Firewall Test

Fix Microsoft Messenger Vulnerability

Fix Messenger

Below is information on how to disable the net send messenger service.  If you're not using the Windows instant messenger, you should disable that as well.

Net Send Messenger

To disable the Net Send Messenger service on Windows 2000 or XP, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Start menu in the lower left corner of your screen. Select Settings, then Control Panel, then Administrative Tools and then Services. The Services window will appear.
  2. Select the Messenger service in the right-hand list of local services by double-clicking on it. A Messenger Properties window will appear.
  3. In the General tab, set the Messenger service's Start Type to Disabled using the pull-down list of Start Types.
  4. Also in the General tab, click the Stop button in the Service Status section. Your computer will stop the service if it is currently running.
  5. Click OK. The Messenger Properties window will disappear.
  6. Click the File: Exit tab in the Services window, and it will disappear.

Windows Instant Messenger

If you are running the Windows operating system, you may be running the software program called Windows Instant Messenger without knowing it.  On most Windows XP Home and Professional systems, it is both installed and running in the background by default.

There are security concerns unrelated to the pop-up spam with Instant Messenger clients of all types, and if you are not using Instant Messenger, it is recommended that you disable it. Uninstalling Instant Messenger can cause problems so disable it instead.

Windows XP

How to disable Windows Instant Messenger on Windows XP:

  1. Go to Start: Programs: Windows Messenger. A Windows Messenger window will pop up.
  2. Click the Tools tab, and select Options. Another window will pop up.
  3. Click the Preferences tab, and make sure the following two boxes are unchecked:
    • Run this program when Windows starts
    • Allow this program to run in the background
  4. Click OK, then the File: Close tab in the Windows Messenger window.
  5. Double check that you do not have a little icon in the bottom right hand side of your screen that looks like two little people's heads. If you do, right-click on it and select Close