Page 1 of probs using yahoo messenger - security risk

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probs using yahoo messenger - security risk

KaTz (Elite) posted this on Thursday, 13th April 2006, 21:10

hi
a friend recently told me of the risk to users of yahoo messenger.
how its possible for people when chatting with you to "look" around ur computer and cause other problems and even damage to ur pc by deleting or corrupting important dll files.
is this possible, or is my mate having me on.

is there any way of protecting against security risks such as these?


KaTz

www.myspace.com/kattri

RE: probs using yahoo messenger - security risk

MikeElliot (Elite) posted this on Friday, 14th April 2006, 08:42

I suspect your mate is having you on. If you can ask your mate how this vulnerability is exploited I can see if what is said is true or not but if your mate cannot explain what he/she is going on about then it is something to be taken with a pinch of salt.

Needless to say, running a firewall (preferably no more than one at a time) is prudent.

RE: probs using yahoo messenger - security risk

duder (Elite) posted this on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 00:52

Your "friend" is having you on - do not listen to him / her, they are talking pants. As Mike says, a firewall is a very good idea though.

RE: probs using yahoo messenger - security risk

sashenden (Elite) posted this on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 07:39

There were several exploits but looking at Google they all seem to have been patched a year or more ago. One problem was to do with files that were transferred to your PC from anouther user could cause problems if the filenames were too long and I think that one would allow people access to your PC

Your friend is probably just like my work colleague, hears a rumour and takes it as gospel for the next 5 years.

Anyone connected to the internet should have a firewall and up to date Antivirus software installed before they do anything else.

This item was edited on Saturday, 15th April 2006, 08:41

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