messenger pop-ups

[David]

I have these pop-up messenger window ads that pop-up
while I'm online. Then I get one from byebyeads.com and
it says there is a hole in the windows xp application and
you could get a virus threw this same hole. To protect
you from this leak pay $24.95 and download this special
software. It just didn't make sense to me that a big
company like Microsoft would allow this to happen and not
have a fix for it. Let me know if there is a solution
that I just don't know about. Thanks David

[Amethyst]

David wrote:
> I have these pop-up messenger window ads that pop-up
> while I'm online. Then I get one from byebyeads.com and
> it says there is a hole in the windows xp application and
> you could get a virus threw this same hole. To protect
> you from this leak pay $24.95 and download this special
> software. It just didn't make sense to me that a big
> company like Microsoft would allow this to happen and not
> have a fix for it. Let me know if there is a solution
> that I just don't know about. Thanks David

The ports in question (137-139) are also used for more nefarious purposes
(trojans use them to 'phone home'). The only effective way (despite what Mr
Kay will tell you) is to install a firewall. The native
one will work at a pinch, though it only works one way (incoming not
outgoing). Disabling the service is like sweeping bills under the carpet -
you can't see them anymore but, if you don't deal with them the consequences
could be serious.

Install a firewall, configure it to block those ports, and rest, safe in the
knowledge that nothing can attack your computer.


--
Cassandra
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[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings David,

Do these "pop-ups" that are appearing have "Messenger Service" in their titlebar? If so, what
you're seeing is the Messenger service built-in to Windows, *not* Windows Messenger (which
are two different things) which spammers are exploiting -- this is not Microsoft, nor can
Microsoft control them anymore then they can control spam to your e-mail inbox.

To get rid of these pop ups, you'll need to disable the "Messenger Service", click Start,
then Run, enter "services.msc"and click OK. Scroll down to "Messenger", select it,
right-click and then choose Properties. Under startup type, choose 'Disabled' and then
choose the 'Stop' button. After the service is stopped, click OK. Nothing in Windows or any
real third-party applications should be effected by this.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com


"David" > wrote in message ...
> I have these pop-up messenger window ads that pop-up
> while I'm online. Then I get one from byebyeads.com and
> it says there is a hole in the windows xp application and
> you could get a virus threw this same hole. To protect
> you from this leak pay $24.95 and download this special
> software. It just didn't make sense to me that a big
> company like Microsoft would allow this to happen and not
> have a fix for it. Let me know if there is a solution
> that I just don't know about. Thanks David

[Amethyst]

Jonathan Kay [MVP] wrote:
> Greetings David,
>
> Do these "pop-ups" that are appearing have "Messenger Service" in their
> titlebar? If so, what you're seeing is the Messenger service built-in to
> Windows, *not* Windows Messenger (which are two different things) which
> spammers are exploiting -- this is not Microsoft, nor can Microsoft
control
> them anymore then they can control spam to your e-mail inbox.
>
> To get rid of these pop ups, you'll need to disable the "Messenger
Service",
> click Start, then Run, enter "services.msc"and click OK. Scroll down to
> "Messenger", select it, right-click and then choose Properties. Under
> startup type, choose 'Disabled' and then choose the 'Stop' button. After
the
> service is stopped, click OK. Nothing in Windows or any real third-party
> applications should be effected by this.
> ____________________________________________
> Jonathan Kay
> Windows MVP, Messenger
> Associate Expert
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
> Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com


Still insisting on posting this tripe, I see?



--�
Cassandra
Card carrying member of the Fresh Start Club 'The Undead Are People Too!'

Reply address is fake. Please send all praise, abuse, insults, bequests
of £1million to cassandra (at) craigy34 (dot) freeserve (dot) co (dot)
uk. Change the obvious to the obvious.
Private requests for assistance will not be acknowledged. Please post all
correspondence to the group so that all may benefit. Thank you.