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may be a spoof
I recieved a pop-up that looked like it was from
microsoft saying they had found spy-ware on my computer.Just click here to remove it.Has anyone else had this in the last few days? |
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#2
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may be a spoof
Greetings --
Other than this being a glaringly obvious scam, it's a warning that your PC is very unsecured. And these messages are most definitely not "from Microsoft." Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?" This type of spam has become quite common over the 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 may well be open to other threats, such as the Blaster Worm that recently swept cross 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 Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm HOW TO Enable or Disable Internet Connection Firewall in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/default...;en-us;Q283673 If you decide on a 3rd party firewall product, 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 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 wrote in message ... I recieved a pop-up that looked like it was from microsoft saying they had found spy-ware on my computer.Just click here to remove it.Has anyone else had this in the last few days? |
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