Windows Live Messenger - Is it safe?

[JethroUK]

I've installed windows live messenger which i want to keep in touch with my
dad by video cam & computer

it seem have set it's own hole in my firewall (i can't remember being
involved, or asked)

At the moment I just run it as and when but it would be better to leave it
connected (so I know when he's online)

but i'm wondering how secure it is considering it has access to my computer
controls, files and web cam - it will be connected 24/7 whether i'm there or
not

it has always suprised me that it's a 'Microsoft' product considering how
suspiciously it operates (last version was difficult if not impossible to
deactivate)

 

[On the Bridge!]

Please do not store on that computer any top secret designs of thermonuclear
weapons,
knowledge of Aliens, old unknown historical maps of Atlantis.

Someone may come snatch all that from msn.. LOL

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi,

If it were unsafe, then it wouldn't matter whether or not you were present.
The opening in the firewall is so that transmission requests can be received
by the software, otherwise you'd never be able to receive an incoming
request to initiate communication. Anything you do on the internet opens a
port in the firewall. Normally this is initiated by the user sending a
request (say for a web page or download), but for two-way communication
systems (P2P, IM, Internet phone, etc.), a port must be open for the
software to monitor for incoming signals. If this weren't present, to
compare it to a phone system, you'd only be able to dial out and never
receive incoming calls. Is it secure? Well, about as much as anything can
be. The opening in the firewall is a specific port monitoring for a specific
type of signal to cause a response from the software. While it will recieve
other signals, the system will not usually respond to them as they will not
be initiated by an authenticated user.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[JethroUK]

I appreciate it needs a hole in the firewall - just concerned that all other
software i use 'asked' me first - other major concern is how much
functionality Messenger seems to have (compared to other software i'm
running which have very specific functions)

I supose I can only say - would you let it run on your machine 24/7?

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I supose I can only say - would you let it run on your machine 24/7?

I do, and have done for years (around seven?), and I have a secure network,
even though I have loads of hackers trying to get into my server on the a
same IP. At least 10 a week.

It opens a port in the Firewall automatically purely because it is a
Microsoft program, so it was easy for the team that made it to arrange that
for ease of use. This is something that kids use as well, after all.

It also automatically forwards a bunch of ports from your router, for audio,
video and file sending, by using Universal Plug and Play (UPnP).

ss.

 

[Rick Rogers]

I supose I can only say - would you let it run on your machine 24/7?

I let lots of things run 24/7 on lots of machines, many of which use similar
configurations to what you are proposing. Web servers, FTP servers, IM, etc.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

 

[Drew]

I have been running one version or another of either Msn messenger, ,Windows
messenger (comes with xp ) as well as Windows live messenger....Hell I ran
yahoo messenger for years as well as Aol's instant messenger...I have always
been very careful about security but just never had any problems with any of
these....Windows Live messenger runs 24/7 and has been for a couple of years
now...I do not worry about it....I do keep an eye on who adds me to there
contact list and such though...........Just my 3
cents.............................Drew

 

[Ian D]

Please do not store on that computer any top secret designs of
thermonuclear weapons,
knowledge of Aliens, old unknown historical maps of Atlantis.

Someone may come snatch all that from msn.. LOL

And while you're at it, wear one of these just to be sure.
You never know.

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/