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General discussion

aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies

Nov 28, 2004 9:54PM PST

I have read a number of posts in the Viruses forum about instant messeging. But I come away confused. I wonder if someone would be willing to advise us newbies, in newbie language as much as possible, about how much danger there is of getting a virus or other malware from using aol instant messeging, and what protection, if any, is available to prevent the danger? grandpaw

Discussion is locked

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Re: aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies
Nov 28, 2004 10:15PM PST

Don't ever click on anything that comes through on ANY messenger unless you actually KNOW that it is a file that someone is sending you. I NEVER use any kind of messenger for anything like that but some do. Whoever you use for AV should also have an option for most messengers. I use NAV myself and it checks messengers. Just use the same practices that you do with e-mail and be careful Jerry.

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Re: aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies
Nov 29, 2004 12:51AM PST

Rod, what I am trying to decide is whether to allow my granddaughter to have aol instant messenger on my computer. Up to now, I haven't allowed that, but she keeps trying to hit my soft spot. I have Norton Security. Perhaps it would be worth a try for me to allow her to have it provided she complied with certain rules for using it, that is, not doing the things which are most likely to invite viruses or malware. What do you think? grandpaw

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Grandpaw, Not Rod, ....But...
Nov 29, 2004 1:05AM PST

...On my home computer, I have never allowed an IM program to be installed. It's just one more avenue that the kids could have received a virus. Unfortunately, most kids aren't concerned about the "well being" of the computer..That's not to say that they're all that way. Heck, my "kids" are now in college and I still don't want them using an IM...I've already had to clean a few viruses from their machines at college and they're only using standard e-mail...

It comes down to the amount of risk you want to take. It's going to be a personal choice matter....

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re: Grandpaw, Not Rod, ....But...( Ditto, Grif)
Nov 29, 2004 6:29AM PST

Grif,
I agree whole heartedly with you with one exception. In my case I would substitute "wife" for "kids".
It was a tough sell but I finally convinced "the one who must be obeyed" the telephone was far superior for instant messaging.
As a matter of fact, I consider the term "instant messaging" an oxymoron.

DC

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Re: Grandpaw, Not Rod, ....But...
Nov 29, 2004 6:41AM PST

In my case It was my Godson and his sister, BOTH teenagers. I solved my probem by moving out of state but that would be a rather drastic solution in your case Jerry. LOL I also uninstalled all of the IM programs except for MSN messenger which I ONLY use for emergengies with my 78 year old dad occasionally who lives out of state.

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Re: aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies
Nov 29, 2004 12:37AM PST

Grandpaw,

Like any other "mail" program, there are fairly large security risks. IF you've got good procedures for viewing mail which include a current antivirus, current spyware programs, etc. then you're headed in the right direction. It is important to note that there are a number of viruses and exploits that specifically target Instant Messaging services.

Precautions from the first link below:
___________________________

To prevent infection, keep your IM client updated and follow these tips:

* Be wary of files sent via IM, especially those with .exe and .scr extensions, or ones purporting to be games. For best protection, verify with senders before opening.
* Never click an unsolicited link fed via IM, or one lurking in another member's profile or away message.
* Check your antivirus company's home page or a general virus site, such as About.com's antivirus.about.com, for news on current threats.
* Evaluate your protection at Eicar.org, which has an antivirus test.
* Upgrade employees' IM clients. Lotus offers its own secure IM program; AOL, Microsoft, and Yahoo all have paid corporate IM services with built-in security. Products from FaceTime and Akonix help secure existing consumer IM apps and let you filter messages by content.
________________________

Check the links below:

Viruses Target IM

Watch Out for AOL Instant Messenger Viruses

IM Worm Crawls Through JPEG Hole

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Re: I would add something else
Nov 29, 2004 8:01AM PST

A much more sinister problem.

Regrettably this applies not only to Instant Messengers but to internet chat rooms as well.

Grandpaw I don't know how old your granddaughter is, but if she is underage and lacking in life experience, (socialising, or knowing when not to socialise), she would need guidance about who she chats to using IM's.

I'm talking about adults, (usually men), who target the young in chat rooms and IM chatting. The fear is that these are Pheodophiles who prey on young children and convince them to meet up. I won't go into why.

There is no easy way to police this. I wouldn't expect your granddaughter, however old she is, would want you watching over her shoulder whilst she is chatting to other people who she thinks are her age. And as Griff , (or was it dc), said, young children rarely think of the consquences of their actions.

