The Messenger service is a data-exchange mechanism for networked computers that shouldn't be confused with Microsoft's instant-messaging software. Spammers have taken advantage of the service, which is typically only used to manage networks in businesses, to send advertisements that pop up in grey boxes on people's desktops. Microsoft also announced earlier in October that the technology has a flaw that could be used by attackers to bypass a computer's security.
Switching Messenger off "is the current plan of record," said Neil Charney, director of product management in Microsoft's Windows client group. The company made the announcement at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles. "What we are doing at this point is running through the plan with developers," Charney said.
The next update, Windows XP Service Pack 2, is due in the first half of 2004. Microsoft also plans in Service Pack 2 to turn on the Internet Connection Firewall, which is a basic form of protection built into Windows that is currently off by default.
The decision comes as other companies have attacked Microsoft for including a feature that home PC owners largely don't use and that has been the source of security problems. Network administrators worry that the vulnerability in Messenger could be exploited by an online vandal to create a fast-spreading worm similar to MSBlast or Slammer.
Last week, America Online revealed that it automatically turned off the feature on nearly 15 million of its customers' computer systems. The drastic step was the latest move to quash the effects of the flaw for AOL, which first started filtering out Messenger data nearly a year ago.
The plan to modify the default setting of Windows XP is part of Microsoft's search for ways to better secure its besieged operating system. At the beginning of October, the software giant said it would educate customers and improve its default configurations and its system for patching software.
In many ways, turning off the Messenger feature is an easy decision, because most consumers never used it, Charney said, and companies have the expertise to turn it back on.
"From a consumer end user point of view, I think it is something that will be left off," he said.
Talkback
Headline and Biline I would like to see:
Security fears mean Microsoft will switch off its operating system in its next update of Windoze.
Spam attacks, FUD, lack of ethics and security vulnerabilities will prompt Microsoft to turn off its troublesome Windows operating system, a company representative said on Tuesday.
hello,
i hope microsoft dont kill off windows messager,because i think its very good to have and if microsoft decide to remove it,it means that i and everyone else will not be able to chat to any of our friends anymore weather they are ones we all know or not,apart from e mail and the phone ,windows messager is the only other way of commucateing with ones friends,especaily to the friends that live in other countries,apart from windows messager i also use yahoo messager,and i have to say that windows messager is far better to use than yahoo and also alot safer as well,with windows messager you cant just talk to anyone ,to be able to chat to some one on windows messager the person has to agree first before you add them,not like that of yahoo messager ,if someone want to chat to you there ,they just look up on profiles and click on your ..where the smily face is and chat to you that way..so im asking microsoft to not remove windows messager as all of us who use it will be very sad and miss it along with not be able to talk to our friends,family etc
this is what i have to say on the subject
You moron not that MESSENGER