SPAM!

Ok, just when you think you've got e-mail SPAM under control, the weasels figure out a new way to get at you. I got to experience it first hand about a week after I got the new web server running. It didn't take long for those pesty "messenger service" boxes to start popping up on the server's desktop.

Originally intended for administrative messages over the local network, Microsoft has the messenger service "on" by default when you install. This leaves a specific port open that SPAM lords can now scan for. If found open, they will send advertisements to your machine.

Although I don't endorse (or have even tried) the software this site offers, they do have some information and tutorials on how you can shutdown this new "loop hole" that SPAMMERS are exploiting: Stop Messenger Spam