Exploitation of Microsoft Windows Messenger Service Causes Consumer Concern

The Federal Trade Commission will hold a press conference on Thursday, November 6,
2003 at 11:00 a.m. EST to address consumer concerns raised by the widespread exploitation of
the Microsoft Windows “Messenger Service.” The Messenger Service can be used to provide
network administrators with the ability to give instant information to users, such as notices that
print jobs have been completed successfully. When exploited by external parties, however, the
Service can cause problems for users, even if the consumers are using other applications, such as word-processing, while the computer is connected to the Internet. This press event will address those concerns and provide details on how consumers can avoid such problems.

Howard Beales, Director
FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection

Consumer victims

Federal Trade Commission Headquarters
600 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Room 432
Washington, DC

Thursday, November 6, 2003
11:00 am

FTC Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2180

Call-in Information (Media Only)

Reporters unable to attend the event can call-in to listen to the press conference.
The toll-free phone number is 800-473-8794, the confirmation number is 20246225, and the chairperson is Bruce Jennings.
The lines, which are for media only, will open at 10:45 am EST.