Solve : MSN messenger automatically added??

1.	Solve : MSN messenger automatically added??
Answer» Hi--I'm new to this board. We've got a problem at our HOUSE, and I'm hoping someone here can tell me why it's happening. My husband does not want MSN messenger on our computer and has removed it several times. However, it keeps showing back up, without either of us intentionally downloading it. He's not computer-illiterate and knows how to completely remove programs, so I don't think it's a matter of him not removing it correctly. Anyway, what I'm wondering is this: Is it possible for MSN messenger to be DOWNLOADED automatically without your knowledge just by visiting certain sites? (That's the only way I can comprehend that it's getting added back on each time.) I always thought that the little box had to pop up asking you if you accept the conditions and terms, etc., before it downloads, but maybe I'm wrong about that? Only my husband and I have ADMINISTRATIVE privileges on the computer (it's got NORTON Internet Security)--the kids are not authorized to add or delete programs. If anyone can help me understand how this is happening, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!It sounds like a virus. http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=288 Let's be clear here, is it Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger?I think you can pick that bad boy up just by getting Windows Updates automatically installed. I could be wrong, but I think not.It's MSN Messenger that keeps getting added.Quote He's not computer-illiterate and knows how to completely remove programs, so I don't think it's a matter of him not removing it correctly. If the above is true & I have no reason whatsoever to doubt it then I bet the kids have something to do with this. Fed, that's what my husband thinks, but my question is....how? They are blocked from adding or deleting programs via Norton Internet Security, and they don't know my password or my husband's to access our settings. I really hate blaming the kids for doing something when I don't even understand how they could be doing it. I don't want to be naive about this, but my gut tells me they're not lying about this. They're just as frustrated at being blamed as I am for not being able to figure this out.Spy on them, put a keystroke logger on it. Raptor would say beat them, but how about talking with them and SHARING your concerns?I already have talked with them--that's how I know that they're frustrated at being accused for this. My question is not "Could the kids be doing this?"--it's "Is it possible for MSN Messenger to be downloaded automatically without your consent just by visiting certain sites or using certain programs?" Remember, the kids don't have administrative privileges, so no one as yet has been able to tell me how they would download a program when they aren't authorized by Norton Internet Security to do so.I still think that if you have automatic updates to Windows installing, have installed all the Service Packs that you get them automatically. Anyone else know about this? You will have already enabled this action in your firewall settings, no doubt.Well, GX1 Man, I think you're probably right. Wish there was some way to absolutely verify that's what's happening, but there's probably not. Thanks for helping me try to figure this out. I think this is just some more of Microsoft invading your privacy and telling you where you want to go today!

Answer»

Hi--I'm new to this board. We've got a problem at our HOUSE, and I'm hoping someone here can tell me why it's happening. My husband does not want MSN messenger on our computer and has removed it several times. However, it keeps showing back up, without either of us intentionally downloading it. He's not computer-illiterate and knows how to completely remove programs, so I don't think it's a matter of him not removing it correctly.

Anyway, what I'm wondering is this: Is it possible for MSN messenger to be DOWNLOADED automatically without your knowledge just by visiting certain sites? (That's the only way I can comprehend that it's getting added back on each time.) I always thought that the little box had to pop up asking you if you accept the conditions and terms, etc., before it downloads, but maybe I'm wrong about that?

Only my husband and I have ADMINISTRATIVE privileges on the computer (it's got NORTON Internet Security)--the kids are not authorized to add or delete programs.

If anyone can help me understand how this is happening, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks!It sounds like a virus.
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=288

Let's be clear here, is it Windows Messenger or MSN Messenger?I think you can pick that bad boy up just by getting Windows Updates automatically installed. I could be wrong, but I think not.It's MSN Messenger that keeps getting added.Quote

He's not computer-illiterate and knows how to completely remove programs, so I don't think it's a matter of him not removing it correctly.

If the above is true & I have no reason whatsoever to doubt it then I bet the kids have something to do with this. Fed, that's what my husband thinks, but my question is....how? They are blocked from adding or deleting programs via Norton Internet Security, and they don't know my password or my husband's to access our settings.

I really hate blaming the kids for doing something when I don't even understand how they could be doing it. I don't want to be naive about this, but my gut tells me they're not lying about this. They're just as frustrated at being blamed as I am for not being able to figure this out.Spy on them, put a keystroke logger on it. Raptor would say beat them, but how about talking with them and SHARING your concerns?I already have talked with them--that's how I know that they're frustrated at being accused for this. My question is not "Could the kids be doing this?"--it's "Is it possible for MSN Messenger to be downloaded automatically without your consent just by visiting certain sites or using certain programs?" Remember, the kids don't have administrative privileges, so no one as yet has been able to tell me how they would download a program when they aren't authorized by Norton Internet Security to do so.I still think that if you have automatic updates to Windows installing, have installed all the Service Packs that you get them automatically. Anyone else know about this? You will have already enabled this action in your firewall settings, no doubt.Well, GX1 Man, I think you're probably right. Wish there was some way to absolutely verify that's what's happening, but there's probably not. Thanks for helping me try to figure this out. I think this is just some more of Microsoft invading your privacy and telling you where you want to go today!

Solve : MSN messenger automatically added??

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