windows messenger

In article <032401c3472b$7a1d1d00$a501280a@phx.gbl>, "Julie"
<someday_lily@msn.com> wrote:

>How do I remove the Windows message system that allows
>random messages in the gray boxes to pop up? This is one
>aspect of Windows XP I despise. I was more secure with
>old Windows 95! Thanks for any helpful reply.

Well, no, you weren't more secure with Windows 95, you just weren't aware
that people were able to probe your system and send it packets that had
effects.

That sounds a bit like a smart-arse reply, so I'll explain. The Messenger
Service (which is not "Windows Messenger") is a component that displays
messages to your screen when it receives them. It's designed to be used by
system components and network peers who need to get instant messages to you
- for instance, your network admin is about to pull the plug leading to your
branch, and wants everyone there to have a warning. Or another example is
that your antivirus program is trying to tell you that it's found something
of interest.

Okay, so it's useful, but it's obviously annoying you that anyone and
everyone can send messages to your Messenger Service, rather than just local
people. Think a moment on that. The Messenger Service isn't the only part
of your system that listens for network requests - one such service is that
responsible for sharing files among other people on your network. Are you
worried that this portion of your system is receiving data from anyone and
everyone?

The answer is not to go through your system and stop or delete all services
that have network access, because that essentially removes your ability to
do anything across the network. The answer is to install / enable a
firewall into your network, so that data from the Internet reaches you only
if you asked for it.

A set of instructions on this can be found here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904

>Microsoft, you've hurt yourselves with this feature.
>Your customers are quite unhappy.

Sure, but mostly because you don't understand the full consequences
underlying this issue. The Messenger Service is acting here kind of like a
'canary', letting you know that your system is open to incoming packets.
Close the hole - install the firewall - and you won't see anything more from
the Messenger Service, except for local messages. Oh, one further point,
you'll also find that the Messenger Service is worth keeping around, because
it'll do its canary act again if your firewall ever fails, or becomes
compromised.

Alun.
~~~~

Lately i am getting a lot of window messages and they are
asking me to spend money for a third party stopper...
My Question is, Is there a way eo stop the harrassment
other than through a third party???
How can I stop it???

Turn off the messenger service

Right Click My Computer
Select Manage
Expand the Services and Applications Tree
Select Services
In the right hand pane scroll down to Messenger
Righ click Messenger and select Properties
Press the Stop Button
Change the Starup Type to Disabled
Press OK

This is not Windows Messenger

Messenger is a built in service to sending and receiving Net Send and
Alerter messages.
It is not necessary to be running. Most people never use it.

Regards
Mark Dormer


"Ted Stark" <taterntot@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:071a01c378c9$4a711370$a301280a@phx.gbl...

> Lately i am getting a lot of window messages and they are
> asking me to spend money for a third party stopper...
> My Question is, Is there a way eo stop the harrassment
> other than through a third party???
> How can I stop it???

I have more than 40 MSMSGS opened ports in my XP Firewall
settings due to Windows Messenger on my home machine. Are
they all really neccassary? Is there any way to prevent
them from dynamically getting created? I have another
machine at work with a static IP address that is
configured exactly the same that only has 2 opened MSMSGS
ports constantly. The number of opened MSMSGS ports on my
home machine always vary. Can anyone tell me why one
machine constantly has only 2 opened ports and one has
more than 20 opened ports at a given time?

For expert Windows Messenger advice:

Please visit the experts in the Windows Messenger newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsof...wsxp.messenger

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

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

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"bishop" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message:
news:7a7d01c3e854$9e8b6be0$a001280a@phx.gbl...

| I have more than 40 MSMSGS opened ports in my XP Firewall
| settings due to Windows Messenger on my home machine. Are
| they all really neccassary? Is there any way to prevent
| them from dynamically getting created? I have another
| machine at work with a static IP address that is
| configured exactly the same that only has 2 opened MSMSGS
| ports constantly. The number of opened MSMSGS ports on my
| home machine always vary. Can anyone tell me why one
| machine constantly has only 2 opened ports and one has
| more than 20 opened ports at a given time?

is windows messenger going to be corrected in Windows XP SP2?

cuz right now if u tell it not to automatically load it still does.

Mine doesn't load when Windows starts. What exactly are you trying to
accomplish?

"hi" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0CEAC985-6BDB-4F4A-B9D6-46871A42091F@microsoft.com...

> is windows messenger going to be corrected in Windows XP SP2?
>
> cuz right now if u tell it not to automatically load it still does.