WinXP real annoying Messenger Service pop-ups!

[Socio]

I keep getting these damn pop up messages and can not figure out how to stop them. They will pop up at any time, I could be on-line playing UT2K3 and get them, typing a letter, reading a web page, does not matter. If I am away from my computer for a while I will have a dozen of the damn things waiting for me.

I tried Ad Ware and remove everything it found but the pop ups still persist, I stopped every non vital service running but the pop ups still persist; I even disabled Windows Messenger, still no luck. At the top of the pop-ups it says Messenger Service, anyone familiar with these pop ups and know how to stop them?

Note: Every so often I do get one of those pop-ups that advertise where I can stop them but I have to buy their program to make them stop which is more like black mail if you ask me.

Thanks for any help

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Open up the "Services" manager...
Scroll down to the "Messenger" service..

This is not to be confused with MSN Messenger.. it will just be listed as "Messenger"
Description: Sends and receives messages transmitted by administrators or by the Alerter service.

Double click on the "Messenger" service.. Now, click on "Stop"
Once the service is stopped, you can then "Disable" the service if you do not need it.. which most regular users will not

 

[josphII]

most detailed post ever....

what are the messages saying?

 

[stash]

Do yourself a favor and get a firewall...hell, even a broadband router that does NAT. Plugging your broadband connection directly into your computer is just asking for trouble.

 

[MedicBob]

Originally posted by: STaSh
Do yourself a favor and get a firewall...hell, even a broadband router that does NAT. Plugging your broadband connection directly into your computer is just asking for trouble.

Kinda funny how almost everyone who gets these doesn't have a firewall and is on broadband. I hope you have an antivirus.

You can disable the messanger service or get a firewall/NAT device.

 

[skyking]

You can disable the messanger service or get a firewall/NAT device.

I'd do both, or at least run zonealarm.

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Are there certain ports that the messenger service recieves these spam attacks on???

 

[Socio]

JOSEPHLB,

Thanks! That did the trick

josphII,

They are advertisements for different websites and products, even porn; you know your typical spam crap.

STaSh,

You are right, I will get firewall software either Zonealarm or Norton ASAP!

Thanks again!

 

[bsobel]

Kinda funny how almost everyone who gets these doesn't have a firewall and is on broadband. I hope you have an antivirus.

As designed, these spammers walk known ip ranges (schools, broadband users, etc). Anyone with a fw or who has an ISP that blocks the ports doesnt see it. Darn annoying for those who do.

Bill