Kill Messenger Service Pop Up
Hello,
I use Eudora as my e-mail client. When I view mail, sometimes, I get these pop-up windows that render, with the title bar reading "Messenger Service". There's the typical Spam garbage in the main area of the window and then an "Ok" button at the bottom. I simply just close the window. I'm using XP Pro. Is this Messenger Service part of the OS? Or do you think it's a pop-up ad coming in from an e-mail. Or, do you think it's part of some Spy Ware app? I just did a re-install of my OS and loaded on my primary software. I haven't downloaded any freeware or shareware apps that might contain spyware. These pop-ups just started.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jack
I use Eudora as my e-mail client. When I view mail, sometimes, I get these pop-up windows that render, with the title bar reading "Messenger Service". There's the typical Spam garbage in the main area of the window and then an "Ok" button at the bottom. I simply just close the window. I'm using XP Pro. Is this Messenger Service part of the OS? Or do you think it's a pop-up ad coming in from an e-mail. Or, do you think it's part of some Spy Ware app? I just did a re-install of my OS and loaded on my primary software. I haven't downloaded any freeware or shareware apps that might contain spyware. These pop-ups just started.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Jack
0
Comments
This basically means port 139 is open on your computer, and the spammers are using this to send you messages.
Basically, get a firewall, and make sure port 139 is closed or in stealth mode.
Have a look at the earler thread for more info 'DOS net send'.
mD
In services
Block port 139, this will make you a lot more secure to net bios exploits.
ATM if you have shares with no password, anyone can access your files.
mD
I disabled it in Services. I found a good link on how to do this:
disable messenger services
Thanks again,
Jack
I cant tell you how easy it is to get access to your computer when this port is open.
mD
Thanks for the recommendation. I've been doing research on firewalls and routers (though routers don't offer as much protection as a good firewall). Linksys and Netgear, for routers, keep popping up with fairly decent reviews. I'll make sure it has SPI.
Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks.
Any comments?
Thanks again,
Jack
You can get decent protection from a router if you set up the port redirection correctly.
ie make port 139 redirect to port 139 on an ip that doesnt, and will never exist on your network. This will make the port look closed to an attacker.
A good way to test the security of your computer is at http://www.grc.com head over to the sheilds up thinger over there to see how your doing.
mD
Thank you again for your recommendations. I'd like to get further advice from you.
I've downloaded zonealarm. In the future, would you recommend a hardware firewall (or router) over a software firewall like zonealarm? Or should I consider using both?
Thanks again, too, for the grc.com recommendation. It's first report, before zonealarm, was pretty frightening.
J.
Zonealarm is pretty crappy, but it beats getting your computer screwed up by some lamer.
mD
Also, don't be too paranoid about internet security, 'cause if someone with the skills REALLY wants in, there isn't a heck of a lot you're going to do to stop them... the firewall's to keep the 14 years olds, practicing with hacking guides, that could make a mistake and actually hack you
I ran it on a Dell 486 66MHz with 32mb of RAM, and it was pretty good.
An easier option is Freesco, which boots off a disk, and its a bit simpler.
mD
Off to get a router today.
Thanks, kanezfan, for the clarconnect.org recommendation. Sounds interesting and I'm going to check it out.
J.
LOL, and... oooops!
A lot of people who have not tried this seem to thnk it cannot be that this is bettr than ZA, but it has proven to be equal to or better than ZA and use less of your computer resources.
John Danielson.
thanks,
mike
Thanks again,
Mike
Spywareblaster
Spybot Seak & Destroy
Ad-aware
Avast - antivrus
AVG - antivirus
AntiVir - antivirus
Firewalls as per earlier posts
Ed^