Comments on: Hackers learn how to take over AOL IM accounts

America Online Instant Messenger users could find their online identities stolen via a security hole that allows hackers to hijack their accounts through another popular service: AOL 5.0.

owned

Everyone at AOL has no idea what they are talking about when people begin stealing screen names. Most people steal screen names because they want something that fits their personality. Say someone wants the screen name "smurfing" and it is already registered so instead they have to register "smurfing9283983". So when your trying to tell someone your screen name your having to say all these numbers that no one cares about. So instead of registering some crappy screen name they can just do some simple exploit that AOL overlooks and get whatever screen name they want. A lot of people just steal screen names because they can sell them for some quick cash. I have personally never seen AOL take any actions except patch one exploit and open up another. In my opinion, AOL has no idea what they are doing.

[SpiffySavannah]

Stolen password

I think someone has stolen my password, but when I do the "Lost Password" thing it doesn't get sent to me, which makes me think that the hacker changed my email. Is there anything I can do?

[soapboxxmag]

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!!!

my email through AIM was hijacked as well-- when i tried to get help i was told that NO ONE CAN DO ANYTHING about it-- i had 5000 business cards printed with my AIM account email (( [e-mail] )). i plan to pursue this situation to the fullest of my ability because its costing me my business.

if you would like to join me -- email me at [e-mail] the name is Mina

[soapboxxmag]

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE!!!

my email through AIM was hijacked as well-- when i tried to get help i was told that NO ONE CAN DO ANYTHING about it-- i had 5000 business cards printed with my AIM account email (( [e-mail] )). i plan to pursue this situation to the fullest of my ability because its costing me my business.

if you would like to join me -- email me at [e-mail] the name is Mina

[xxxxxkarenxxxxx]

AOL is lying..they're not doing anything for the people whose accounts were hacked. Not only has my daughter's account been stolen, but her myspace as well. They took over her email account and have been terrorizing her. When contacted AOL and asked for them to freeze her account, they said they couldn't help her because she doesn't subscribe to AOL, though she uses their AIM messenger and email services. They tout how secure their services are in order to attract advertising dollars, and when something like this happens, they do nothing and proudly. They should put that in their press releases.

[NCsGal]

Wow, this sounds exactly like what happened to me.. First my email was stolen, then all of my other accounts: myspace, aim, facebook, xanga, you name it. And then the guy messaged me at my new email, asking for nude pictures in order to have the account returned to me. Your story sounds exactly like mine.. Was the guy asking for the same things too?

[Kevin898989]

are there any solutions? would signing up for AOL help solve the issue? or do you just create a new aol screen name