'messenger service' pop ups

[Richard]

sometimes when i am conected to the internet i get these
annoying grey popups from companies wanting me to go th
their websites. i have windows xp pro and have never had
these problems when i used to run win 98. i have been
told that people can reach my computer by a code given
off unique to my connection and that messages can be sent
to me via this. the blue bit at the top of the windows is
titled 'windows messenger' so i wonder if this is
something related to the built in version of messenger to
xp?! i would like to get rid of these messages for good
and try to seal off this way of accessing my computer,
because surely if people can send messages via this they
could do other things to my computer too??
any help about how to stop the messages woudl be much
appreciated.
thankyou,
Richard
)

[Robert Moir]

Richard wrote:
> sometimes when i am conected to the internet i get these
> annoying grey popups from companies wanting me to go th
> their websites. i have windows xp pro and have never had
> these problems when i used to run win 98. i have been
> told that people can reach my computer by a code given
> off unique to my connection and that messages can be sent
> to me via this.

This code is an "IP Address" and every computer that connects to the
internet has one, even your old Win 98 machine. Incidentally, if you run
winpopup.exe on win 98 you'll find that can receive these messages just fine
too.

> the blue bit at the top of the windows is
> titled 'windows messenger' so i wonder if this is
> something related to the built in version of messenger to
> xp?!

No. Not at all.

> i would like to get rid of these messages for good
> and try to seal off this way of accessing my computer,
> because surely if people can send messages via this they
> could do other things to my computer too??

Maybe. It depends how your computer is configured.

> any help about how to stop the messages woudl be much
> appreciated.

Simply - install a firewall, or turn on the one that comes with Windows XP.
You'll probably also see advice to disable the "Messenger service" and this
will stop you receiving messages sure, but the messages are only a symptom
that your computer needs a firewall setting up, so you'll still have the
underlying problem around if you disable the messenger service, you'll just
have hidden one of the symptoms.


--
--
Rob Moir
Microsoft MVP for Windows / Security
www.robertmoir.co.uk

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

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

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


"Richard" > wrote in message
...
> sometimes when i am conected to the internet i get these
> annoying grey popups from companies wanting me to go th
> their websites. i have windows xp pro and have never had
> these problems when i used to run win 98. i have been
> told that people can reach my computer by a code given
> off unique to my connection and that messages can be sent
> to me via this. the blue bit at the top of the windows is
> titled 'windows messenger' so i wonder if this is
> something related to the built in version of messenger to
> xp?! i would like to get rid of these messages for good
> and try to seal off this way of accessing my computer,
> because surely if people can send messages via this they
> could do other things to my computer too??
> any help about how to stop the messages woudl be much
> appreciated.
> thankyou,
> Richard
> )