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  • Contributing Editor Stuart J. Johnston advises you on how to fix the latest problems affecting your operating system, your browser, your other software, and your hardware.
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Bugs and Fixes: Microsoft's Help System Needs Help

Stuart J. Johnston

Shoot the Messenger Service

Microsoft recently announced that it will disable the Messenger Service by default in Windows XP Service Pack 2, which is due out in the first half of 2004. Miscreants are using the Messenger Service, a feature in Windows XP and 2000, to cause spam ads to pop up on users' screens (your browser doesn't have to be running for this to happen). The vulnerability could also be used to spread viruses if you haven't installed a particular patch (numbered 828035). Visit Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043 for a link to this fix.

The Messenger Service isn't related to XP's Windows Messenger or to MSN Messenger, the popular IM client. It's typically used in corporate networking environments. Rather than waiting for SP2, if you're battling spam ads, go to Microsoft's instructions on how to turn off the service.

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