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Cyber Crooks Sending Fake Messages to MSN Users

As per a recent security news, users of MSN Messenger (also known as Windows Live Messenger) are increasingly getting disturbing spam Instant Messaging (IM) from buddies and friends.

It has been found that people who send this message sign in to forward the chat request but instantly log out after sending the message, disappointing situation for a message recipient. While some users get IM during chat, others receive it when they are offline.

Generally, a user gets a URL (link location) to click on sometimes with a message and sometimes without a message. If a user follows the link, he is diverted to a phishing website that could be highly malicious and could contain exploit. Possibility of infection to MSN messenger with bot, virus, spyware, Trojan, keylogger, worm etc also increases substantially.

The analysis of fake IM by security experts has revealed that it is a technique to steal username and password of the message recipient.

MSN is also facing the same online threat relating security as other social networking websites face, particularly Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Recently, Twitter users were badly hit by malicious attack that featured tweets reading 'Best Video' and a link was given. When a recipient clicks on the link, he allows the installation of a malware on the system which in turn compromises the security of system.

As the problem become more graver and serious, many IM users have expressed their opinion that MSN should do its share of work to protect customers from falling victim to these fake IM. In fact, the company should release warning at a regular interval for its customers which would be an effective and proactive method to curb the malicious activities of bad guys.

Security experts said that the participation of MSN users, who were aware of phishing attempts and malevolent links inserted in fake e-mail, could be very crucial for the elimination of this problem. They could share their knowledge with other MSN buddies to protect them from clicking on bogus links.

Finally, security experts advised users who had already given up their passwords to change their passwords immediately. They should install the latest version of antivirus and anti-malware application on their system to wipe out any possibility of account hacking.

Related article: Cyber Child abuser Sentenced To Imprisonment

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