This is a difficult subject and whilst I'm sure you want to give your granddaughter what she wants, I feel you should give thought to this problem.

Sorry,

Mark

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Re: I would add something else
Nov 29, 2004 10:06AM PST

I agree that this is something to be concerned about, Mark. This business of deciding how much risk your children should be allowed to take is a tough one. The thing about their being overprotected is that it makes them vulnerable; the thing about their being underprotected is that is makes them vulnerable. I'm glad I'm a grandparent. grandpaw

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Re: I would add something else
Nov 29, 2004 11:44AM PST

I don't know what programs you are running grandpaw, but look around your system and you will find ways to increase security and block certain kinds of content.
If you are running XP Home, then go into Control Panel and look at Internet Connections.
Other stuff you may have installed will block various incomings, if you have enabled this.
I agree with you about over-protection of the young (I am 61), but there are very mean and clever people who will exploit without scruple, so it would be as well to increase security for your grandaughter ... which you can do selectively, if she has to log on in her own name and, for instance, you designate yourself as the administrator of your machine.
I think that what I have suggested is valid, but I daresay someone will correct me if I am a bit adrift.

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Re: aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies
Nov 29, 2004 6:57PM PST

I've cleaned up several computers that were so loaded with spyware, trojans and viruses, they barely ran. The computers had between 500 to over a 1000 malware files. The common thread? Teenagers using them. The worst messes I deal with are found on computers where IM and P2P sharing take place.

If you have the spyware/antivirus programs installed and updated, you can prevent a lot of it. But I have found kids have no idea the harm they are doing to the machines. Good luck.

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Re: aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies
Nov 29, 2004 11:39PM PST

When I told my granddaughter that the reason I am resistant to her using aol instant messeging is that it is too vulnerable to viruses, and she said, no, it's not, though she has no idea what she is talking about. That is the expected teenage response. I'm thinking about giving her a severe beating about the head and shoulders, except I'm afraid her Mom might find out and kill me. grandpaw

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Re: aol instant messeging, viruses and newbies
Nov 29, 2004 7:39PM PST

In a nutshell, IM'ing is another conduit to your system innards. If left unprotected or unfretted it maybe enough for malware to do some damage. You have granted access for IM, so a big obstruction(firewall) for malware stoppage so other defenses have to kick-in if available to prevent damage. Make sense? Sad

good luck -----Willy

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I'm not sure, Willy
Nov 29, 2004 11:59PM PST

I have Norton Security, including its firewall, Spyblaster, and Spybot to try to intercept malware before it gets in, and I use AdAware and Spybot, as well as Norton, to get malware out. Is that what you are talking about, that is, the defenses a person puts into play to stop malware?

I'm thinking about giving my granddaughter a trial run with AIM, expecting her to not click on any links she receives from anybody, and expecting her to limit her contacts to her school friends, and not click on any profiles other than those friends. If I get malware I can attribute to her, the deal will be off. I know I'm taking a risk, but I feel I owe it to her to give her a chance, and, unfortunately, instant messaging to teenagers is like reading the newspaper to old coggers like me; it is nearly a necessity of life.

I may be expecting too much of her, but I hate to prejudge that. I have provided her with both hard copy and online copy of the several articles brought to my attention in this thread, as well as an article Marianna cited in another thread, in the hope that she will recognize that the threat is real, and that she risks losing AIM altogether if she is not careful.

As Bob Profitt and others have said, it is a shame that what should be normal use of the internet has been made so risky. It looks like technology is its own worst enemy. I see that now the bad guys are trying to figure out a way to put cell phone use at risk of infection.

grandpaw

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Re: I'm not sure, Willy
Nov 30, 2004 12:14AM PST

Jerry
I haven't had AIM for quite a few years so this might have changed but make sure that her preferences are set to ONLY show her screen name to the people on her buddy list and NOT to have it public. That may make the threat of a pediphile a little bit less.

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I use AIM and recommend
Nov 30, 2004 4:43AM PST

that immediately after installing it and prior to actually using the program go into the Edit Preferences area and set up huge limitations and advise your granddaughter that if she changes ANY of them, you will uninstall the program at once.

