instant messaging security
Friday, August 31, 2007 at 12:38 pm
Posted by hoggy
(204 messages posted)
I'm looking for some guidance on security aspects with instant messaging.
My daughter likes to chat to her friend using msn messenger service, she isn't using
buddy lists or sending files, just pure chatting. I am aware that there are security
issues, however do you have some advice for the safe use of this medium ? ... any
advice would be much appreciated...thanks.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
re: instant messaging security
Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Posted by Steve
(19472 messages posted)
If the Users click on any links, or use File sharing, it is pretty UN-safe. For normal
text message, voice chat probably OK.
Hackers have figured out how to Spoof
the contact. You think you are chatting with someone you know, and they talk you
into clicking on a Link, or open a sent File to infect the computer with a Trojan.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
re: instant messaging security
Friday, August 31, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Posted by C K
(6101 messages posted)
Agree with Steve. If the IM is set to auto receive a transfer or if your daughter
would click to receive a transfer, you can get infected immediately, AND it can get
sent without the other parties even knowing about it. Same can happen from your
computer to the other machine. If your machine was infected, it could be sending
out files and data without you knowing it, unless you have appropriate protections
(IE a firewall configured properly) to know what is leaving your machine. Even then,
you never know 100% as everything is constantly evolving and protection is constantly
playing catch up. Another reason why computers should always be in an observable
area when children/young people are using them. (This from first hand experience)
It's a mistake to think that anything is safe when it comes to the internet. There
are just degrees of safety depending on how informed you are, and how many chances
you take. Children aren't experienced and to trusting. That's where many problems
can start. The only 100% safe internet is the one you don't have a connection to,
but once the car leaves the driveway, anyone can hit you! ;-) Outside of that,
just make sure everything that comes into the computer is scanned, even if it means
a pay program that will do it, if need be. Never talk to strangers and have a way
of authenticating the other party before chatting, and stay out of public chat rooms
if at all possible.
On Friday, August 31, 2007 at 12:38 pm, hoggy wrote:
>I'm looking for some guidance on security aspects with instant messaging.
>My daughter likes to chat to her friend using msn messenger service, she isn't using
>buddy lists or sending files, just pure chatting. I am aware that there are security
>issues, however do you have some advice for the safe use of this medium ? ... any
>advice would be much appreciated...thanks.
[Reply or follow-up to this message]
|
