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Posted by bganon on August 1, 2006, 11:49 am
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Your 'effort' is greatly appreciated. bobg :)
> bganon wrote:
> > This box pops up every 10 minutes or so when I'm on line.....
> > It says "My computer is corrupted...visit 'so & so' to repair. Of
course
> > it's a fake and I don't ever click the OK box. But how can I stop it
from
> > popping up often.
> >
> > I have XP Pro, Ad-aware, SpywareBlaster,AVG, Spybot, Zone Alarm, Mozilla
> > Firefox & MailWasher.
> > If I'm online updating any of these programs (or writing this message)
it
> > pops on.
> >
> > How can I get rid of it?
> >
>
> Install and enable a firewall.
>
> It's a scam, plain and simple. It's from a very unscrupulous
> "business." They're trying to sell you patches that Microsoft provides
> free-of-charge, and using a very intrusive means of advertising. It's
> also demonstrating that your PC is very unsecure.
>
> This type of spam has become quite common over the past few years,
> and unintentionally serves as a valid security "alert." It demonstrates
> that you haven't been taking sufficient precautions while connected to
> the Internet. Your data probably hasn't been compromised by these
> specific advertisements, but if you're open to this exploit, you most
> definitely open to other threats, such as the Blaster, Welchia, and
> Sasser Worms that still haunt the Internet. Install and use a decent,
> properly configured firewall. (Merely disabling the messenger service,
> as some people recommend, only hides the symptom, and does little or
> nothing to truly secure your machine.) And ignoring or just "putting up
> with" the security gap represented by these messages is particularly
> foolish.
>
> Messenger Service of Windows
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;168893
>
> Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement
> Appears
> http://support.microsoft.com/?id=330904
>
> Stopping Advertisements with Messenger Service Titles
>
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
>
> Blocking Ads, Parasites, and Hijackers with a Hosts File
> http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
>
> Whichever firewall you decide upon, be sure to ensure UDP ports 135,
> 137, and 138 and TCP ports 135, 139, and 445 are all blocked. You may
> also disable Inbound NetBIOS over TCP/IP). You'll have to follow the
> instructions from firewall's manufacturer for the specific steps.
>
> You can test your firewall at:
>
> Symantec Security Check
>
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/vr_main.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pk
j=GPVHGBYNCJEIMXQKCDT
>
> Security Scan - Sygate Online Services
> http://www.sygatetech.com/
>
> Oh, and be especially wary of people who advise you to do nothing
> more than disable the messenger service. Disabling the messenger
> service, by itself, is a "head in the sand" approach to computer
> security. The real problem is not the messenger service pop-ups;
> they're actually providing a useful, if annoying, service by acting as a
> security alert. The true problem is the unsecured computer, and you've
> been advised to merely turn off the warnings. How is this helpful?
>
> There are several essential components to computer security: a
> knowledgeable and pro-active user, a properly configured firewall,
> reliable and up-to-date antivirus software, and the prompt repair (via
> patches, hotfixes, or service packs) of any known vulnerabilities.
>
> The weakest link in this "equation" is, of course, the computer
> user. No software manufacturer can -- nor should they be expected
> to -- protect the computer user from him/herself. All too many people
> have bought into the various PC/software manufacturers marketing
> claims of easy computing. They believe that their computer should be
> no harder to use than a toaster oven; they have neither the
> inclination or desire to learn how to safely use their computer. All
> too few people keep their antivirus software current, install patches
> in a timely manner, or stop to really think about that cutesy link
> they're about to click.
>
> Firewalls and anti-virus applications, which should always be used
> and should always be running, are important components of "safe hex,"
> but they cannot, and should not be expected to, protect the computer
> user from him/herself. Ultimately, it is incumbent upon each and
> every computer user to learn how to secure his/her own computer.
>
> To learn more about practicing "safe hex," start with these links:
>
> Protect Your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp
>
> Home Computer Security
> http://www.cert.org/homeusers/HomeComputerSecurity/
>
> List of Antivirus Software Vendors
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;49500
>
> Home PC Firewall Guide
> http://www.firewallguide.com/
>
> Scumware.com
> http://www.scumware.com/
>
>
>
> --
>
> Bruce Chambers
>
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
> safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
>
> Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrum
Russell
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