Do NOT allow everybody to contact you....ONLY allow the people on her BUDDY LIST. She can get those names from her friends through regular email or on the phone ahead of time so if somebody tries to contact her, she will recognize the names, allow the message, and add them immediately to the buddy list.

Do NOT allow file exchanges....either direction...this way if one of her friends ends up with a virus, they won't be able to blame it on her since she won't be sending any files to anybody and she won't be accepting any. (Most of the files the kids want to share are pictures I've discovered, and if you think a prom picture can be allowed, you can override the setting long enough to let her receive or send it)

Make sure your granddaughter's USERNAME is the ONLY information given out by leaving the personal profile information blank. I think there is also an area where you can disallow an email address as well.

The list of preferences is pretty thorough in order to protect her (and your computer) so go through each tabbed area carefully to make your choices.

I've never had a virus and I don't get spammed by unknown people trying to contact me. You can even turn off some of the 'crawlers' that come with AIM such as news or weather tickertapes.

Closing the chat/message box DOESN'T close the program though so make sure she realizes that she also has to right click the little guy icon near the clock when she's done and choose to Exit the program as well to shut it off completely.

TONI

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Re: I have one more thought
Nov 30, 2004 6:51AM PST

Me again Grandpaw!

I notice you said that your granddaughter is a teenager.

I have my own thoughts about teenagers. Generally they concern straightjackets, prison cells, full head masks and chains on their legs, but I suspect I might be in the minority about this, Happy

But as you rightly observe, teenagers will say things that they know nothing about, eg you explained to your granddaughter about the risk of viruses whilst using IM's and she explained there was no risk.

Teenagers, amongst other things, are a crafty lot. Generally Grandparents are a generous lot. That is, Grandparents will often do things for their grandchildren that parents might not so easily have "given way to", if I might use that term.

OK, I'm rambling, and I'm sure I know a lot less about teenagers than many people on these forums do, but I have just thought of one thing.

Does your granddaughter have a PC and Intenet Access at home with her parents? If so, why is she so, (seemingly), insistent upon asking you for an IM on your computer? Is it perhaps because she has already asked her parents for one on hers and they have refused her?

I may have got the wrong end of the stick and if I have I apologise to you and to your granddaughter. But this might be another thing to consider.

I will shut up now.

Mark

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Re: I have one more thought
Nov 30, 2004 6:59AM PST

that's a good point (I actually am convinced that children are taken over by aliens when they are about five and aren't returned to the parents until they reach 25....if they would physically take them, many parents would be happy, but instead they are left behind with control being operated from outer space).

Something else that might be going on is that the parents might have refused only because they wouldn't/couldn't have the time to monitor much whereas grampaw might be more available for that type of supervision.

I would suggest he talk with the parents first to make sure he's not stepping on toes by doing something they would rather he not do.

Good catch, Mark.....

TONI

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Re: I have one more thought
Dec 1, 2004 12:26AM PST

It's a strange phenonom how teenagers can turn into real, live human beings with their grandparents. (I said "can" , not "will".) It's also a let-down how they sometimes, particularly when there's a full moon, revert back to their monster selves.

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Re: I have one more thought
Nov 30, 2004 11:07PM PST

Hi,Mark. I enjoyed and agree with your philosophy about teenagers. It sounds you may have been one yourself. My memory is rather vague about it, but I am told that I was one at some time in the past. I am very pleasantly surprised at how harmonious a teenager/grandfather relationship can be as compared to most teenager/mother relationships. Of course, you are quite right, they are masters of manipulation, but, judging from my own experience, they are much less stubborn about it with a grandfather than a mother.

In this case, however, my daugher and granddaughters live with me. The granddaughter, Chee' (where do they get those names?) does use AIM on her Mom's computer but her Mom claims it has not caused problems. Chee' used to use AIM on mine but it kept producing spyware and I felt it might be responsible for some virus problems I was having, and I didn't let her continue using it when I got a new, XP, computer. But I am going to give her a trial run, using Toni's recommendations, and some other ones provided to me in this thread.

grandpaw

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Re: I emphatically deny
Dec 1, 2004 6:33AM PST

I was ever a teenager.

It's a slur on my reputation!

I understad the situation now Grandpaw. Toni's suggestions are good.

Mark

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Wow, Toni, just what I wanted and needed
Nov 30, 2004 9:50PM PST

Thanks, grandpaw

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(NT) (NT) glad we could all help with this
Nov 30, 2004 10:03PM PST