MSN Messenger
MSN Messenger
MSN Messenger is Microsoft's instant messaging client for Windows computers aimed toward the home user. Among its users it is often referred to as MSN, for example, "I'll send it to you over MSN," though in Latin America and Spain it is known as "el Messenger," as other instant messaging clients are less popular there.
The major use of the software is for instant messaging, although other features which now come as standard include support for voice conversations, webcams (MSN Messenger 7.0 and later feature full screen audio video conversations), transferring files, and built-in multi-user online games such as Tic Tac Toe. In a similar vein to many of MSN Messenger's competitors, MSN Messenger allows messages to be enlivened with graphical emoticons, sometimes called smileys, Flash animations called winks, animated display pictures, styled text, and many more with third-party add-ons such as MSNLiveDisplay.
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MSN Messenger Related Products
Instant Messaging (IM) presents enterprises with a completely new set of threats to network security, bandwidth availability and program compatibility. Instant messaging’s always-on nature, lack of monitoring tools, known vulnerabilities and multiple available protocols make it a prime target for hackers and others with unscrupulous intentions. To help enterprises combat these threats, Secure Computing® developed the IronIM™ instant messaging security appliance.
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MSN Messenger Related Product Families
Akonix, maker of the most deployed IM security and compliance products in the world, provides a Unified Policy Management (UPM) platform to monitor the use of unified communications applications in the workplace, administering and enforcing corporate policy and assisting with compliance regulations.
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MSN Messenger Related Industry News
MSN Messenger flaw allows hard-drive access Microsoft has revealed three new vulnerabilities in its software, including the first to affect MSN Messenger 6.0, and is urging customers to patch their systems now. Two of the vulnerabilities are considered medium-level risks, while the third presents a medium- to low-level risk, according to security software specialist Symantec and others. Three separate patches to repair the flaws--which affect different pieces of software--have been released and......
[more] Security concerns put MSN Messenger beta on hold Microsoft has suspended the beta testing of the next version of its MSN Messenger client because of a potential security problem, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday. Testers discovered a potential security issue in the early version of MSN Messenger 7 shortly after Microsoft made the instant messaging client available to a select group of testers over the weekend, according to postings on MSN Messenger enthusiast Web site Mess.be.
The problem l......
[more] MSN fighting Messenger difficulties, virus People using Microsoft's instant-messaging software, MSN Messenger, may have been a mite lonely this weekend, with only a virus to keep them company. The software giant acknowledged on Monday that it continued to battle a technical glitch that prevented MSN users from logging on to the service's instant-messaging system for the past three days. The problems, which several users complained about on discussion forums frequented by network administrators,......
[more] MSN Messenger hit by double-whammy worm A Bropia variant is using MSN Messenger to spread, and is packaged with a second more damaging worm The latest variant of the Bropia worm was discovered on Wednesday evening. It infects users of MSN Messenger by sending itself as a picture of a roast chicken with tan lines. It also releases a second more dangerous worm called agabot.ajc on the infected user's computer.
Adam Biviano, senior systems engineer at antivirus firm Trend Micro, said that although......
[more] Microsoft Patches Unlucky 13 Software Holes I.T. administrators should brace themselves for a busy day on 8 February as Microsoft will be releasing 13 security patches for its operating systems and applications. Nine of the patches are for Windows, at least one of which is rated "critical" and will require a system restart.
The other four patches are for Office, the .Net framework, Sharepoint, Visual Studio, Media Player and MSN Messenger, and range from "critical" to "moderate."
The advanc......
[more] IM still a security weak spot, analysts warn The recent flaw plugged by Microsoft in its MSN Messenger software highlights a serious security threat to enterprise security, analysts said. Last Friday, Microsoft forced its millions of MSN Messenger users to download a new version of the software to plug a security vulnerability.
The software giant put the mandatory upgrade in place after a security company posted information that might help a would-be attacker exploit the vulnerability. Users o......
[more] Microsoft's security strategy pilloried The software giant should be concentrating on securing Windows instead of trying to squeeze security firms out of the market, according to Gartner Microsoft has bought two antivirus companies and an antispyware company -- the latter acquisition has already produced an antispyware application for Windows -- since Bill Gates launched the Trustworthy Computing Initiative, which changed coding practices to make security Microsoft's first priority.
