Windows Messenger

How the heck can I stop this from popping up with less
than polite messages?!?!?!?! These gray boxes, one on top
of another, are driving me CRAZY! I've right clicked on
the program, gone to properties, but don't know what to do
next. I thought I'd stopped it (supposedly) from opening
when my computer turns on - but now it's still happening!
HELP!
(Thanks)

deborag wrote:

How the heck can I stop this from popping up with less
than polite messages?!?!?!?! These gray boxes, one on top
of another, are driving me CRAZY! I've right clicked on
the program, gone to properties, but don't know what to do
next. I thought I'd stopped it (supposedly) from opening
when my computer turns on - but now it's still happening!

Hi

You can disable the Messenger service, but by doing only that, the
computer will STILL be open to the Internet and be pretty unsecured. The
Messenger Service messages is only the symptom, and not the cause.

You should follow the recommendations in the MS Knowledge Base article 330904:

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

Here is the most important part of it:

"For this reason, Microsoft recommends that you install a firewall and
configure it to block NetBIOS traffic instead of merely just turning off
the Messenger service."

That means blocking internet access to ports 135, 137-139 and 445 with a SW or
HW firewall.

http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm#firewall

Some general information about popups and how to stop it:
http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm#pop-ups



--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter