cost for patches

  • Thread starter Thread starter mrsptl
  • Start date Start date
M

mrsptl

I received a popup regarding a critical patch that was
needed. The cost is $20 but payment is only by credit card.

Why is there a charge? Is there a number I can call to
get more info?
 
There has never been a charge for Microsoft updates. Please turn-on
your Firewall and visit the Windows Update website. An unscrupulous
website is attempting to con you!

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

Visit the Microsoft Widows Update website and check for the
availability of Critical Updates, then install them all.

Windows Update: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| I received a popup regarding a critical patch that was
| needed. The cost is $20 but payment is only by credit card.
|
| Why is there a charge? Is there a number I can call to
| get more info?
 
It's a SCAM!! Just get rid of it. There is no charge for "legitimate"
critical updates from Microsoft.
 
Greetings --

It's a scam, trying to get you to buy an update that Microsoft
provides free of charge. It's also a very clear warning that your PC
is wide open to anyone on the Internet who wants to hack it.

Does the title bar of these pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

This type of spam has become quite common over the past several
months, 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.aspx?scid=KB;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/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

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_main.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=GPVHGBYNCJEIMXQKCDT

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:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
and bridges are for sale also.....that was a
hoax....................ssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
 
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