Pop-up ads from my cable network? (via 'net send')

[Cat]

I'm a new cable modem user (previously used DSL,) and I'm pretty annoyed by these advertisements that I assume are being generated from within my cable network. I'll get these pop-up dialog boxes with text, describing cigars, calling plans, etc. What's REALLY annoying is that it will happen while I'm playing games, and bringing me back to the desktop so I can enjoy another 'Click the OK button to close' message.

It's like someone is using (from the command line) "net send <AD TEXT HERE> *", because it will say MESSAGE FROM CALLING_FREEDOM to xxx.xxx.xx.xxx (my ip), and then rest of message.

1.) Is this legal? Being spammed on my own network better not be.
2.) Has anyone ever had this happen before?
3.) How do I disable acknowledgement of /net send?

 

[singh]

3.) How do I disable acknowledgement of /net send?

Disable the Messenger Service.

 

[kgraeme]

This is the new and rampant abuse going around. I'm running a basic Linksys router/firewall and never see them, though I get them at work where we don't have a firewall blocking the port it uses. Keep in mind that while disabling the Messenger Service is a popular recommendation, the service is used by some parts fo the system to handle telling you when things are having problems or such. NetBIOS comes to mind.

 

[MedicBob]

LOL, I never thought of using net send to spam advertisements to others. Just amazed. Call your ISP with the net send information and they should be able to stop it. If the decide not to, or just for general info there is a shutdown program with the resource kit that might help, it can shutdown remote computers. i haven't read about it too much, but my "friend" occasionally does it to me when we are on a LAN.


There also is a possibility of creating a script to spam them back for as long as you can stand having a slow connection.

Of course, google will be your best friend in research and your ISP should put a relatively quick stop to the spam net sends.

 

[Woodie]

Why are you still allowing NetBIOS over IP on your Internet connection??? Disable it!

 

[Cat]

Thanks for the excellent replies. I'm not able to trace the messages back, but I could if I installed a small firewall to log incoming events. I thought NetBIOS over TCP/IP was disabled by default in XP, but it merely inherits from the DHCP server (by default.) Now I've disabled it.