However, Ga......
[more] Updated virus alerts: MyDoom raised to high alert Others bubbling under... The latest MyDoom worm, first spotted yesterday has been raised to a high alert warning by Computer Associates Virus Information Centre.
Several new worms were spotted in the wild yesterday including a variant of Sober, which has so far hit the radar screens of many major antivirus firms; a variant of Bropia; and the new MyDoom – taking the total number of variants of that worm beyond 50.
However, despite a flurry of......
[more] Worm Chatter Escalates on MSN Messenger Anti-virus vendors report an increased chatter of virus activity on Microsoft Corp.'s Microsoft Network messenger Sunday night through Monday. In what appears to be a concentrated attack on users of the MSN instant messaging client, security experts warn that several new worms with unique replication techniques have been launched alongside mutants of the known Bropia virus family.
"We are regularly adding detection for new Bropia worm variants," F-Secure......
[more] Virus writers start new flame war Fatso.A squeezes onto hard drives with tirade at Bropia author A newly discovered worm has begun spreading in the wild, sparking what security experts warn could be another slanging match between rival virus writers.
The Fatso.A worm (also known as Crog and Sumom) spreads via MSN Messenger by sending an instant message with a URL that, when clicked, causes the PC to download the virus. It also spreads as a file on eMule peer-to-peer systems.
It contains a mess......
[more] Email worm graduates to IM The Chod.B worm is now spreading over Microsoft's instant-messaging service, after first being observed spreading over email systems last week A worm that first disguised itself as an email from computer vendors now attempts to trick MSN Messenger users into executing malicious files.The Chod.B worm, which was first discovered on April Fool's day, spreads via email purportedly from Microsoft, or security vendors Symantec and Trend Micro.When using MSN Messenger as its......
[more] Microsoft plugs critical holes in Windows Microsoft on Tuesday released a slew of security patches, five of them critical, as part of its monthly update. The updates include "critical" fixes to Windows' TCP/IP networking, Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger, Office and Exchange Server. "Critical" is the company's highest severity rating. Three other Windows security holes are rated as "important," the next highest rating.
In each case, Microsoft said the flaws, if exploited, could enable an attac......
[more] Aladdin Sees Dramatic Increase in Email Traffic with Outbreak of Win32.Sober.s Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd. today announced that its Content Security Response Team (CSRT) identifies the new Win32.Sober.s worm as a medium to high risk for corporate networks worldwide. Aladdin eSafe customers are proactively protected without a need for signature updates.
Win32.Sober.s is a mass-mailing worm that continues to quickly infect computers throughout the United States and Germany by disguising itsel......
[more] Hotmail threatened by MSN flaw A cross-scripting security hole allowed malicious hackers to steal cookies from Hotmail users and get access to their accounts Microsoft took part of its MSN Web site offline over the weekend, after it learned of a flaw that could let an attacker gain access to Hotmail accounts, the company said.
The MSN Web site, http://ilovemessenger.msn.com/, contained a so-called cross-site scripting flaw, a Microsoft representative said on Monday. In its initial review of th......
[more] Businesses sending one billion IMs per day And that's just the ones your boss knows about Instant messaging is the new email for the world's businesses - it's official.
According to a new report from analyst house IDC, IM is now a standard piece of the corporate communication toolkit, with around one billion IMs sent every day between 28 million enterprise users.
Consequently, the analysts are predicting that the value of the enterprise IM market will continue to increase for at least the next......
[more] P2P Attacks Up; IM Hits Down IM security solutions provider Akonix Systems said its research team tracked 22 new attacks on Peer-to-Peer networks in October, a 19 percent increase over September.
The attacks on networks such as eDonkey and Kazaa came at the same time the Akonix Security Center tracked a decrease in attacks on Instant Messaging networks during the same time frame.
Don Montgomery, vice president of marketing at Akonix Systems, said October marked the first month that P2P attac......
[more] Virus Poses as Leaked MSN Messenger Beta Internet users are being warned about a new virus that poses as a leaked pre-release version of the MSN Messenger instant messenger program.
Unsuspecting Windows users who install the phony MSN Messenger Version 8 "beta" actually install an IM worm that spreads to their IM contacts, and connects their computer to a remote control "bot" network run by malicious hackers, according to F-Secure Corp., an antivirus firm based in Helsinki.
