New Threats Target IM Users

Yahoo/IDG News Service ^ | 5/25/2004 | Scarlet Pruitt

[Mike Bates]

Users of instant messaging applications from Yahoo and America Online are being warned this week of two new threats spreading via IM.

The first is a worm targeting AOL's Instant Messenger software that could potentially allow an attacker to gain control of a user's system, according to security researchers. The other is a phishing scam propagated through Yahoo Messenger, which tries to lure users into revealing their Yahoo credentials.

The AOL worm sends the message "hehe i found this funny movie," encouraging users to click on a hyperlink that downloads malicious code to the user's desktop, according to an advisory released Monday by IMLogic. From there, the worm connects to a public IRC (Internet Relay Chat) server and continues to spread through AIM messages, researchers at MCI security company NetSec explained.

While IMLogic rated the AIM worm as a "medium threat," a NetSec advisory warned that given the sophistication of new worms such as this, "it is a reasonable assumption that near-full system control may be possible."

SNIP

The Yahoo Messenger scam is one of a growing number of so-called phishing attacks--a kind of online fraud in which users are directed to fake Web sites designed to look like authentic sites, and then asked to reveal sensitive information such as credit card numbers and passwords.

In the Yahoo scam, users are sent the following URL to lead them to a phony Web site. The URL appears to be targeted at gaming enthusiasts and is rated by IMLogic as a "medium risk" threat.

Yahoo users are being warned to look out for the threat, and administrators are advised to use content filtering to guard against the scam, and to download the latest antivirus updates.

[Mike Bates]

Don't know about you, but I don't trust anyone who sends a message beginning with, "hehe."

Michael M. Bates: My Side of the Swamp

[tfecw]

phishing scams are the worst. When it's all said in done you have only yourself to blame. Well i suppose you could blame the asshat behind the scam, but still people should try and be a little smarter. By the way I've got free rolexes here ;)

[JoJo Gunn]

ping

[Mike Bates]

Thanks for the Rolex offer. Soon as I get those bucks from Nigeria I've been promised, I'll be on it.

[ShadowAce]

[N3WBI3]

hehe

I know what you mean click here

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

...but I don't trust anyone who sends a message beginning with, "hehe."

I block anyone who is not on my contact list who initiates an unsolicited IM...no matter how hot she says she is.