Junk Instant Messages 2

[GwydionM]

I have recently moved from Windows 98 to Windows XP, and on both systems I use AOL on the internet. The first couple of days, I got junk 'Instant Messages' within AOL, with the sort of offer that only a complete fool would respond to. These then stopped, and I'd hoped it was finished, but today I got another one.

Does anyone understand what's going on? Any suggestions how I fix it?

 

[bcastner]

Most firewalls will stop these messages. You can also right-click My Computer, Manage, Services, Services, and scroll down to Windows Messenger. Stop the service, and set its startup to disabled.

 

[YBNormal]

Try following thses steps to turn of Instant Messenger Service from within windows xp and see if it helps.

Turn Off the Windows Messenger Service

When enabled, the Windows Messenger Service allows pop-ups, to appear on your screen. You should have the Messenger Service title listed at the top of the window.

Microsoft Windows Messenger Service pop-up

NOTE: Disabling the Windows Messenger Service will not affect the functionality of AOL Instant Messenger™, Yahoo® Messenger, MSN® Messenger, or other chat programs you may have on your system.

To turn off the Windows Messenger Service, perform the following steps:

Click the Start button, then click the Control Panel icon.
The Control Panel window appears.

In the left window pane, click the Switch to Classic View option.

Double-click the Administrative Tools icon.
The Administrative Tools window appears.

Double-click the Services icon.
The Services window appears.

Scroll down the list in the right window pane, and double-click the Messenger listing.
The Messenger Properties window appears.

Click the drop-down button next to the Startup type: listing.

Click to select the Manual listing.

Locate the Service status: listing and click the Stop button.

The Service Control window appears briefly.
The Windows Messenger Service has now been disabled.

Click the Apply button.

Click the OK button.

Close the Services window.

In the Administrative Tools window, click the Back button.
The Control Panel window appears.

In the left window pane, click the Switch to Category View option.

Close the Control Panel window

Imagine if every Thursday your shoes exploded if you tied them the usual way. This happens to us all the time with computers, and nobody thinks of complaining.
- Jeff Raskin

 

[GwydionM]

Thanks.
Next question, does anyone know why this is included as a default? I could see it in an office environment, where everyone was trustworthy, at least if they wanted to keep their job and were concerned not to have colleagues 'accidentally' spill coffee on them. But why open up a pointless path of vulnerability.

 

[bcastner]

The Messenger service is used by several common devices. For example, by UPS uses the service to notify me of any power problems.

I disagree with you that it is a "vulnerability", but I agree it can be a source of annoyances. You might consider my earlier advice to you to use a firewall approach to this problem. Even the native ICF firewall will block these messages.

 

[ATST]

This fixes it once and for all. Go to Start > Run and type:

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove

Yes, bye, bye Messenger!!! bwaahaha (evil grin)

You should also go to Outlook Express
Tools/Windows Messenger/Options/Preferences,
and turn off Automatic updates, or it will nag you to download the Critical Updates "to improve connectivity and system performance, even if you do not use Windows
Messenger, Microsoft recommends that you install this update."
- yeah right!

 

[bcastner]

ATST,

Wrong "Windows Messenger."

The messsages are from the Messenger service, not the eponymous client.

 

[Missbarbara]

As many people either may not want to go into the system to turn off Messenger or for whatever reason are unable to do so, there is a very small programme that can be installed which enables the user to turn Messenger off for the session.

The programme - 'Stop Messenger Spam 1.0' can be found at:-

http://www.stopmessengerspam.com/

The site contains quite comprehensive information as to the 'why's' and 'wherefor's' including graphical instructions should anyone wish to turn Messenger off completely.

Barbara