Find Sporting Goods on eBay
Video and Audio], Broadcasting and podcasting Real Time Media On The Net

[description], Story, any other text you want to use.

Kill The Messenger (Service)

 by: Stephen Bucaro

You are familiar with the software applications that you run on your computer, but you may not be familiar with the dozens of programs running in the background on your computer. These programs, called "services" handle tasks like event logging, spooling files to the printer, and networking. One of these services, the Messenger Service, can be reconnoitered by spammers.

The original purpose of the Messenger Service was to allow system administrators to send a message to some or all of the users on a network. The message appears in a popup window to alert the users. Messenger Service is not instant-messaging. It does not allow the users to respond.

All Windows versions install Messenger Service and turn it on by default. A program freely available from the Internet allows spammers to control the Messenger Service on hundreds of thousands of computers on the Web. Users receive popup spam windows that are not generated by the website they are visiting.

If your computer is on a network behind a firewall, or you have a firewall application installed on your computer, it can be configured to block access to the Messenger Service. Most firewalls are configured by default to block access to the Messenger Service. If not, configure your firewall to block port 135, the port used by Messenger Service.

Microsoft, in their ignorance of computer security, likes to leave "back doors" to your computer open. But they finally wised up and Windows XP Service Pack 2 turns off the Messenger Service. If you are running Windows XP, your best bet would be to install Service Pack 2 to turn off the Messenger Service and close several other security holes.

If you are running Windows 2000, you can turn off the Messenger Service manually. Select "Run..." in the Start menu and in the "Open:" text box type services.msc, then click on the "OK" button. In the "Services" window that appears, right-click on "Messenger". In the "Properties" dialog box that appears, click on the "Stop" button and then in the "Startup Type" drop-down list select "Disabled". Then click on the "OK" button.

If you are running Windows NT, select "Services" in the "Adminstrative Tools" utility. Then disable the Messenger Service as described above. If you are running Windows 95/98/Me, you can't disable Messenger Service, you need to remove it. Use the "Add/Remove Programs" utility in Control Panel to view the details of "System Tools". Uncheck the box next to "WinPopUp".

Now, with the Messenger Service on your computer disabled or removed, spammers will have to go back to annoying you the old fashion way - with spam email.

--

Permission is granted for the below article to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are made and the byline, copyright, and the resource box below is included.

About The Author

Copyright(C)2004 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com. To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter Send a blank email to subscribe@bucarotechelp.com


hdtv widescreen
radio 1
cable tv descrambler
web site design
rfdtv
iran online radio
digital satellite
internet audio services
web hosting
streaming video server software
audio stream
dtream
broadcast internet performance
free dish network satellite system
tv repair

Main Menu
Real Time Media On The Net
Site Map

Affiliate Ads, Links, news, etc.

News for 16-Nov-24

Source: BBC News - Home
The longest kiss

Source: BBC News - Home
Kabul nights

Source: BBC News - Home
500 years later

Source: BBC News - Home
Israel settlements: Netanyahu snubs 'shameful' UN vote

Source: BBC News - Home
Crash survivor: 'I put my seatbelt on'

Source: BBC News - Home
Sri Lankan court acquits five men in Tamil MP murder trial

Source: BBC News - Home
All heart

Source: BBC News - Home
Ken Matheson: Former British Cycling coach says 'culture of fear' exists

Source: BBC News - Home
Chile anger as jailed Pinochet reign abusers ask forgiveness

Source: BBC News - Home
George North: World Rugby wants more information from RFU over 'non-compliance'


Links
Links
Links
Google

Fantasy Football Information | Net Meetings | Medical Newscast | Medical Newscast
Copyright © 2005. Name of Site here. Last Updated: Saturday, 16-Nov-2024 00:00:27 MST.
Medical Meetings   Forum On The Net   Kids Meet