Microsoft's next version of its instant messenger application will have a new security feature to report users who send unsolicited messages, known as SPIM (spam over IM). That's one of several new features in Windows Live Messenger 9.0, which was released to some private beta testers on Tuesday, according to Liveside.net, a site that focuses on Microsoft's Live brand of Web-based applications.
The problem with SPIM is that it's annoying and, at worst, dangerous. The tricky part is that the hacker may have obtained someone's IM account details, so it appears that a genuine contact is sending the messages. After compiling a list of IM contacts, hackers try to trick users into clicking links. Those links can often launch an unwanted installation of spyware or other malware via a browser vulnerability or other security hole.
View: Full Article @ Computer World UK
The problem with SPIM is that it's annoying and, at worst, dangerous. The tricky part is that the hacker may have obtained someone's IM account details, so it appears that a genuine contact is sending the messages. After compiling a list of IM contacts, hackers try to trick users into clicking links. Those links can often launch an unwanted installation of spyware or other malware via a browser vulnerability or other security hole.
View: Full Article @ Computer World UK
I wish teh internetz had no evils (viruses, spam, hackers etc)
Skype has plenty of 'Hi I'm a horny girl on webcam/mass electronic device retailer' spammers
AIM had it's fair share of cam-gurlz too
YIM not used it much so not sure how it fares
Gtalk no one really uses it anyway
Yes! Then you can talk to all three of the other users!
You're entitled to have your own opinions and everything but... get a life... and maybe a PC too while you're at it
... jog on.
Seems rather silly for them to put something like the nudge wait only in their client when that can easily be fixed in the server by limiting it before it gets to the other end.
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