Any dangers with AIM???

[MB_]

My daughter talked me into d/l and installing the AOL Instant Messenger so
that we can chat sometime (she recently moved to Calif and I am in Mich).

It seems to work nicely, but I get the sense that there is a lot of baggage
with this program.

Soooo... are there any additional dangers to be aware of??

I use a Firewall (ZA) and an anti-virus program (AVG Free). I keep them
updated and regularly scan (I also use Ad-Aware).

MB

 

[no one]

go to OPTIONS and turn file sharing OFF for those not on your list .
also turn off direct connect.
Turn off the Stock market tickers
it is a Great program I used it For 8 years.. But Decided to Get rid of
it Because AOL has Ruined it With POPUP ADS.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "MB_" <[email protected]>

| My daughter talked me into d/l and installing the AOL Instant Messenger so
| that we can chat sometime (she recently moved to Calif and I am in Mich).
|
| It seems to work nicely, but I get the sense that there is a lot of baggage
| with this program.
|
| Soooo... are there any additional dangers to be aware of??
|
| I use a Firewall (ZA) and an anti-virus program (AVG Free). I keep them
| updated and regularly scan (I also use Ad-Aware).
|
| MB
|


Use of any/all Internet Messaging (IM) applications leaves the computer "at risk".

There are Internet worms and other infectors that specifically use IM software as an
infection vehicle.

 

[Conor]

My daughter talked me into d/l and installing the AOL Instant Messenger so
that we can chat sometime (she recently moved to Calif and I am in Mich).

It seems to work nicely, but I get the sense that there is a lot of baggage
with this program.

Soooo... are there any additional dangers to be aware of??

I use a Firewall (ZA) and an anti-virus program (AVG Free). I keep them
updated and regularly scan (I also use Ad-Aware).

You might want to look at Trillian which is an ICQ/AOL/MSN/Yahoo all in
one chat app.

 

[What's in a Name?]

My daughter talked me into d/l and installing the AOL Instant Messenger so
that we can chat sometime (she recently moved to Calif and I am in Mich).
It seems to work nicely, but I get the sense that there is a lot of baggage
with this program.
Soooo... are there any additional dangers to be aware of??
I use a Firewall (ZA) and an anti-virus program (AVG Free). I keep them
updated and regularly scan (I also use Ad-Aware).

MB

Avast for home(free) has IM monitoring(I don't know about AVG).
-max

 

[MB_]

Dave:

Does AVG and/or ZA protect against that?

Mel

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "MB_" <[email protected]>

| Dave:
|
| Does AVG and/or ZA protect against that?
|
| Mel
|

Mel:

Anti Virus software mitigates the threat to some degree but it does not eliminate the risk
IM brings to the table.

 

[MB_]

David:

Does the threat come from someone else's computer.

On my AIM, I have only one "buddy," my daughter.

MB

 

[Ian Kenefick]

David:

Does the threat come from someone else's computer.

On my AIM, I have only one "buddy," my daughter.

It's not your buddy list that matters in this case. An IM worm spreads
by harvesting names from your buddy list and it sends itself to them.
In other words if someone gets infected with an IM worm and your name
is on their buddy list them the worm will send itself to you in the
form of a url or a file transfer. If you were to get infected you
would send the worm onto those on your list and so on...

Instant messaging is just one more infection vector to add to the
list. Safe-Hex with up to date antivirus will keep you safe and sound.

http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/a-safe-pc.htm


Regards,
Ian Kenefick
http://antivirus.ik-cs.com