[thelist] what is this scam?

[.jeff]

tom,

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> From: Tom Dell'Aringa
>
> I've had this happen on my computer a number of times
> now and it really bothers me. I get this popup window:
>
> http://www.pixelmech.com/test/scam.gif
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you're probably sitting out, completely open right?  go look in the services
panel and you'll find a service called "messenger".  it's used all the time
for intranet messaging ("print job on the spendy printer down the hall is
done", "database service is being restarted", etc.).

double-click the service.  click the "stop" button.  change the startup type
to "disabled".

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> Stuff like this makes me want to kick Bill Gates in the
> head.
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only after you kick yourself.   ;p

seriously, this isn't bill gate's fault.  it's a feature that's harmless and
being used in a manner it was never intended for simply because you haven't
secured your computer a) by disabling that service and b) sitting behind a
firewall.

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> I am connected via cable modem and I am not using any
> firewall software, but I am not convinced that would
> help...
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it absolutely would help.  these sorts of messages can only be sent to
machines that are part of the same subnet.  put your machine behind a
firewall and it's no longer part of the same subnet as all the other
completely open and vulnerable pc's in your neighborhood.

.jeff

http://evolt.org/
jeff at members.evolt.org
http://members.evolt.org/jeff/