blocking messenger service

[coops]

How can I block the windows messenging service? I do some work for a small school and they have about 30 computers and the kids are sending messages back and forth and they want to stop it. Any ideas on the easiest way to do this?
thanks
Brent

[brianskurka]

Are they using winpopup.exe or net send?

------------------
Brian J Skurka
LAN/MAN Administrator
MCSE
Compaq Notebook 1800T Windows XP, Intel 1.0 GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, 20 Gig HD, CDRW/DVD

[coops]

good question as I am to too familiar with the program. The little message box pops up but I have seen the winpopup.exe in the run box on a few computers. I am not sure if teh entrie netowrk gets the message or only specified workstations

[MACH2]

well a little more network info would help.. like NT server? nodes running 98? mach

[coops]

basically it is a win98 peer to peer network with the workstations mainly acting as standalones but sharing printers and a few files as well as internet connection through a proxy which is a NT4 workstation(?)..
some machines can be seen in netwrok neighbourhood since they are sharing stuff but the others are hidden.
I am not there rght now but wanted to see if there were any ideas I can find before I go there in a couple of days.

[MACH2]

Well two considerations.. Small school?? private school? If school admins want to just quit the communications because they are frivolous is one thing if they're sharing good information aside from cheating thats good too. Or again being rural it may be just a better way of chatting vrs going home and limited phone time etc..

In otherwords like in any company.. the tool can be useful. Control the chat software, i.e. non internet accessible. log it make it available for everyone to see what is poping up. Or if internet accessible.. then set a time period where chat will be accessible if class or grade performance is good.

age of commmunications.. don't throw the baby out with the bath water. mach

[rdraper]

Coops & Mach12,

I have a similar situation, (although in a business environment, not school) and I need to control what users Download and install.

I have say 10 users on a peer to peer running Win98....is there a program i can use to help me control what they download or keep them off the internet??

[rounder]

Party Pooper!

[MACH2]

rdrapper.. (coops, too) Best thing is to establish a company wide policy. As admin., one can filter out url*.exe cleaning zip files from emails etc.. @ the server but many downloads i.e. freeware or shareware don't have the admin built in protocols to prevent installation from the source. Other annoyances include gifs, jokes, links to sites and ending with costly efforts to combat.

Best to present a policy of awareness including bringing diskettes from home etc. for work purposes security including virus risks. Mind you there are some completely free and wonderful apps with 'nonags' that corporate life could use, but still should be checked out by admin policy and tested. Pirated software can bring significant penalties, even after a trial period these should be deleted.

The above represents a client senerio where the employees were to "sign" an agreement to eliminate undesired activity. (not that the door is closed but controlled.) Overnight these activities stopped immediately.

hope it helps. mach

[MACH2]

rounder LOL party pooper? I didn't suggest that. The author is asking questions.. I think with a small school they could learn a lot using it together or for learning. hey should we send you up there in the middle of nothing? (for which I haven't been there) I'm for using the tools but responsibly.. I'm sure you're not a pizza brainer!!

[rdraper]

Lance1 forwarded me a link to great little app for use in Win98...

PC Lock 98 Is a pretty good program for that. This is just a 30-day trial so if you like it, buy it online www.pclock98.com