annoying messenger popups....(going slightly off topic)

"Mcploppy ©" wrote in message
...
Hi,

These messages are caused by the windows messenger service, however, the
messenger service is not the problem, the real problem is the fact that
you
are not running a firewall, or if you are, you haven't blocked ports
137-139.

Disabling the messenger service will stop the popups, but if you have file
and print sharing bound to your external TCP/IP connection, then you could
also potentially be sharing your entire hard disk with the world since
netBIOS uses ports 137-139.

A good firewall can be found at www.zonelabs.com


I know this is going off topic of messenger, but should I still install zone
alarm, even though I have the xp firewall enabled, I too have networked two
pc's together and I'm concerned about security. I have already disabled the
messenger pop-up one.

Thank you
Michelle

Hi,

Apparently the xp firewall only blocks incoming traffic, it doesn't control
what is actually being sent out. Do a test of your system at
http://grc.com/

I use ZA pro on my network with two pc's. I'm not sure how the normal ZA
handles a network.



Tiger-lily typed:
:: "Mcploppy ©" wrote in message
:: ...
::: Hi,
:::
::: These messages are caused by the windows messenger service, however, the
::: messenger service is not the problem, the real problem is the fact that
you
::: are not running a firewall, or if you are, you haven't blocked ports
::: 137-139.
:::
::: Disabling the messenger service will stop the popups, but if you have
file
::: and print sharing bound to your external TCP/IP connection, then you
could
::: also potentially be sharing your entire hard disk with the world since
::: netBIOS uses ports 137-139.
:::
::: A good firewall can be found at www.zonelabs.com
:::
::
:: I know this is going off topic of messenger, but should I still install
zone
:: alarm, even though I have the xp firewall enabled, I too have networked
two
:: pc's together and I'm concerned about security. I have already disabled
the
:: messenger pop-up one.
::
:: Thank you
:: Michelle

"Mcploppy ©" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Apparently the xp firewall only blocks incoming traffic, it doesn't
control
what is actually being sent out. Do a test of your system at
http://grc.com/

I use ZA pro on my network with two pc's. I'm not sure how the normal ZA
handles a network.


Thank you, I'll do that