windows messenger

[Brian Russell]

I have just upgraded from Windows 98 SE to XP. I am being
barraged with a constant attack of popups. I do not want
to add another program (popup stopper, etc.) I just want
to get rid of "Messenger". Can anyone tell me how to do
it without cutting off the blood supply to other parts of
XP? Thanks. BR

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Brian;
These ads are using Messenger Service.
Messenger Service is a valuable tool many use.
Like many tools, it can be exploited.

No need to pay for the fix.
For Messenger Service ads:
You need to install or enable a firewall:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904
Disabling Messenger Service can be a good idea, but it does not solve
the real problem.
The ads are not the real problem, the ads are only a symptom.
The real problem is open ports that allow unwanted traffic into the
computer.
Disabling Messenger does nothing for the open ports.
The firewall controls the traffic.

Internet Connection Firewall will not work if you have AOL.
AOL is not compatible with Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF)
If you have AOL, you should contact AOL and/or get a 3rd party
firewall.

Disable Messenger Service:
Start/Control Panel, click Administrative Tools, click Services.
Go down to "Messenger".
Right click "Messenger" and select Properties.
Then under Start-up select DISABLE
Click OK and follow prompts

Check this link:
http://www.aumha.org/a/noads.php
Run Ad-Aware (free version) or Spybot to check for spyware:
http://www.lavasoft.de/
Or
http://spybot.eon.net.au/

For internet pop-ups, try one of these:
http://www.panicware.com/
http://www.bysoft.se/sureshot/stopthepop/index.html
http://www.popupbuster.com/PopUpBuster/
http://www.kolumbus.fi/eero.muhonen/FS/
http://www.endpopups.com/
http://www.adshield.org/

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
An easier way to read newsgroup messages:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/newsgroups/setup.asp
Please respond to newsgroup only for everyone's benefit.


"Brian Russell" > wrote in message
...
> I have just upgraded from Windows 98 SE to XP. I am being
> barraged with a constant attack of popups. I do not want
> to add another program (popup stopper, etc.) I just want
> to get rid of "Messenger". Can anyone tell me how to do
> it without cutting off the blood supply to other parts of
> XP? Thanks. BR

[Nicholas]

Prevent Windows Messenger from automatically running
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_messenger_autorun.htm

Note: Disable your antivirus program before running this script.


--=20
Nicholas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------=


"Brian Russell" > wrote in message:
...

| I have just upgraded from Windows 98 SE to XP. I am being=20
| barraged with a constant attack of popups. I do not want=20
| to add another program (popup stopper, etc.) I just want=20
| to get rid of "Messenger". Can anyone tell me how to do=20
| it without cutting off the blood supply to other parts of=20
| XP? Thanks. BR

[Amethyst]

Brian Russell wrote:
> I have just upgraded from Windows 98 SE to XP. I am being
> barraged with a constant attack of popups. I do not want
> to add another program (popup stopper, etc.) I just want
> to get rid of "Messenger". Can anyone tell me how to do
> it without cutting off the blood supply to other parts of
> XP? Thanks. BR

As the pop-ups have nothing whatsoever to do with Windows Messenger,
disabling it would be an exercise in futility. You need to install and
configure a firewall.

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


The above is courtesy of Bruce Chambers.


--
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.

[Shenan T. Stanley]

Brian Russell <> wrote:
> I have just upgraded from Windows 98 SE to XP. I am being
> barraged with a constant attack of popups. I do not want
> to add another program (popup stopper, etc.) I just want
> to get rid of "Messenger". Can anyone tell me how to do
> it without cutting off the blood supply to other parts of
> XP? Thanks. BR

Advice on Popups and their elimination:

http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#popups
or
http://tinyurl.com/el9s

You may want to look over the whole page.

--
Shenan Stanley
"Just trying to help"
-------------------------
How to use XPs Help and Support
http://tinyurl.com/fltf

How to Use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups
http://tinyurl.com/fkja

How to use Google
http://www.google.com/help/basics.html
http://tinyurl.com/fkmc
-------------------------