MSN messenger audio connections & XP SP2?

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Andy Weller (getstuff_at_dsl.pipex.com)
Date: 06/27/04 

Date: Sun, 27 Jun 2004 15:05:51 +0100

I currently run Zonealarm, and can't connect an MSN audio conversation
unless I shut down the firewall. A known issue because of the way that MSN
messenger needs access to a wide range of ports & UPnP, which are correctly
viewed by most respectable firewalls as security risks. This problem does
not affect Yahoo messenger, which does not demand such wide access to the
machine it's connecting to.

XP Service pack 2 (SP2) will provide a much improved firewall within XP
itself (great news!). I understand it's default setup will not allow UPnP
and block incoming port probes much as Zonealarm already does. So far so
good.

However, will users suddenly find that they can't use audio conversations
anymore on MSN messenger unless they disable some or all of the new firewall
that MS is keen to implement for security?

I think there is a big problem coming, which I guess is highlighting the
rather "odd" approach MSN messenger has taken in relation to security.

Any news or views?

Andy

Relevant Pages

  • Re: 0x81000301 problems
    ... I don't have a personal firewall, ... firewall that let MSN Messenger through without any problems until ... > that Messenger doesn't have the correct rights to access the Internet, ... > Internet Options, then Advanced tab, scroll to the Security section, and verify that "Check ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger)
  • Re: MSN messenger audio connections & XP SP2?
    ... I suppose the bottom line is to confirm that two XP SP2 PCs each running MSN ... messenger 6.2 behind the new XP firewalls can set up an audio conversation ... without needing the firewall security to be lowered or UPnP enabled. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger)
  • Messenger 6.2 Audio
    ... My friend can hear me speaking clearly ... Instant messenger works just fine. ... ive tried disabling each firewall in turn with the same ... an audio conversation with another friend so i think its ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger)
  • Re: ?stop popups?( MSN & Windows messengers)
    ... questions in this and other forums concerns Windows Messenger Service popups which people mistakenly think are arriving through Windows Instant Messenger or MSN Instant Messenger. ... ALL Messenger Service messages from outside your local network should be being blocked by a hardware firewall in your router and or a software firewall in your computer. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger)
  • My Firewall is keeping me from getting to my email
    ... messenger 6.2 the browser opens up and trys to load forever but never gets ... Now when I turn off my software firewall it works just fine. ... I've reinstalled both my firewall and msn messenger. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.messenger)