Instant Messenger Security

1
Instant Messenger Security
2
Outline

• Instant Messenging(IM)
• Statistics
• Understanding Instant Message Viruses
• Examples of Instant Message Viruses
• 5 Steps to Protect Systems From Instant Message
  Viruses
• Useful Links

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What Is Instant Messenging

• exchange messages in real time
• make conversation by text, voice, or video.
• leave a text message or voicemail.

4
Messenger User Statistics

• AIM 53 million active users (Nielsen//NetRatings,
  August 2005), 195 million total (January 2003).
• Skype 45 million total (September 2005).
• MSN Messenger 29 million active
  (Nielsen//NetRatings, August 2005), 155 million
  total (April 2005).
• Yahoo Messenger 21 million active (September
  2005).
• Jabber 13.5 million total (Osterman Research
  August 2005).

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IM Trends Survey
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Why IM Is Targeted?

• Instant Messaging(IM), just like email, has
  become an easy way of attack for worm and virus
  writers.
• Worms, which used to be spead via email have been
  moving to IM.

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Understanding Instant Message Viruses

• Instant message viruses are malicious or annoying
  programs that are designed to travel through IM.

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How Most Users Are Infected

• Click a link which contains a malicious virus
• Download and run a program via IM
• Transfer a file

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Understanding Instant Message Viruses
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Worms

• Kelvir
• -spreads by sending a link to its file using
  MSN Messenger.
• -message that looks like that
• lol! see it! u'll like it
• -the message contains a link that points to
  the worm's
• http//home.earthlink.net/gallery10/me.jpg

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Continued

• Sumom
• -an IM (Instant Messaging) worm that spreads
  using MSN Messenger and P2P (peer-to-peer)
  networks.
• -makes every effort to protect its files from
  being removed.
• -copies itself to CD-Rs.

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5 Steps to Help Avoid Instant Message Viruses

• 1. Be careful downloading files in IM.
• -never open, accept, or download a
  file from someone you dont know.
• -open a file after confirming a sender.
• 2. Update your OS software.
• -visit OS website and install any high
  priority updates.

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Continued

• 3. Make sure youre using an updated version of
  your IM software.
• -use the most up-to-date version of your IM
  software.
• 4. Use antivirus software and keep it updated.

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Continued
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Continued

• 5. Use anti-spyware software and keep it updated.

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Conclusion
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Links

• http//security.yahoo.com
• http//www.aim.com/help_faq/security/faq.adp?aolp
  1
• http//messenger.msn.com/Help/?mkten-usLQ20
• Download antispyware
• http//www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa
  milyId321CD7A2-6A57-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671displa
  ylangen