What does a error log "bowser" event ID "8003" mean. Looks like I'v been Hacked.

Anonymous
2012-12-30T20:10:19+00:00

The log record says: master browser has recieved a server announcement from the computer SCOTTS-LAPTOP that believes that it is the master browser for the domain on transport NetBT_Tcpip_  The master browser is stoping or an election is being forced.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Internet and connectivity

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-12-30T21:19:20+00:00

    I moved your question to the Web and Networking topic.

    -steve

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-31T23:25:40+00:00

    This message seems harmless, I don't think you have to worry about having been hacked.   It can appear even on a freshly installed operating system (including Windows 8.1) when other computers are on the local network.

    One of the network functions in older Microsoft networks is called a "Master browser", and there is typically only one of them on a LAN.   This message says that another computer is claiming the role of master browser, and that the computer you see the event message on is stopping its master browser service.  

    IMHO this event shouldn't be classified as an error.   It looks like there is a typo in the event source name, the word "bower" should probably read "browser".   In older versions of windows, the the event source name was "mrxsmb".

    For more detail, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188001/en-us

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