Windows Messenger

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shirley
  • Start date Start date
S

Shirley

Please, someone, anyone, tell me how to rid my computer
from this most annoying program. How can anyone work
online with those "Windows Messenger" alerts constantly
appearing in front of your face?
 
I don't get any alerts, other than those I want. What are you
seeing/hearing?
 
Greetings --

Are you confusing Windows Messenger (an instant messaging
application) with the messenger Service? Does the title bar of these
pop-ups read "Messenger Service?"

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.)

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
 
Really? I'm having the same problem, and it started
right after a reformat and fresh Windows XP install and
before I even began surfing. The only surfing I've done
since is for download updates for software reinstalls and
on the MS website to try to find a solution to this
problem. I've enabled my firewall, and there are fewer
popups now, but they're still happening. Often right in
the middle of my hubby's Links 2003 golf game, causing
the game to minimize (much to his dismay). So back to
Shirley's original question, how can one disable
Messenger Service or whatever it is that's causing these
interruptions?
 
In Windows Messenger, go to TOOLS, OPTIONS, select PREFERENCES, and uncheck
"run the program when windows starts", and " allow this program to run in
the background".
 
If you use OE, Windows Messenger will still start up even with the preferences
mentioned below.

Paul
 
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