Instant Message Questions

[Stoney80]

Is there a way to protect yourself from viruses, trojan horses, etc., when Instant Messaging? The way it has been explained to me is that anytime you IM you allow an open port to any hacker who wishes to exploit your machine. I was also told that there is no way to have private IM sessions that are safe. Is this true? If not, what is the best way to assure secure instant messaging? Thanks ahead of time.

[lost-and-found]

Here's the way I see it....whenever you use any program that connects to the internet, such as Internet Explorer, AIM, etc...those programs open up special ports, such as 80 with IE.... Even though those ports are open, if you have a firewall such as Zone Alarm, it keeps those ports only open to that particular application, unless the application itself has bugs (as is often known with MS products)....as long as you keep current with software updates, no hacker should be able to enter your PC while you chat on an IM program...

someone correct me if any of this is wrong.

AFAIK technically your correct there is no safe or secure way to use instant messaging other than knowing who the people are on the other end. When you use a program such as aim your allowing an access point to your computer which can then be exploited in the same way hackers exploit any other access point. Once you have connected and allowed access via the internet then you pretty much disable your firewalls protection and your relying on the protection provided by the service/program your using. Even given that your allowing the person on the other end access to your ip address which then gives them the ability to scan for other open ports that can be hacked.

[XShadowZxX]

Someone hacked to my computer.......

He did it through AIM.....bastard. Good thing i nuked my comp

[Stoney80]

So if I am reading this correctly, A) there is no way to protect oneself when instant messaging even if it is a one-on-one messaging, the fact remains that I have opened a port and I am vulnerable and, B) the bottom line is, ANYTIME one is on the internet they are one to a hacker. Correct so far?

[XShadowZxX]

Apprently so yes.

[vass0922]

If your machine is on the internet it is hackable.

Its kind of like if you build a house, somebody can break and in and rob your stuff.

Your job is to make it as difficult as possible for them to come in. IM products are pretty much insecure because they really don't care about your security. The only reason they patch bugs is for PR. Most DoD installations do NOT allow IM products for this reason.

Best bet is to only IM people you know.. but of course that takes out some of the fun..

Do beware of who you're talking to though, and DEFINATELY have a software firewall installed!
www.sygate.com is my preference