Is there a way to disable the e-mail system of Windows XP?

[Arcadio]

is there a way to disable the e-mail system, or whatever you call it, in Windows XP? This would prevent spambots from sending spam. Right?

I need to do this on a few public computers. Disabling it won't affect web mail anyways, so users won't know the difference.

 

[Crusty]

Firewall

 

[Arcadio]

Originally posted by: Crusty
Firewall

but which service do I block once I've installed the firewall? Do I block a specific program or service?

 

[corkyg]

The built-in, default email program in XP is Outlook Express. Go into tools and options and remove any and all Internet connections shared with IE. In effect, disable OE, and don't allow any other mail handler software to be installed.

 

[RebateMonger]

Spambots typically have their own sendmail program installed by the malware itself. They don't need Outlook or Outlook Express at all, except maybe to steal your addressbook.

Outbound traffic will normally be sent to external mailservers that are listening on TCP Port 25.

 

[mechBgon]

If you need to secure public computers, then one way to do that is outlined here... http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html The combination of non-Admin user accounts and a disallowed-by-default Software Restriction Policy, set up as shown there, is a very solid foundation to build on.

For WinXP systems, there's also Windows SteadyState, a freebie.