Unwanted ad

This ad is not the usual ad that my ad blocker stops. I'm hoping someone knows what it is and how to prevent it. Here is what I know.

It is a Mesenger ad, but that is all it says re its origin. I have Windows Messenger and Yahoo Messenger. I have AOL IM and ICQ for that matter.

It is a non-obtrusive ad with 2 versions. One advertises some online college. The other one, new to me for the first time today, was advertising something about healthy living...at least I caught the word "wrinkles" before I got rid of it. (Should have read it more carefully, but the persistence of the ad, even though infrequent, irritated me!!!)

It just appears...small, black type on a gray background in the middle of the monitor with a Close button. I don't remember what was on the mSize is oh about 3" x 6".

So if this is sufficient information for someone to realize where it's coming from and what, if anything, I can do to prevent the ads appearing, I WILL BE DELIGHTED.

John

Try disabling Windows Messenger by Start/Run, type services.msc, scroll down to and double click on Messenger and disable it.

Read this Thread

Thor gave you the RIGHT answer.
Also, this happens to broadband users, so the question is why you are not using a firewall yet???
Here is our opinions of the best Firewalls

By the way are Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger one and the same program?

John

nope completely different. but people are starting to spam the net using the messenger service in windows. just disable the service and you'll be fine.

I have no idea why that service is enabled by default in the first place.. normal users have no need for that..

correct me if I'm wrong but from what I know is the windows messenger like the novell broadcast service. which is used to broadcast over the network.

Unfortunately, Win XP comes with the net messaging service which is enabled by default. If you have a router, these are normally blocked (with the net messaging service only works on the same ip/subnet segment and since once past the router, you are on a diff ip segment, the messages can't reach you), but if you don't have a router, you'll want to disable the message service...

but what would a regular desktop user need with this service enabled.. certainly users that needed it know exactly where to turn it on.. why not disable it by default?

Just a nice wonderful feature MS never thought of....

You're right that most people don't need it and probably will never use it (heck, may never even know of it's existance). They just thought that every computer will need admin messages sent to it from the network admin :D

I agree on a network, it might be useful. But then that is where the network admin could come in and set it up on a machine, perhaps write a script that lets the admin activate it remotely..

Imagine those poor souls getting those stupid popup adverts thinking it is spyware LOL

there are some services that use Messeger. For example symantec antivirus. Of course, again this is for networks.
I know there are more programs or services that could use this service. Still you can always check the dependencies (Clcik on Properties) to make sure you are not killing anything else with it

True...always check dependencies whenever messing with services....I know of someone who disabled his RPC service by mistake :O

Funny thing, when we were playing MOHAA the other week, I removed my router and connected my pc directly to the cable modem. I do not kid you, I got roughly 5 messages in the time we were playing.

I feel bad for those people who don't know what they are are "deal" with them.

Well I have now selected "Disable" re Windows Messenger, but I'm baffled As to why my Sygate (free version) didn't stop the "University diploma" spam described in the virginia.edu link.

John (Wumply)

Actually, now that I think about it, My Sygate was set to "allow" Windows Messenger but I don't think the free version of sygate was ever intended to block spam.

John

Well, I had ZA to stop those messenger windows (by default) when I had my router down, and I never received one whil ZA was up. Without firewall I used to get at least one every 15 minutes

:boom: :spam2: :fire: :spam:

Quote:

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Originally posted by wumply
By the way are Windows Messenger and MSN Messenger one and the same program?

John

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Wumply, I think you've gotten a bit confused here along with some others. To stop this spam you have to disable the "Messenger" in the Services menu (Control Panel, Administrative tools, Services). This has nothing in common with Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger which are "instant messaging" programs.

There is no need to block Windows Messenger in your Firewall.

That was a good call Conan.:D
I guess it gets confusing with 3 messengers around from M$
1) Windows Messeger (or MSN Messenger included with XP 4.7)
2) MSN messenger (MSN 5, 6)
3) Messenger (Service included with Windows NT, 2K, and XP, and I guess 2003, and longhorn to provide Net send and alerter mesages)
At lest this is in my PC :p