A Web site, msgr......
[more] AOL developing workplace version of AIM America Online is developing a version of its instant messaging (IM) service for workplace use, an attempt to give the consumer-oriented AIM the security, collaboration and IT management features businesses require, company plans to announce this week. Developed with online meeting specialist WebEx Communications, the new AIM Pro will become available in this year's second quarter. Pricing details haven't been finalized, but it will probably be offered on......
[more] Viruses no longer top security threat Trojans and spyware taking over Early reports of malware distribution in April show that viruses are swiftly declining as a threat in comparison with other malicious software.Separate research from Fortinet and Sophos shows that the top viruses were mainly old timers, and that Trojans and spyware are coming to the fore in their place.Fortinet in particular reported that Adware/BetterInternet was its top threat last month, accounting for nearly one in eight a......
[more] Black Angels attack MSN Messenger Internet users should be careful when using Microsoft MSN Messenger as is being targeted by a new worm, security experts warn. BlackAngel.B spreads via Microsoft IM, sending the following messages to all Messenger contacts: 'jaja look a that fantasma.zip' or 'mira este video fantasma.zip jaja'. According to antivirus company Panda Software, the worm attempts to disable the security programs installed onto the computer, such as antivirus and firewalls. It also p......
[more] Aladdin eSafe Increases Security Through New IM File Transfer Blocking Aladdin eSafe now offers enhanced AppliFilter technology that blocks potentially harmful file transfers while still allowing legitimate IM messaging. Aladdin Knowledge Systems, the leader in Software DRM, identity management, and content security solutions, today announced its Aladdin eSafe gateway-based content security solution now offers enhanced AppliFilter features that allow organizations to block file sharing in Instan......
[more] IM News & Trends Watch This past week Google has updated its IM product, Google Talk with several new features. The file transfer feature, one of the most requested features by users, allows you to send unlimited files and folders through Google Talk. Google has placed no restriction on the file type or size. As you would expect the dismal feature allows you to leave a voicemail message when your Google Talk buddy isn't available. When users receive voicemail they are informed via an e-mail......
[more] Worm burrows to heart of Windows Live The latest worm to infect instant-messaging networks is aptly named Heartworm. The worm, actually called W32.heartworm.a, affects users of Microsoft's Windows Live Messenger service (formerly MSN Messenger), presenting users with a link to a Web site that tells them a virtual greeting card is waiting for them, according to FaceTime Security Labs, a division of IM management and security company FaceTime Communications. That link brings unsuspecting users to......
[more] Sophos offers free application killer Sophos has become the first security vendor to give a standard anti-virus client the ability to block a range of risky applications, including VoIP, instant messaging, and P2P programs. The new feature comes in the form of a free signature upgrade to the company's Anti-Virus 6.0 software, and can stop a named list of programs from running on any PC on which the software is installed. Notable on this list are Skype and Google Talk, IM clients such as AIM, MS......
[more] Over two-thirds of employees use IM at work to talk to family and friends Office workers are exposing their employers to substantial risks, including legal action and regulatory breaches, by using instant messenger and web based email at work, according to a new survey. The research, conducted by Chronicle Solutions, found that unmonitored technologies such as instant messenger (IM), MSN messenger and web based email are frequently accessed and used by staff from company computers, leaving busin......
[more] Is Microsoft set to take over the VoIP space? Past experience shows that once Microsoft sets its sights on a technology, it often comes to dominate the market. Will Redmond nudge current VoIP vendors off the playing field? Deb Shinder takes a look at the software giant's plans for VoIP. When Microsoft gets into the game, other companies start to worry-and with good reason. Past experience shows that once the software giant sets its sights on a technology, it often comes to dominate the market,......
[more] MSN messenger serves up dodgy alerts Banner advertisements for a security application said to report false or inflated threats appeared for at least a few days on Microsoft's IM (instant-messaging) program, prompting warnings from security analysts. Microsoft appears to have removed the ads, which were displayed in the contacts panel for its IM program, Windows Live Messenger, said Sandi Hardmeier, a Microsoft Most Valued Professional, a designation the company gives to people who have expertis......
