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#1
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Possible Virus??
I have recently obtained a laptop which is Windows XP. It seems to work fine except that I keep getting these grey boxes pop up from "messenger service" from all different people inviting me onto their web sites, I do not know how to get rid of these. Has
anyone had a similar thing? can anyone help me by suggesting how to get rid of them? |
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#2
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Possible Virus??
Turn on a firewall!
HOW TO: Enable or Disable Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;EN-US;283673 -- Hope this helps. Let us know. Wes In , Kim hunted and pecked: I have recently obtained a laptop which is Windows XP. It seems to work fine except that I keep getting these grey boxes pop up from "messenger service" from all different people inviting me onto their web sites, I do not know how to get rid of these. Has anyone had a similar thing? can anyone help me by suggesting how to get rid of them? |
#3
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Possible Virus??
Kim;
You need to enable the firewall: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673 Also see this link to help properly protect your computer: http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/security.htm -- Jupiter Jones [MVP] http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/ "Kim" wrote in message ... I have recently obtained a laptop which is Windows XP. It seems to work fine except that I keep getting these grey boxes pop up from "messenger service" from all different people inviting me onto their web sites, I do not know how to get rid of these. Has anyone had a similar thing? can anyone help me by suggesting how to get rid of them? |
#4
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Possible Virus??
Greetings --
Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?" This type of spam has become quite common over the past year or so, 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 most definitely open to other threats, such as the Blaster, Welchia, and Sasser Worms that still haunt the Internet. Install and use a decent, properly configured firewall. (Merely disabling the messenger service, as some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does little or nothing to truly secure your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" the security gap represented by these messages is particularly foolish. Messenger Service of Windows http://support.microsoft.com/default...B;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/p...e/stopspam.asp Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm If you're using AOL, you'll either need to find a 3rd party firewall that is compatible with AOL, or switch to a real ISP that is compatible with the real Internet. This is because AOL is an on-line content provider that ignores international Internetworking standards in favor of its own proprietary products, and has deliberately made its connection software incompatible with both WinXP's built-in firewall and WinXP's Internet Connection Sharing feature. AOL's proprietary connection applet is deliberately designed to preclude your setting/adjusting any of its properties, to include enabling/disabling WinXP's ICF and ICS. Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure UDP ports 135, 137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are _all_ blocked. You may also disable Inbound NetBIOS (NetBIOS over TCP/IP). You'll have to follow the instructions from firewall's manufacturer for the specific steps. You can test your firewall at: Symantec Security Check http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vr_...BYNCJEIMXQKCDT Security Scan - Sygate Online Services http://www.sygatetech.com/ Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer security. The real problem is _not_ the messenger service pop-ups; they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as a security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and you've been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this helpful? Bruce Chambers -- Help us help you: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH "Kim" wrote in message ... I have recently obtained a laptop which is Windows XP. It seems to work fine except that I keep getting these grey boxes pop up from "messenger service" from all different people inviting me onto their web sites, I do not know how to get rid of these. Has anyone had a similar thing? can anyone help me by suggesting how to get rid of them? |
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