Spam Blocker Information |
Kill The Messenger (Service)
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
MORE RESOURCES: Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting |
RELATED ARTICLES
Learn Simple Strategies That Will Stop Spammers From Bombarding Your Inbox! Spam filter is the solution that most people resort when they try to steam the flood of junk mails and spam.However, there is a problem!First: Some spam will still get through. How Can I Stop Getting Spam? Are you getting too much spam? We all are, but if you're a webmaster the word spam takes on a whole new meaning.It's not uncommon for the luckiest of email users to receive a dozen or so spam messages each day, while those of us who aren't so fortunate receive hundreds. ANTI-S*P^A#M: Protecting Your Web Sites Email Address(es) Did you know that there are software programs that viewweb sites and steal email addresses? It's called"harvesting" because they're harvesting your email addressfrom your site. This may be one of the reasons your web siteemail address is receiving more s*p^a#m than wanted email. Is Email Dying? 2004 was really a year when the whole subject of email and spam has been at the forefront of the minds of internet marketers.The anti Spam legislation has had more than the desired effect. The 4 Ws of Junk E-mail Junk e-mail or spam has become the scourge of the modern computer world. It eats bandwidth. Spam eMails Are Not Just Annoying - They Are A Main Distributor Of Viruses Why is someone from India, Africa, or elsewhere writing you for information about your bank account with shady promises of depositing thousands of dollars within? (Many, many people have fallen for this real scam.) It's costing us ALL money - more on this in a bit. Pst... Pass It On... I Found Out Its a Hoax When you receive an email telling you about a virus, what do you do with it? Do you send it to everyone in your address book to help them protect themselves too?A virus warning is probably on its way to your inbox right now, claiming to be from a credible source and warning you of a dangerous virus on the loose. Beware. Spam - Its Whats For Breakfast The first thing I do every morning when I wake up is head for my computer. It holds the secrets to my day. How to Fight Back BEFORE Youre Falsely Accused of Spam A friend of mine received a chilling email message from his ISP the other day. Someone had reported him as sending SPAM and the ISP warned that an additional SPAM complaint would result in losing his hosting service - period. Stop Intrusive Pop-up Ads and Regain Control of Your Online Experience! Stop intrusive pop-up ads and regain control of your online world! Intrusive and distracting pop-up windows are not an unavoidable part of being online. You don't have to put up with offensive, time consuming and bandwidth stealing pop up ads. Dealing With SPAM - An E-mail Address Strategy With SPAM being such a problem it might seem the right thing to do is never give anyone your email address. As a strategy that's not bad but it misses one rather important point; the purpose of having an email address is to be able to exchange emails, both with friends and also as a means to receive eZines from online forums and information sites. Wiki Reek-y Havoc The Vandals are coming! And this time they're after your wallets.It's a new form of insidious spam and like its inbred email cousin, it's staggeringly stupid. Spammer Stole My Email Address? Do you get bounced, or rejected emails sent by someone else, with YOUR email address in the From line? Does it mean your computer was hacked, or a spammer has stolen your email address? Relax.. How To Stop Unwanted Email Spam You can stop unwanted email spam, you can choose to reduce spam email or you can do nothing and continue to be annoyed. Those are your only choices because spam email is not likely to go away. How Spammers Fool Rule-based and Signature-Based Spam Filters Effectively stopping spam over the long-term requires much more than blocking individual IP addresses and creating rules based on keywords that spammers typically use. The increasing sophistication of spam tools coupled with the increasing number of spammers in the wild has created a hyper-evolution in the variety and volume of spam. I Must Be The Luckiest Person Alive! Spam I must be the luckiest person alive! My inbox is just crammed with good news, great advice, and millions in accounts just needing the ok from me. Right now, I've two million euros just waiting to be claimed. What to Do to Avoid Getting Banned How would you feel if you found a link on the web that was interesting to you but when you click the link it takes you to a page that is total rubbish? You are not only disappointed but it also wastes your time. Unfortunately, this is often true in many cases. Invasion of the Email Snatchers They're sneaky. And stealthy. What Exactly is Spam? Spam, as defined in the context of computers, the Internet and electronic messaging, is a term used to designate unsolicited bulk electronic messaging and communication. In particular, spam is unsolicited bulk mailings that are commercially oriented. Winning the War On Spam For years I didn't worry much about spam.But lately it's got out of control. |
home | site map | contact us |