Anyone else receive this weird message from MSN Messenger?

[ima_sinnic]

I have received SEVEN of these in my e-mail today, spaced anywhere from 3 hours to a few minutes apart. I really consider Windows Messenger to be spyware; I resent the fact that the password is connected to NET Passport, which really is a spybot, and would UNinstall Msgr altogether were it not for one friend who insists on showing up on it out of the blue a lot. Actually, now I see how dumb that sounds; maybe I WILL uninstall it, or at the worst ignore these messages and see if my "older version" (4.6) really does stop working like they say it's going to. I have REALLY resented the fact that EVERY time I turn on my computer I get a little slidey-up box telling me there is a new version of Messenger. Like I give a flying &*#%!! Anyway, anyone else receive multiple copies of this:

Subject: Important Security Update for the .NET Messenger Service

ATTENTION: IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED FOR MSN AND WINDOWS MESSENGER USERS.

You are receiving this e-mail because you are a MSN Messenger or Windows
Messenger Service user.

As part of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing initiative, Microsoft is
updating the .NET Messenger Service and providing you with an important
MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger security update.

If you are using MSN Messenger 5.0, Windows Messenger 4.7.2000, or MSN
Messenger for Mac 3.5, or any versions higher than these, you do NOT need
this security update. To find out which version you have, select the
'Help' menu in Messenger, then select 'About'. If you are using an older
version, or are not sure, please visit:
http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Upgrades.aspx
for an update.

NOTICE: If you are not using an updated version, you will be unable to
continue using your MSN Messenger or Windows Messenger Service.

Thank you for helping Microsoft further its commitment to helping you
protect your privacy and security online.

You can view the .NET Messenger Statement of Privacy at:
http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Privacy.aspx
and the .NET Messenger Service Terms of Use and Notices at:
http://messenger.msn.com/Help/Terms.aspx.

[BigMcLargehuge]

1. here's how to turn those off

go to start/control panel/administrative tools/services

find the windows messenger program and right click

select stop now and disable.

Viola! No more windows message spam.

[ima_sinnic]

2. I have Windows XP so that menu doesn't fit

I did shut off the spamming popups some time ago but there is one little box that slides up in the lower right corner that just cannot be killed. I know I could seek out the fix for this but it has not gotten annoying to the point where I've been motivated enough. The little box slides back down after about 10 seconds or so--just long enough to get me irritated, but not long enough to get me motivated. Thanks, though. :hi:

[BigMcLargehuge]

3. Yeah, I have Win 2000

I haven't used XP... short of the messenger spam, how has your experience been with it? I appreciate 2000's stability (after a nightmare year with NT4).

[Rainydaze]

4. It's not too bad

As long as you hide like a cockroach behind a firewall. Otherwise, it seems to be pretty leaky. I'm using pro-corp edition, and the holes are somewhat glaring.

[ima_sinnic]

6. I had ShieldsUp "probe my ports" and fix my Plug N Play

Yes, it does have a vulnerability at Plug N Play (actually I think all Windows has it) but the fix for it is at http://grc.com/default.htm , along with a testing of your whole system and some other patches/fixes, esp. for port 135.

[ima_sinnic]

5. I really do like it.

It has some complexities that go to waste on my one-person computer, though -- better suited to networks and multiple users -- but hasn't given me any problems and is actually quite straightforward. Awful lot of updates, though, that are announced every other day in little popup windows.