[more] MSN Messenger is the most targeted IM platform ScanSafe, in its latest monthly Global Threat Report, reported it blocked 24 new IM threats in February, 54 percent of which affected MSN Messenger compared to 21 percent that affected Yahoo! and 17 percent that affected AOL Instant Messenger (AIM). Over the past 12 months, MSN Messenger has consistently ranked #1 as the most targeted IM platform. Fifty-three percent of all the IM-based threats blocked by ScanSafe in the past year have affected MSN......
[more] Instant messaging attacks up 200 percent in a year The growing adoption of instant messaging (IM) platforms in corporate environments has made the technology more attractive to hackers, who have, in turn, attacked IM 200 percent more often than this time last year. Researchers at Akonix's IM Security Center reported today that they've seen 31 new malicious code attacks on messaging platforms this month, including worms such as IMspam, QQpass and TrigXF. Of all IM-based malware, Maniccum and Hotm......
[more] Skype worm jumps to ICQ, MSN A new variant of the Stration worm, which has been plaguing Windows users for the past year, has made the jump from Skype to the ICQ and MSN Messenger networks. This latest variant popped up earlier this week, according to Chris Boyd, a researcher at FaceTime Communications, who blogs under the pseudonym "Paperghost." "They're using Skype as a jump off into other more established networks," Boyd said. "The infection will go looking for......
[more] Attackers get chatty on VoIP The hacker attacks happening via Skype will become more severe and sophisticated as businesses start adopting VoIP technologies, analysts say The recent spate of malware attacks propagating throughout the user base of the Skype Internet calling system illustrates a broader trend toward cyber-criminals moving to take advantage of VoIP platforms as they become increasingly popular. Security researchers tracking the latest pack of worm viruses to wriggle their way thro......
[more] MSN Messenger video-based exploit revealed Security experts are advising users of MSN Messenger to be wary of untrusted web cam conversations after exploit code was posted today for a zero-day vulnerability in the instant messaging (IM) application. The bug, rated "highly critical" by tracking firm Secunia, can be exploited when a victim accepts a malicious video from an attacker, prompting a heap-based buffer overflow. Results may range from a system crash to arbitrary code......
[more] Microsoft to release five fixes on Patch Tuesday Microsoft announced yesterday that it will release five security bulletins - one for a flaw deemed "critical" - next week as part of its September Patch Tuesday distribution. The critical flaw exists in Windows and can be exploited for remote code execution, according to Microsoft's advance notification.Four "important" patches will also be released. Two of the bulletins fix bugs allowing remote code execution in Visual Studio and MSN Me......
[more] Lazy Tuesday for Microsoft patchers Patch Tuesday was quieter than usual for Microsoft users this month, with the company issuing just four security bulletins yesterday. Four vulnerabilities were fixed in Windows, Visual Studio and the MSN and Windows Live Messenger software, setting a 2007 record for the fewest flaws fixed in a month's scheduled updates. Only one of the four flaws was pegged critical, Microsoft's highest threat warning, while the other three were all labelled important, a notc......
[more] Microsoft forces Messenger upgrade for 'security' reasons Users of Windows Live and MSN Messenger are being forced to upgrade to the latest versions due to a security patch in the new releases Microsoft is forcing Windows Live and MSN Messenger users to upgrade to the newest version due to a security update included in that release, according to a posting on a Microsoft blog. Anyone using 6.2, 7.0 and 7.5 versions of MSN Messenger or Windows Live Messenger 8.0 will be guided through the upgrade......
[more] New Trojan scans for virtual machines A Trojan appeared at the weekend that uses MSN Messenger to grow a botnet, but more worryingly the malware also tries to scan for virtual machines in order to increase the botnet’s number of connections. In an eWeek.com article, the eSafe CSRT (Content Security Response Team) at security vendor Aladdin, warned that it had detected the new threat propagating around noon EST on Sunday. At 18:00 UTC (Coordinated Universal Time), eSafe had apparently detected......
[more] Is it possible to ban chat programs on an enterprise LAN? Q: How do I ban MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, Skype and other chat programs on an enterprise LAN? My network connects to the Internet through a hub, and from the hub it connects a wireless router/modem to the Internet. I've tried blocking URLs and outgoing ports, but to no avail. I can't install any blocking software because I don't have a server in between the router and the network PCs. A: As you have discovered already, imposing con......
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