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A couple of times now I have gotten these spam messages that windows seems to let right in. They pop up in a message box titled "Messenger Service".
Is this some sort of security hole? I am running a firewall, but somehow this crap is getting through, presumably via some windows process.
If anyone knows how to disable this 'feature' I would appreciate it.
NetBios is your security hole. Probably port 137.
To disable the exploit, you can disable windows messenger.
To patch the hole, you prolly need a different firewall, or your firewall is misconfigured. What firewall are you using?
see this thread, too
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...hreadid=130629
Unlike M$N Messenger,this is a "service" that can be used for business messages over a network. For a good look at what services can be turned off and how,you might want to look at black vipers suggestions. http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm
I use Sygate personal firewall. I could easily set it to block the port, but instead I used the information you guys gave me and disabled the service using the following sequence:
control panel
performance and maintenance
administrative tools
services
scroll down to messenger and highlight it and then right click. hit properties. stop the service then under startup type select disabled. hit apply then ok.
I think that should do it. Thanks all.
You can turn off the Messenger Service if you don't need it. But unless you block the port you're allowing these scumbags access to your PC - who knows what else they might be doing. If I were you I'd get a firewall that works.