XP SP2 to ditch Messenger

[dnuggett]

SP2 will ditch Messenger and activate ICF by default.

The scoop

 

[spyordie007]

well I think it's a good thing that they are enabling the built-in firewall on a default install but dont see a need to disable the messenger service (if their firewall does the job it's supposed to do than there isnt a need to disable it). There are a number of software packages that make good use of the service and this would mean that the service would have to be enabled to make use of them. For example, if the utility power to my servers is to drop I get a messenger popup from the UPS software so that I know immediatly.

ICF on the other hand would have really made the Blaster Worm a non-issue.

-Spy

 

[spyordie007]

oh yeah, I believe the pop-up messages that Sophos anti-virus gives are also via the messenger service so it would need to be enabled for those to work too :|

Time to update my group policy so that it stays enabled.

-Spy

 

[CTho9305]

I thought ICF *was* on by default... it annoyed the heck out of me.

 

[spyordie007]

it's not on by default on ethernet connections, but it may be on dial-up connections.

I think the number of people who get their internet connection via dialup are now the minority, and of course the importance of a firewall on an intermittant connection is less important than a continous connection anyways.

-Spy

 

[EeyoreX]

Actually, dial-up use is still the majority for a majority of the population. It is only among users like us forum members that the situation is reversed. Anyhow, I think it depends on how the broadband connection is set up for ICF to be enabled or not. If using Windows XPs PPPOE feature when you set your connection up it sets ICF on by default. I use a router, and you are right, other ethernet connections dont have ICF on by default.

<edit>Oh yeah, and I like disabling messenger service by default. I am aware many programs put it to good use, but I think a majority of Windows users don't use the service. Those that do need it and use it can easily enable it, and are probably knowledgable enough to do so and maintain security of their boxes.</edit>

\Dan

 

[fredtam]

(if their firewall does the job it's supposed to do than there isnt a need to disable it)

Because it is a part of XP and used on networks most if not all firewall software allows messenger popups.

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: fredtam

(if their firewall does the job it's supposed to do than there isnt a need to disable it)

Because it is a part of XP and used on networks most if not all firewall software allows messenger popups.

That's because ICF isnt a very good firewall, any decent software firewall is not (at least by default) going to allow messenger popups. The free version of zonealarm does not allow access to the messenger service 😉

-Spy

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: spyordie007

Originally posted by: fredtam

(if their firewall does the job it's supposed to do than there isnt a need to disable it)

Because it is a part of XP and used on networks most if not all firewall software allows messenger popups.

That's because ICF isnt a very good firewall, any decent software firewall is not (at least by default) going to allow messenger popups. The free version of zonealarm does not allow access to the messenger service 😉

-Spy

Hell any NAT based router blocks the messenger popup crap.