Alerts in Windows XP = ads

[xlurkerx]

I just reformatted and changed to Windows XP (had 98 before) and today I'm getting windows alerts which are advertising products. How the hell?

The ironic thing is they're advertising a product to stop the ads. Of course they cost $24.95 etc

Anyway I can stop them without paying 25 bucks?

[Strygun]

I'll type up how when I get out of PS.. sorry....

lol

[NiteTiger]

Here you go, from my groups forums:

Disabling Windows Messenger Service (Not MSN Messenger) (http://www.thenightcrew.org/php/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=52)

[Strygun]

Unfortunatly with that link you have to log in.

Here's the quick and easy way:

My Computer
Change a Setting (also known as control panel)
Performance and Maintenance
Administrative Tools
Services
Scroll down to "Messenger"
Right click, Properties
Startup Type Dropdown, select Disabled.

Viola, done.

[ObnoxiousFrog]

I had that EXACT SAME PROBLEM. Once i got my HD reformatted and my PC upgraded it all went away. I think they're routing these things using Windows Messenger and the ads themselves are the tell messages that you would normally get if somebody who was saying something that you gave a damn about was sending you a message.

[NiteTiger]

Ah crap, sorry about that, thought it was in the open access area.

[Strygun]

Nah, Messenger and Windows Messenger are 2 totally different programs. Messenger is a like Winpopup32 (if anyone remembers that from Win98), which is a little inter-network communication system. You can send messages from 1 box to another if you knew it's IP, or were on it's network.

People abuse Messenger because all you need is someone's IP and you can send them these stupid advertisements.

It's a useless feature unless you work in business.

[diluted]

how do you actually use messenger?

[Khronos]

to use windows messenger, (make sure it is enabled on both computers you are sending from/to)

go to run>type cmd

command prompt should open up.

from there, type::

net send "ip or computer name here" "message here"

then hit enter.

ex: net send COMPNAME hello this is a test

[NiteTiger]

Just my luck, I try to help and make a fool out of myself. Let me try for redemption:

If you don't like/feel comfortable with playing around in the "services", then just get a good firewall, like ZoneAlarm, that blocks all ports on your computer. This will prevent these messages as well.

[Squick]

Not to give you all a lecture in network security or anything, but if they are able to send you "net send" messages that means your 135-137 net bios ports are wide open to any other "net" command, most obviously net use...

If you wana try something neat, go to start, run, CMD, <enter> Then at the prompt type "ipconfig" and note down your IP. Then type "net use y: \\YOUR_IP\c$" <enter> And there you go, full access to your C drive if you are running XP/2k. Now of course someone would need your password, but at least one of you right now has a routeable IP on his or her machine, no firewall software, and a blank password...

Please download a free firewall or use XP's integrated firewall, it is better then nothing... The last thing we need is another wave of zombie DDOS attacks...

[Setari]

What scares me is that I'm startin to get spam messages on..*gasp* my cell phone. I learned that these ppl are sendin these things like popups. When you delete one another gets sent to you.

[Strygun]

I use my router's built in stuff. It's good =)