Re: How safe is Microsoft Messenger?

"David Allan" <davidm.allan@xxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

Thanks to one and all for your advice... but you're loosing me with some of
the jargon. Nobody has confirmed that Microsoft Messenger comes with risks,
such as being an open door to virus attacks... that's what concerns
me most.

Oh, it is. Instant messaging is instant. Worms are starting to
propagate this way-- the usual tack is that an IM comes from someone
on your buddy list that you trust, you figure it's okay to see, you
click, and download something, and presto yer infected. all the
while unaware that it wasn't you rbuddy typing at a keyboard but
rather a bot that'd infected his machine that was sending you that
message.

Maybe I'm worrying about nothing... but I'm still worrying!!!

If you don't need instant messaging in your life, skip MSN Messenger,
AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Instant Messenger, etc. Your computer
will be safer for it.

But, so long as you fastidiously keep on top of instant messenger
program updates, you don't configure it to automagically accept
incoming file transfers, stay on top of OS updates, restrict messaging
only to folks on your buddylist, and don't click on links willy nilly
sent to you via IM, you can use them relatively safely.

But if you don't need it, don't use it.

Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/
.

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