Attn: Johnathan Kay

hello,

I am a "Windows Messenger" User and am starting to see
some problems. I have my privacy settings jacked all the
way up -- Blocking "All other Users" (Cant send me
messages - Cant see my online status) which is logical --
only reason i was forced to do so was the OVERWHELMING
amount of "adding" and messages from Arabic/Indian people.

Every morning i wake up to atleast 15 requests from random
foreigners. WHERE IS THE OPTION TO NOT MAKE MY USERID not
visible in searches. Im assuming these people are
searching somewhere and finding my name.

Additionally, if it is of use, i use a Hotmail.com for my
Passport ID.

I dont use the email anymore, i just logged in and "re-
activated" my email account after the inactivity to go in
and check to make sure there wasnt "by default" an option
that adds me to the member directory. But i see "by
default" you are not added to the member directory --
which is how it should be.

Please help me stop this nuisance. It is not right to add
software to OS that doesnt allow APPROPRIATE secuirty
controls, that make my Passport/UserID private.

thanks,

kris Angerano

"angerano" wrote in message
...

hello,

I am a "Windows Messenger" User and am starting to see
some problems. I have my privacy settings jacked all the
way up -- Blocking "All other Users" (Cant send me
messages - Cant see my online status) which is logical --
only reason i was forced to do so was the OVERWHELMING
amount of "adding" and messages from Arabic/Indian people.

Every morning i wake up to atleast 15 requests from random
foreigners. WHERE IS THE OPTION TO NOT MAKE MY USERID not
visible in searches. Im assuming these people are
searching somewhere and finding my name.

Additionally, if it is of use, i use a Hotmail.com for my
Passport ID.

I dont use the email anymore, i just logged in and "re-
activated" my email account after the inactivity to go in
and check to make sure there wasnt "by default" an option
that adds me to the member directory. But i see "by
default" you are not added to the member directory --
which is how it should be.

Please help me stop this nuisance. It is not right to add
software to OS that doesnt allow APPROPRIATE secuirty
controls, that make my Passport/UserID private.


The problem is not related to Windows or MSN Messenger but is confusing
because the messages appear in Messenger. The message system is actually
there for communication. It transmits net send and Alerter service messages
between clients and servers. Spammers have figured out a way to abuse the
service. Here's how to disable it:

Right Click on your My Computer icon and select "Manage". On the right you
will see Services and Applications. Select that, then select Services.
Scroll down until you see Messenger listed. Double click on Messenger then
change the startup type to disabled.

That's it!

Good luck.


Charles Tomaras
Seattle, WA