annoying XP spam messages

RaZor · 10-07-2003, 02:14 AM

Im sure that everyone else has gotten one of these before. Your sitting at your computer and get a popup message sent through Windows XP's messaging?? Im not talking AIM, etc. The stupid XP messaging crap. I keep getting spam from someone selling software to get rid of these messages. Can anyone provide any insight on how to get rid of these messages. There has to be a setting somewhere in XP (registry).

guitar333 · 10-07-2003, 02:23 AM

yes haha those suck. this should work

Click on the "Start" button.
Right-Click on "My Computer"
Choose "Manage" from the menu that appears.
In the left column Highlight "Services and Applications"
In the right column Double-Click on "Services".
Double-Click on the service called "Messenger".
Click the "Stop" button to stop the service.
Change the "Startup Type:" to "Manual"
Click "Apply".
Click "OK".
Close "Computer Management"

frodobaggins · 10-07-2003, 02:45 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by guitar333

yes haha those suck. this should work

Click on the "Start" button.
Right-Click on "My Computer"
Choose "Manage" from the menu that appears.
In the left column Highlight "Services and Applications"
In the right column Double-Click on "Services".
Double-Click on the service called "Messenger".
Click the "Stop" button to stop the service.
Change the "Startup Type:" to "Manual"
Click "Apply".
Click "OK".
Close "Computer Management"

That will most certainly work, but some better advice would be for him to get a firewall.

RaZor · 10-07-2003, 11:20 AM

thanks a ton guitar333!!! It worked like a charm.

yeah, i need a firewall bad....being a poor college student and not having a job has it definate downsite. I saw a wireless AP the other day that had a firewall build right in for about $160.

guitar333 · 10-07-2003, 03:16 PM

check out zonealarm, its great. they have a free version

http://download.com.com/3120-20-0.ht...arm&tg=dl-2001

noodles · 10-07-2003, 05:13 PM

Firewalls cause more problems than they solve.

I suggest not installing things unless you're sure what you're getting. Run some spyware checks (download AdAware) to see if you've got some sneaky files on your computer.

guitar333 · 10-07-2003, 05:51 PM

i dont know what firewall you have tried but my Mcafee firewall is the best. I know what ports are opened by what programs and can set access to certain programs. cause before I had a firewall there were all kinds of unknow connections and ports open in netstat.

Spybot search and destroy is good for spyware

frodobaggins · 10-07-2003, 06:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by noodles

Firewalls cause more problems than they solve.

This is an untrue and overly-opinionated statement. The only time a firewall will cause problems such as this is through either a) poor programming b) user ignorance

kami333 · 10-07-2003, 10:40 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by frodobaggins

This is an untrue and overly-opinionated statement. The only time a firewall will cause problems such as this is through either a) poor programming b) user ignorance

Amen.

Firewall (both incoming and outgoing)
AV
Patches
Don't always login as admin

W6-Ryan · 10-08-2003, 12:10 AM

Unless you are really sure what you are doing I'd avoid installing a firewall, just disable the messaging service. I'm so sick of this con that the security industry has pulled on people. There is no need for a personal firewall. Crackers are not interested in your personal box. Worms, yes... but you avoid worms by keeping a patched box. On top of that software "firewalls" are just as bad as any other form of software even zonealarm was exploitable recently... point is if you don't know what a firewall is don't install it. Working at my previous job I can't remember how many times the customer service department walked over to IT with customer complaints of this and that not working on our website.... only because Joe Internet user was some *** hat that installed zone alarm because hackers were going to get his child pr0n or what ever he had... ended up blocking all sorts of **** and disabling java and cookies and got knows what else... bah </rant>

TiTUS · 10-08-2003, 12:58 AM

Windows Messenger Spam Elimination Freeware

In addition to being a security risk, Windows'
"Messenger Service" is being used to "Spam"
Windows users across the Internet.

This 22 kbyte "Shoot The Messenger" utility gives users
immediate control over the Windows Messenger service.

This website has a great little program for turning off that annoying feature..

Shoot The Messenger

It's also a good website to look around at, and has a good firewall tester too... I highly recommend this site.

ZoneAlarm is a good firewall and has never failed me.

TiTUS

W6-Ryan · 10-08-2003, 01:16 AM

Get a spare box and install astaro security linux http://www.astaro.com screw windows based solutions bah!

( of note there is a free license for home / hobby use )

kami333 · 10-08-2003, 09:04 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by techm3

Unless you are really sure what you are doing I'd avoid installing a firewall, just disable the messaging service. I'm so sick of this con that the security industry has pulled on people. There is no need for a personal firewall. Crackers are not interested in your personal box. Worms, yes... but you avoid worms by keeping a patched box. On top of that software "firewalls" are just as bad as any other form of software even zonealarm was exploitable recently... point is if you don't know what a firewall is don't install it. Working at my previous job I can't remember how many times the customer service department walked over to IT with customer complaints of this and that not working on our website.... only because Joe Internet user was some *** hat that installed zone alarm because hackers were going to get his child pr0n or what ever he had... ended up blocking all sorts of **** and disabling java and cookies and got knows what else... bah </rant>

Seems like your company's website is exactly why I have a firewall

Expoitable, yes, but once the exploit is known it is usually patched. However, it's the users job to keep the patches up to date. Just like a car, to have it run properly you need regular maintenance. You can't expect it to keep running new like forever if you never change the oil.

chut · 10-08-2003, 09:17 AM

I'd have to go along with Frodo and all the rest on that one. thank god for our firewall. If yours isn't working correctly read the manual, it will probably help. Home users still have programs like Quicken and others with which to keep track of their finances. That is ultimately "tasty" data to any unsavory individual.

frodobaggins · 10-08-2003, 01:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by techm3

Unless you are really sure what you are doing I'd avoid installing a firewall, just disable the messaging service. I'm so sick of this con that the security industry has pulled on people. There is no need for a personal firewall. Crackers are not interested in your personal box. Worms, yes... but you avoid worms by keeping a patched box. On top of that software "firewalls" are just as bad as any other form of software even zonealarm was exploitable recently... point is if you don't know what a firewall is don't install it. Working at my previous job I can't remember how many times the customer service department walked over to IT with customer complaints of this and that not working on our website.... only because Joe Internet user was some *** hat that installed zone alarm because hackers were going to get his child pr0n or what ever he had... ended up blocking all sorts of **** and disabling java and cookies and got knows what else... bah </rant>

Quote:

...... is through either a) poor programming b) user ignorance

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