Message from security to alert

[gila2]

Hi!
From time to time, beeing on IE, I received a pop-up message with one OK button:
"Message from security to alert. System error: Windows has detected spyware running on your computer. spyware can dmage critical system files. anti-virus and firewall software can not protect you. Visit: www.win-fix.com for free removal information!"
I think is not a windows message.
I run Spybot and Ad-aware, but can not fix this.
Can anybody help me?

[spirited]

Something very similar happened to me a few days ago.I called Norton, and they told me to do the following: Go to symantec.com, click on security response, scroll down the page to check for security risks Click on the globe Click on GO, another window will open, and click on virus detection. You have to use Internet Expolrer to do this. It will scan your entire computer (be patient), and tell you which files are infected. After the scan is complete, you can choose to delete the infected files. It's totally free. I had a Trojan, and I needed alot more help. It took me the whole day to fix. All my settings were screwed up after, and I had to reinstall some software. You probably won't need to go that far.

Good Luck

[Kevin P]

You are seeing what is called "Messenger Service spam". I assume what you're seeing is a gray pop-up window that says "Messenger Service" in the title bar and an OK button in the window, underneath the text right?

To eliminate this problem, you need to do one of two things (preferably both): 1) turn off the Messenger Service, and 2) install a firewall.

To turn off the Messenger Service, go into Control Panel. In XP category view, click Performance and Maintenance, Administrative Tools, then Services. In XP classic view or W2K, go into Administrative Tools, and then Services. Scroll down to Messenger, right-click it and click Stop. After it stops, right click it again and select Properties. Change Startup Type to disabled, and click OK.

To turn on the firewall in XP, right-click My Network Places and click Properties. Then right-click and select Properties on the network connection you are using. Click the Advanced tab and check the box that turns on the Internet Connection Firewall. Click OK. Repeat for any other network connections you have. If you have Service Pack 2 then the firewall will already be turned on by default. But based on the fact that you are getting messenger spam, you are probably not fully patched. I suggest running Windows Update next.

Good luck!

[gila2]

You are right, Kevin. I just made the things as you advised. Thank you!

You are seeing what is called "Messenger Service spam". I assume what you're seeing is a gray pop-up window that says "Messenger Service" in the title bar and an OK button in the window, underneath the text right?

To eliminate this problem, you need to do one of two things (preferably both): 1) turn off the Messenger Service, and 2) install a firewall.

To turn off the Messenger Service, go into Control Panel. In XP category view, click Performance and Maintenance, Administrative Tools, then Services. In XP classic view or W2K, go into Administrative Tools, and then Services. Scroll down to Messenger, right-click it and click Stop. After it stops, right click it again and select Properties. Change Startup Type to disabled, and click OK.

To turn on the firewall in XP, right-click My Network Places and click Properties. Then right-click and select Properties on the network connection you are using. Click the Advanced tab and check the box that turns on the Internet Connection Firewall. Click OK. Repeat for any other network connections you have. If you have Service Pack 2 then the firewall will already be turned on by default. But based on the fact that you are getting messenger spam, you are probably not fully patched. I suggest running Windows Update next.

Good luck!

[Erez]

Thank, I have one question please

Hi. Thank you for your help. I did as you instructed. Hopefully it works. Do I need to turn the messenger service on again?

Thank you,

Erez.

[Kevin P]

Messenger service is only used to send messages via NET SEND commands (used in some office networks and applications). In a home application there's no need for the messenger service. I think it's disabled by default in XP SP2 anyway.

[Erez]

Thank you

After months of having these patch popups they are finally gone. Thank you very much.

Erez.