August 4, 2005 4:15 PM PDT
IM threats on the rise
The number of new worms and other security problems hitting instant-messaging services in July, climbing 24 percent over the previous month, according to a survey by Akonix Systems. The company's Security Center tracked 42 new threats to corporate IM systems, including viruses such as Rant, Prex and Kirvo, Akonix announced Thursday.
The Rant virus posed a greater risk for users, in that it was one of the first IM threats to spread across multiple IM networks. That appears to be the start of new trend, Akonix predicted. July also marked the month with the second highest number of threats since the start of the year, the IM security company said.
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Akonix Systems, IM threat, IM, threat, virus
I?m an avid user of Instant Messaging (IM). It?s great for immediately contacting friends and family around the globe, sharing family photos, even live video feeds for grandparents thousands of miles away.
There are some terrific IM applications out there like those provided by Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL and for the most part you can chat happily without any issues. I?ve taught my kids to be safe and only allow people they actually know to be added to their list of friends. I use content filtering features and applications on the PC?s in my home that allow me to further protect them. However, because you might host a profile on one of the aforementioned sites, you may still receive the odd request for a chat from someone outside your normal circle of friends and family. Be careful.
We are continually barraged with ne?er-do-wells who are intent on undermining what should be a relaxing experience. Whether its identity theft by Phishing email or more recently scams over IM, we find ourselves having to be constantly on guard even in the safety and comfort of our own homes.
When it comes to my online experiences I am habitually pessimistic. I?ll give folks the benefit of the doubt, but I?ve got someone pegged pretty darn quickly. If it?s a kid posing as an adult or some goof trying to pose as an American model stranded in Africa (who writes those scripts). If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!!!
Here?s the typical scenario? A west African man is sitting at a PC in and Internet café or some other publicly available computer. It appears that Yahoo Instant Messenger and web mail is the favorite and he?ll usually be armed with a cell phone, to take calls (yes they do coerce folks into the scams).
His (her) identity will come complete with at least one picture that has undoubtedly been stripped off the web somewhere, to mail to you upon request. Similarly, his profile (one of many) will normally be very brief and devoid of any details (I?m an open book).
Seemingly harmless chat will soon be followed by a sob story of how they have no money to get back to America, or how their family is being prosecuted by the Government. The list is exhaustive and there are many websites that document the scams. One thing is for certain, you will be asked to send money somewhere for some reason by a total stranger who you?ve never met! The advice is simple; don?t do it!
These folks are not potential boy/girlfriends and they do not give a rat?s bum about you. Quite often they haven?t particularly understood anything you?ve typed in reply (you did notice the poor English skills right?).
Folks, move on! Delete, ignore and report to the appropriate authorities if you feel it is necessary.
There has been plenty written about staying safe while using these applications and my favorite has always been ?Internet and Computer Ethics for Kids? (and Parents who haven?t a clue!) by my friend Winn Schwartau. Winn has dedicated his life?s work to teaching parents, children and the ?corporate clueless? about the fundamentals of Information Security. He?s not alone.
- IM threats on the rise
- by August 4, 2005 4:39 PM PDT
- The other more personal IM threat includes a significant increase in Nigerian 419 scams over IM. I recently wrote the following for a security-related blog:
- Like this Reply to this comment
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- Nigerian Model Scam
- by stephan08611 September 3, 2005 1:14 AM PDT
- Beware of a Jennifer Monterna. IM'ed me one night out of the blue and let it drag on for a few days. Said she saw my Profile and liked what she saw [I'm 58 and married, she claimed to be 26]. Said she was looking for a good man in Australia, I'm in the US. Finally got around to saying she was stranded because her modeling job finished and they paid her with an 'international' check which could be cashed faster in the US. First she said she wanted an older man because I should have some money to help her out. When that didn't fly she then went to the "I'll send you a check and you send the money back" routine. Actually got quite huffy when I told her to forget it. I did get an email with a lovely model's pics so there was some pleasure in it.
- Like this
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(4 Comments)I?m an avid user of Instant Messaging (IM). It?s great for immediately contacting friends and family around the globe, sharing family photos, even live video feeds for grandparents thousands of miles away.
There are some terrific IM applications out there like those provided by Yahoo, Microsoft and AOL and for the most part you can chat happily without any issues. I?ve taught my kids to be safe and only allow people they actually know to be added to their list of friends. I use content filtering features and applications on the PC?s in my home that allow me to further protect them. However, because you might host a profile on one of the aforementioned sites, you may still receive the odd request for a chat from someone outside your normal circle of friends and family. Be careful.
We are continually barraged with ne?er-do-wells who are intent on undermining what should be a relaxing experience. Whether its identity theft by Phishing email or more recently scams over IM, we find ourselves having to be constantly on guard even in the safety and comfort of our own homes.
When it comes to my online experiences I am habitually pessimistic. I?ll give folks the benefit of the doubt, but I?ve got someone pegged pretty darn quickly. If it?s a kid posing as an adult or some goof trying to pose as an American model stranded in Africa (who writes those scripts). If it looks too good to be true, it probably is!!!
Here?s the typical scenario? A west African man is sitting at a PC in and Internet café or some other publicly available computer. It appears that Yahoo Instant Messenger and web mail is the favorite and he?ll usually be armed with a cell phone, to take calls (yes they do coerce folks into the scams).
His (her) identity will come complete with at least one picture that has undoubtedly been stripped off the web somewhere, to mail to you upon request. Similarly, his profile (one of many) will normally be very brief and devoid of any details (I?m an open book).
Seemingly harmless chat will soon be followed by a sob story of how they have no money to get back to America, or how their family is being prosecuted by the Government. The list is exhaustive and there are many websites that document the scams. One thing is for certain, you will be asked to send money somewhere for some reason by a total stranger who you?ve never met! The advice is simple; don?t do it!
These folks are not potential boy/girlfriends and they do not give a rat?s bum about you. Quite often they haven?t particularly understood anything you?ve typed in reply (you did notice the poor English skills right?).
Folks, move on! Delete, ignore and report to the appropriate authorities if you feel it is necessary.
There has been plenty written about staying safe while using these applications and my favorite has always been ?Internet and Computer Ethics for Kids? (and Parents who haven?t a clue!) by my friend Winn Schwartau. Winn has dedicated his life?s work to teaching parents, children and the ?corporate clueless? about the fundamentals of Information Security. He?s not alone.