is there any vulnerability ini Windows Messenger ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Darlie
  • Start date Start date
D

Darlie

Hi,

I need information, if there is any vulnerability in
windows messenger ?
for example :

* if i am using the voice/video conf or chatting , Can
someone hack my computer and hear what i am talking about
or see my messages ?

Thanks, specially fo Jonathan because you help me a lot

Regards
 
Greetings Darlie,

No one can specifically "hack" in your Windows Messenger and start listening in -- there is
not (and never has been) any such vulnerability.

However if someone were to install some type of trojan (a type of virus) on your PC, then of
course they may be able to "listen in" on whatever you were doing (Messenger or otherwise).
Also, if you're on a local network/home network, depending on how it's setup, another PC
running a "packet scanner/sniffer" could determine what you're saying (via text).

Anyway, there really isn't any way for someone to use Messenger to "get" into your PC.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
 
Jonathan Kay said:
Greetings Darlie,

No one can specifically "hack" in your Windows Messenger and start listening in -- there is
not (and never has been) any such vulnerability.
Click to expand...

Jonathan, I believe that claim is mistaken. "A security flaw in Microsoft's
instant messaging services could enable remote attackers to take control of
users' computers, the company warned today." (May 8, 2002,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/w...node=&contentId=A56332-2002May8&notFound=true).

Although that particular vulnerability has been fixed (for users who updated
their software), the possibility of other such vulnerabilities remains, and
is made much worse by the current need to run Messenger with administrator
privileges, and/or disable the XP ICF, in order to get voice connections to
work.

--Gary
 
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