Messenger Service
Is it still a good feature, or is it being abused?
695online the leader in low cost high quality Internet Service
continues to keep you informed of new ways spammers are attacking
you and what you can do about it. Recently we discovered how
unscrupulous marketers are using your computer to attack you.
Read the information below carefully to protect you and your
family.
Note: This is a Windows Service, not to
be confused with the Windows Messenger client that comes with
Windows XP systems.
By default, the latest versions of Windows (beyond Windows
98), to include Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP have
a service called "Messenger" that runs all the time.
This service is to enable communications (ex: server messages,
etc, across a network. However, It has come to our attention
that certain individuals are using this seemingly timid application
to wreak havoc on customers computers across the internet.
What do you mean, you ask? Let's explain:
The command is composed of the "NET" tools that
come with Microsoft File and Print Sharing as part of Client
for Microsoft Networks. The command line looks something like
this…
C:\WINDOWS\DESKTOP\>NET SEND [IP ADDRESS OF USER] [MESSAGE]
And this is what you get on your screen, as an unsuspecting
user…
How can you be "used?" 
You can test to see if your machine is vulnerable by doing
the following example:
Click on your start menu >> click run >>CMD
Then just type:
NET SEND 127.0.0.1 TESTING
If the above dialog box shows up, your computer might not
be as safe as you think…
Harmless you think ?
Imagine if someone set it in a loop, so your computer would
have a constant msg on your screen, slowing your computer
to a crawl until you couldn't navigate around.
But not to worry, We might have an answer for you. We will
show you how do disable this service, and you can go on with
your life.
First follow the diagram below to find the
service, then we will disable it. Start Menu >> Control
Panel >> Administration Tools >> Services >>
Messenger. Find messenger service on the right hand
window.
Double click >> Set "Startup Type" to Manual
>> Click Apply >> Then click STOP >> Then
OK, You are all Set!
This public service announcement is brought to you by 695online.com
the Nation Wide Low-Cost Internet Service Provider.
Media contact:
Joe Craddock
media@695online.com
386-506-5000
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