Windows Messenger spam
Many Windows based computers worldwide are still affected by Windows Messenger Service spam - please note that we are talking about the Messenger Service in Windows, and not about the well known Windows Messenger application, used by many Windows users to communicate with other people.
The Messenger Service is a built-in Service that comes with Windows operating systems, and is included in all NT-based operating systems like Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 and Windows XP. The purpose of this service is to relay messages between clients and servers, originating from NET SEND commands or the Alerter Service. Here is the description provided by Microsoft about this common service: "Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start."
Although this service has proper uses - to transmit messages between computers in a local network, it can be used by spammers outside your location, to send spam to your desktop. In such cases, your desktop may show annoying unwanted message windows, popping up ond screen without any other explanation, even when you are not using a browser or any other program. Such spam message windows will usually show information highly similar to what you receive in your mailbox via junk mail, promoting certain categories of products and services that are commonly promoted via spam by spammer companies. Such messages will appear on your desktop while your computer is connected to the Internet.
The situation occurs due to spammers taking advantage of available exploits for Windows Messenger Service. You can easily get rid of this problem in two ways - first by simply disabling the Messenger Service - from Control Panel - Administrative tools - Services. Set the status of the Messenger Service to disabled, and also stop it. Alternatively, if you need Messenger Service running on your computer for any reason, you may block such unwanted spam messages by simply installing a firewall in between your computer and/or local network, and the Internet - the firewall, if configured properly, will effectively block all such unwanted spam messages from reaching your desktop.
The Messenger Service is a built-in Service that comes with Windows operating systems, and is included in all NT-based operating systems like Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows 2003 and Windows XP. The purpose of this service is to relay messages between clients and servers, originating from NET SEND commands or the Alerter Service. Here is the description provided by Microsoft about this common service: "Transmits net send and Alerter service messages between clients and servers. This service is not related to Windows Messenger. If this service is stopped, Alerter messages will not be transmitted. If this service is disabled, any services that explicitly depend on it will fail to start."
Although this service has proper uses - to transmit messages between computers in a local network, it can be used by spammers outside your location, to send spam to your desktop. In such cases, your desktop may show annoying unwanted message windows, popping up ond screen without any other explanation, even when you are not using a browser or any other program. Such spam message windows will usually show information highly similar to what you receive in your mailbox via junk mail, promoting certain categories of products and services that are commonly promoted via spam by spammer companies. Such messages will appear on your desktop while your computer is connected to the Internet.
The situation occurs due to spammers taking advantage of available exploits for Windows Messenger Service. You can easily get rid of this problem in two ways - first by simply disabling the Messenger Service - from Control Panel - Administrative tools - Services. Set the status of the Messenger Service to disabled, and also stop it. Alternatively, if you need Messenger Service running on your computer for any reason, you may block such unwanted spam messages by simply installing a firewall in between your computer and/or local network, and the Internet - the firewall, if configured properly, will effectively block all such unwanted spam messages from reaching your desktop.
This information is provided without any warranties of any kind. Use it at your own risk. Terms and conditions