting tons of those grey
> Pop-Up Spam Ads coming thru the Windows Messenger!!!
> XP Pro with Service Pac 1 is supposed to block these
> and I've checked to make sure the ICF (Firewall) is ON.
> WHO Can Tell me the Proceedure(s) to Shut Off This SPAM
> Thru Messenger!?!? Thanks.
>

[Robert Moir]

Max wrote:
> Running Win XP Pro and am getting tons of those grey
> Pop-Up Spam Ads coming thru the Windows Messenger!!!
> XP Pro with Service Pac 1 is supposed to block these
> and I've checked to make sure the ICF (Firewall) is ON.
> WHO Can Tell me the Proceedure(s) to Shut Off This SPAM
> Thru Messenger!?!? Thanks.

I see you are using AOL. There is a problem with the way they setup their
internet connections differently to most of the rest of the world that stops
the ICF from working.

To cure the symptoms of this problem, find the services applet in control
panel, Performance and Maintenance, Administrative Tools and then find the
"Messenger" service, stop it and set it to "disabled".

To cure the underlying problem consider a 3rd party firewall that AOL are
not in a sulk with!


--
--
Rob
MS MVP
http://www.robertmoir.co.uk

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

This particular "sales method" is strikingly similar to the
"protection" rackets offered to small businesses by organized
criminals. Yes, it's a scam; no reputable business would need to
resort to extortion. Particularly since they're trying to sell you a
type of protection that is already available to you free of charge.

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

Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

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

You will have to obtain a 3rd party firewall, as AOL has
deliberately made their connection software incompatible with WinXP's
built-in firewall. AOL's proprietary connection applet is
deliberately designed to preclude your setting/adjusting any of its
properties, to include enabling/disabling WinXP's firewall, which is
connection-specific.


Bruce Chambers

--
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You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"Max" > wrote in message
...
> Running Win XP Pro and am getting tons of those grey
> Pop-Up Spam Ads coming thru the Windows Messenger!!!
> XP Pro with Service Pac 1 is supposed to block these
> and I've checked to make sure the ICF (Firewall) is ON.
> WHO Can Tell me the Proceedure(s) to Shut Off This SPAM
> Thru Messenger!?!? Thanks.
>