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  • Thread starter Thread starter Vince
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Vince

I just bought a new HP computer with Windows XP. I have
a cable connection and the pop up grey text messages are
driving me crazy. I get 40-50/day. Is there a way to
stop these? Can something be done in XP to turn this off
or do I have to buy a program. I don't know why I didn't
have this problem with my old computer, WIN 98.
 
I think that you are refering to messenger spam,
the reason that you did not have it before is
because it is a new craze, the messeges only
when logged into windows messenger/ msn messenger,
if so then just log out and get a different messenger
i.e yahoo, aol etc.
 
Hi,

Enable the native firewall to block the messages.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x

Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
 
Vince said:
I just bought a new HP computer with Windows XP. I have
a cable connection and the pop up grey text messages are
driving me crazy. I get 40-50/day. Is there a way to
stop these? Can something be done in XP to turn this off
or do I have to buy a program. I don't know why I didn't
have this problem with my old computer, WIN 98.
Click to expand...

I find great success using the free web browser, Mozilla, available at
www.mozilla.org
 
Greetings --

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

This particular "sales method" is strikingly similar to the
"protection" rackets offered to small businesses by organized
criminals. Yes, it's a scam; no reputable business would need to
resort to extortion. Particularly since they're trying to sell you a
type of protection that is already available to you free of charge.

This a type of spam has become quite common over the past few
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. Install and use a decent,
properly configured firewall. (Disabling the messenger service, as
some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does nothing to
secure your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up with" these
messages and the problem they represent 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


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
 
Vince said:
I just bought a new HP computer with Windows XP. I have
a cable connection and the pop up grey text messages are
driving me crazy. I get 40-50/day. Is there a way to
stop these? Can something be done in XP to turn this off
or do I have to buy a program. I don't know why I didn't
have this problem with my old computer, WIN 98.
Click to expand...

First, read my signature. It has links that lead to web pages that may help
you find your own answers next time.

You need to enable either your built in firewall or install and configure a
third party firewall. (the only people I KNOW cannot do the built in
firewall are you poor AOL users. AOL, in their genius, has futzed up some
works and the built in software doesn't work with AOL, you WILL have to get
a third party application and learn to use it - sorry - it's the price you
pay for going AOL, I guess. heh)

Advice on Popups and their elimination:

http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#popups
or
http://tinyurl.com/el9s

Advice on Firewalls:

http://www.fracas.net/newsgroups/generaladvice.html#firewalls
or
http://tinyurl.com/el9u

You may want to look over the whole page.

More Information:

Here's what "Mike Nash" - a Microsoft representative - had to say when
asked the question you are askig now. This was OVER a month ago, and in
March 2003, the same question was asked of another couple of Microsoft
Employees, whose answer was (at the time) to disable the messenger service.
(Keith Combs and Kai Axford) Eek. Well, you really need the firewall too.
Both articles can be found at:

http://tinyurl.com/hftn
and
http://tinyurl.com/hftq

(Shortened for convenience, they are Microsoft Sites..)

Host: Mike Nash (Microsoft)
Q: I have windows XP and I have been having those stupid messenger popups. I
have gone to the sites and they say that Microsoft is the one putting it
out. I don't believe it and would like to know if it is true. If it is how
can i get rid of it?
A: First, Microsoft is not the source of the Messenger spam that youre
talking about. Second, the quickest and easiest way to get rid of unwanted
Messenger popups with Windows XP is to enable Internet Connection Firewall
(ICF). There are more details, as well as instructions for getting rid of
pop in all types of deployment scenarios in Knowledge Base article 330904
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;330904). Directions
to enable ICF are located in Knowledge Base article 283673
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;283673).
 
This is not MSN/Windows Messenger, it is the "messenger
Service" in Windows XP. to stop this goto your control
panel, goto Admin Tools>>Services>>Scroll down
to "Messenger" double click on it, and select "Disable"
instead of Auto. This will fix it for u
Click to expand...
That only cures the symptoms and NOT the cause! The OP needs a firewall.
 
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