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Windows Messenger Spam...are you getting any?

Discussion in 'Software Apps' started by hellokitty[hk], May 16, 2009.

?

Are you sending or receving spam through Windows Live Messenger?

Yes, I am getting spam from messenger. 4 vote(s) 66.7%
I am not sending or receiving spam via messenger. 2 vote(s) 33.3%
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  1. hellokitty[hk] I'm a TechSpot Evangelist

    I've recently noticed a Windows Live Messenger hijacking trend. Some contacts, specifically the ones who tend not to sign in as often, randomly come online, throw in a spam message with link, and go offline. As I mentioned, the hijackers tend to target the contacts most often online. I am also getting some vulgar usernames sending me likewise vulgar links. Obviously you wouldn't want to open op the links, and especially not enter your Messenger username and password, one of the links directs you to a website asking for your Messenger account (yes, I did open the link :/). How many other people are having this problem, and what are some ways you can combat it?

    The poll questions options are: Yes, I am getting spam from messenger, or am sending spam, and No, I am not sending or receiving spam via messenger.
    hellokitty[hk], May 16, 2009
    #1

  2. Matthew TechSpot Editor, Community Manager

    Heh, someone I rarely talk to that pops online somewhat frequently uses an alias (Mike, for the record). About once a week (give or take) he signs on and sends me a spam message about acai berry pills, and his alias is stripped away with his email address showing instead (default for MSN I believe, correct?). So annoying. I've tried to inform him of the situation, but have had no luck.
    Matthew, May 16, 2009
    #2

  3. HaMsTeYr Newcomer, in training

    At least 5 people on my contact are doing that, and honestly some of these things are so obvious, i have no idea why people click on them and get infected...

    Most of the infected are people whom i rarely talk to and i know have little to no knowledge about computers and perhaps digital security... >.>

    At least i'm logging in my msn using Gmail so when it sends those fake links, even through email that you have to log in to hotmail or what not, i can instantly tell its fake heh.

    Ditched hotmail a long time ago. That web mail service? is just spam bait. As i know you can't inform them, it blocks incoming but leaves outgoing open perhaps? Best you can do is block them...

    Amusing story though, my OLD hotmail account got hacked into and used for this purpose. I saw myself log into my own old account and start sending mail out, so i went and killed my Hotmail account. Not sure how that happened since i haven't used my hotmail in over 4-5 years but yeah, somehow they managed to grab passwords for the account....
    HaMsTeYr, May 16, 2009
    #3

  4. hellokitty[hk] I'm a TechSpot Evangelist

    Seems to be a recent trend, and I think it is effecting many more people now.
    hellokitty[hk], May 16, 2009
    #4

  5. dayslayer8 Newcomer, in training

    in my opinion, people who sends these virus links when offline is most likely to be already infected by those viruses.=o
    dayslayer8, May 17, 2009
    #5

  6. hellokitty[hk] I'm a TechSpot Evangelist

    Yes, my friend mentioned he got a virus infection and then the spam started, though I doubt the spam from strange usernames is from a virus.
    hellokitty[hk], May 17, 2009
    #6

  7. vahnx Newcomer, in training

    Yes, only those who are infected send those spam messages and appear offline when you go to reply.
    vahnx, May 17, 2009
    #7

  8. Tedster Techspot old timer.....

    I do not use instant messengers. They can be viri conduits.
    Tedster, May 17, 2009
    #8
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