Windows Messenger
 

I know Windows xp comes with windows messenger preinstalled, so I downloaded and ran "shoot the messenger" a program by steve gibson. I then downloaded msn messenger and use that. msn messenger doesnt run until I sign in which isnt automatic. Windows messenger is defintely disabled yet a mate of mine started sending me messages before I`d signed into msn messenger. The messages were coming through on the windows messenger chat box, even though its disabled. Any help with this is appreciated.

Re: Windows Messenger
 

If you want to completly remove MSN Messenger forever then run this command:


rundll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %systemRoot%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove


This will remove MSN Messenger that is installed with windows xp, you can then install msn 6.1

Re: Windows Messenger
 

i dont want to remove msn messenger its windows messenger I want to remove

Re: Windows Messenger
 

this will remove WINDOWS MESSENGER

RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection %windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove





whooooooooops . wheres me manners , :welcome: to the site bobna :)


edited because of my own braindeath :D

Re: Windows Messenger
 

oh right thought u were talking about the IM version

Disable the Windows Messenger service.

Control Panel > Admin Tools > Services > Messenger >

Double Click on Messenger, stop the services, then set it to disabled.

Re: Windows Messenger
 

I have already done that, yet mate is still sending me messages on the windows messenger box .It is defintely the windows messnger box because I`ve shut msn 6.1 down

Re: Windows Messenger
 

:confused: have u restarted the computer since?

If you have then I would advise a spyware scan.


Why would M$ have this on by default - it just screams abuse :dunce:

Re: Windows Messenger
 

Its been disabled for months, it was just tonight that mate started sending messages on it, so I checked to see if it was still disabled and it was, so I`m puzzled.
Anyway, I`ve now downloaded program to get shut of it forever, so thanks for everyones help.

Re: Windows Messenger
 

yeah thats another way to remove it,

Re: Windows Messenger
 

make sure 'allow people not on my contact list to send me messages' isn't enabled in MSN Messenger. I think it might be enabled by default :O

And Windows Messenger, the one that comes pre-loaded with Windows XP, is no danger at all. In fact, it won't even let you connect without downloading an updated version!

The thing that you want to disable is the Windows Messenger Service which is a completely different thing. Designed years and years ago, it allows network devices to send messages directly to the screen; for example a printer might telll you it was out of paper. It does no harm either, but the messages are annoying. The thing is though, if people are managing to send you net send messages over the internet, then it's a sign that you're not adequately firewalled. If they can send a message to that port, they may be able to take advantage of real Windows vulnerabilities. Download Zonealarm, or even switch on the XP Firewall without delay!

Re: Windows Messenger
 

The trouble you have been having is that xp comes preinstalled with both the messenger service (used to send messaged without an IM client) and Windows Messenger 4.7.

You have disabled the messenger service (a good move in my book) but you haven't got rid of that annoying MSN version 4.7. Even if you go and download the latest version of MSN (6.1) unless you use the line quoted by PY666 then the old version is still active on your system.

Another problem is if you go and run windows update after you have removed version 4.7 it tries to get you to reinstall it!!!!! I don't know what the love affair is with version 4.7 but Microsoft are adamant that people should have it.

Follow the instructions above and you should be a fine, just remember not to let windows update reinstall it :)

Re: Windows Messenger
 

Steve Gibson is a fool. He tries to make out he's an uber white hat hacker out to save the world, but really he's nothing more than a glorified spin doctor. Anyone ever read his pieces about how raw sockets in XP was gonna bring about the downfall of the WWW as we know it? Hahaha - it's hilarious reading!

If you've ever visited grc.com, then you definitely need to visit http://grcsucks.com :D

I wouldn't touch any of his apps personally.

Re: Windows Messenger
 

lol, you read the story about how a 13 year old script kiddie brought his site down too lol

Re: Windows Messenger
 

Ever disasembled any of his code. How much do you know about his software engineering background or the fact that he was envolved with the original berkly sockets program...

He may go off on one and exagerate a bit but his coding is very clean and well written..... Still you are entitled to your opinion of corse :)

Any way - Back on topic !

Re: Windows Messenger
 

I stopped windows messenger totally not by editing the registry i just went into c:\program files\ & renamed the folder to messengeriscrap :)

Re: Windows Messenger
 

yeah but if a 13 year old can bring his site down ,which premotes network security, he must still have something to learn !!!!

Re: Windows Messenger
 

If what happened happened ( and I am not saying it did ) then the site would go down no matter how good at security you are.... Thousands of computers can bring a site to its knees no matter how good the security of the site is. I see it almost every day !

Still thats for another thread :)