Users surfing with port 135 open and Microsoft's advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Oli Restorick [MVP]
  • Start date Start date
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Oli Restorick [MVP]

Now that the Blaster worm has done so much damage, don't you think it's
about time Microsoft changed its advice on pages such as the following?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp

The section about disabling the Messenger service should either be deleted
or carry a huge warning and definitely a link to information on patching and
the blaster worm.

There are still questions being posted on the newsgroups by people wanting
to know how to stop messenger spam. I'm guessing these same people are
surfing without the MS03-026 patch.

Oli
 
Not sure I follow the logic...

This article shows how to stop Messenger spam. The advice is to turn on ICF.
I'm failing to see how MS03-026 and Messenger spam are remotely related but
DO see the advice will stop both.

Thoughts?
 
They are not related, except that if you get Messenger spam then you're
vulnerable to the Blaster worm.

The page gives the easy option of turning off the Messenger service, which
does indeed stop the spam. Most users who are non-technical will go for the
easy option and carry on surfing with no firewall.

I actually meant to post the Windows 2000 version of that article which, of
course, doesn't have ICF.

Oli
 
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