FYI..for those that are not aware of this.

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October 25, TechWeb News - Attackers gearing up to exploit
Windows Messenger security hole. An exploit code that takes
advantage of a  critical vulnerability in Microsoft's Windows
Messenger Service is out in the wild and could prove as dangerous
as this summer's MSBlaster worm if attackers decide to focus their
efforts, security analysts said Friday, October 24.
Released early last week, the exploit code --
which has been crafted to run not only on attackers' Windows
machines, but also on Linux and Unix boxes -- crashes Windows
systems not patched against the vulnerability released October 15 in
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS03-043. What concerns security
analysts is the  speed with which this exploit was produced. The
span between the disclosure of the vulnerability by Microsoft and
proof of exploit code was just three days.

Users can disable Windows Messenger Service by following the
instructions in Microsoft's security bulletin:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/?url=/technet/security/bull
etin/MS 03-043.asp

Source:
http://www.internetweek.com/security02/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=
15600402


Garry Peirce   [log in to unmask]   1-207-581-3539
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==                   Network Analyst
==     UNET Technology Services, Network Operations
==              University of Maine System
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