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Thread ID: 42586 2004-02-15 21:06:00 ZoneAlarm and Messenger tbacon_nz (865) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
215829 2004-02-15 21:06:00 On my XP home system, when ZoneAlarm asks if Messenger can act as a server, what is Messenger actually trying to do? So far I have been disallowing it each time with no apparent ill-effects, but I don't want to disallow it permanently unless I know what I am doing. :D tbacon_nz (865)
215830 2004-02-15 21:50:00 The way I see it, you already have a server, so you don't really need messenger as your server.In Zone alarm,go to program control and you'll should see messenger on the program list.Click on it and if you want to block it, then block it, if you want it to ask first, make it ask.The choice is yours and no harm will be done.

Cheers
DD.
dumdum (4965)
215831 2004-02-15 22:37:00 How do I already have a server? tbacon_nz (865)
215832 2004-02-15 22:50:00 i have no idea what dumdum is on about ?:|

however most instant messageing programs act as servers. you may find you are unable to share files, losse connections or contacts can't connect to you. ussually ok to give it server rights if you trust the program.
tweak'e (174)
215833 2004-02-15 23:37:00 So if I don't use instant messageing, I don't need it? The pgm is msmgs.exe. The reason I am a bit concerned is that if I understand what Zonealarm is telling me, the messages are incoming, so I don't know the origin. They are also on all sorts of different ports, which seems odd to me. tbacon_nz (865)
215834 2004-02-15 23:48:00 Due to security probs it appears MS are going to kill the Messenger ;)

news.zdnet.co.uk
mark.p (383)
215835 2004-02-16 00:41:00 > So if I don't use instant messageing, I don't need it? The pgm is msmgs.exe.
msmgs is not for instant messaging, it is the Messenger service for data-exchange for networked computers which can and is exploited by spammers to send you advertisements. It is not an essential service and can be either turned off altogether or have ZoneAlarm block it. Instructions for removing the service can be found here. (miataru.computing.net)
tommy (2826)
215836 2004-02-16 00:54:00 If I have networked computers (which I do), do I need msmgs? tbacon_nz (865)
215837 2004-02-16 01:00:00 No! mark.p (383)
215838 2004-02-16 01:27:00 That's what I like! A response that is succint and unequivocal (and correctly spelt) :D I think msmgs is for the chop.

Thanks everyone,
Tony B
tbacon_nz (865)
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