How to stop Messenger Service Popups

Some users (wether yourself or your clients) may have seen popups that appear on their desktop at some time or another with the title “Messenger Service”. This is not to be confused with Windows Messenger (built in MSN Messenger). The Messenger Service is used for sending messages across a network or LAN.

Spammers have found ways they can exploit this to send messages to your computer from outside your network while you are connected to the internet. Although these messages can say anything, they are often used for advertisements such as:

“Windows has encountered an error, to fix this error you can get XXXX Software at www.xxxx.com for $99.95”
“Adware Detected! To remove adware get XXXX Software at www.xxxx.com for $99.95”
“Virus Found! To remove this virus get XXXX Software at www.xxxx.com for $99.95”

The Messenger Service is not the problem however. The reason why these messages can be sent to a computer is because your internet connection is not secure. A hardware or software firewall will fix this.

You can enable Windows XP’s built in firewall by going to Control Panel > Network Connections. Then right click the Dialup, Lan or High speed internet connetion that you use for the internet and select Properties.

In the Advanced Tab under Internet Connection Firewall tick the check box next to:
“Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet check box.”

If you have a reason to be on the internet without a firewall (or someone inside your network annoying you with these messages such as a sibling) you can disable the messenger service by going to Start > Run and type in Services.msc

Find the entry called Messenger, double click it, select Stop and then Disabled.