Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Instant-Messaging Attacks On the Rise

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the no-shock-here dept.

Ant writes "CNET News.com and ZDNet News report that security attacks over instant-messaging (IM) networks became more prevalent in 2005, according to a new study. MSN experienced the largest number of IM security incidents in both 2004 and 2005, while year-on-year incident growth rates were largest on AIM."

6 of 151 comments (clear)

  1. Am I the only one who hasn't noticed it? by peragrin · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I have not seen any such attacks when using my normal IM software. I am constantly connected to AIM but I never recieve such problems. It might have to do with the fact that I use Fire/iChat, or Kopete/Gaim.

    Maybe because my IM client doesn't download and run activeX ads I don't have such problems. The AIM client for Windows doesn't like running in restricted user modes or restricted IE settings on any machine i have installed it on.

    So I would say it's not so much IM problems but more of the same IE/ActiveX security issues that continually plague the world that uses that crap.

    --
    i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
    1. Re:Am I the only one who hasn't noticed it? by peragrin · · Score: 2, Interesting

      A good point. even though my AIM screenname is readily availbe on many webistes and forums, I have to accept messages first.

      --
      i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
  2. Re:Just don't use their client by Xrikcus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Most people I know (and I mean most, including the geeks - one ex hardcore linux user) prefer the msn client to gaim and so on. They've used gaim and similar clients, they've made the effort, and gone back to the msn client.

    I'm not really sure why... but that is the case.

  3. Re:Just don't use their client by endrue · · Score: 2, Interesting

    of course there is allways http://meebo.com/meebo too.

    --
    I meta-moderate because I care.
  4. Re:Obvious by dc29A · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Obvious, they go to where the easy targets are. As a plus: When you infect a computer connected through AOL the chance of discovery and subsequent removal is smaller. How many granny's on AOL run a firewall+spybot+antivirus etc?

    I doubt it's only AOL. How many non AOL average Joes use a firewall, antivirus and antispamware? The vast majority of home computer users don't give a damn about or are totally clueless about computer security.

    That and everyone and his mother running with a root account so once you get a user clicking on a "OMG COOL PICTURE HERE CHECK IT OUT" spam, their PC is a newborn zombie.

  5. Microsoft market leader.. again! by naelurec · · Score: 2, Interesting

    MSN experienced the largest number of IM security incidents in both 2004 and 2005

    So they have over 50% of the market on IM security incidents .. go Microsoft!

    Just curious, what is their marketshare for IM? I tried looking it up w/o success.