Number 272 - January 2006

Disabling Messenger Service Pop Ups
by Carl Tenning, Tacoma Open Group for Microcomputers
I was searching GOOGLE for the term "pop ups" and was surprised to learn that, in their initial state, Microsoft Windows operating systems (98, ME, XP, 2000, NT) allow anyone on the internet to pop up Windows on your screen. There is no need for them to know anything about your computer and your computer does not care who does it. The feature is called Messenger Service. Unfortunately, malicious sources are using this feature for dubious schemes. Messenger Service can be disabled without adversely affecting any normal web browsing activities.	By the way, this has nothing to do with MSN Messenger instant-messaging.    To disable this feature in Windows XP, go to Start > Control Panel and open Administrative Tools. Double click on Services. In the list, right click on Messenger and select Properties and select Disabled. On my computer, with Windows XP SP2 installed, it had already been disabled.
Number 272 - January 2006