Spyware, viruses, & security : Your IM Account Information is Available on the Internet!

Your IM Account Information is Available on the Internet!

by Marianna Schmudlach  - 5/27/09 7:24 AM

05-26-2009 10:00 PM

Security Response China writes...


Instant messaging (IM) applications are widely used nowadays, and while more and more people use them, they’ve also become increasingly feature heavy. Besides the original chat function, IM applications have also integrated other useful features such as blogging, photo albums, online games, etc. More functions enhance the user’s Internet surfing experience, help people to share information and thoughts, and even allow users to manage their assets online.

While people are enjoying the convenience brought by advanced technologies and services, hackers are also aiming at the information that people are increasingly putting on the Internet, especially when the information is profitable. Online account information is definitely one of them.

A recent security event is a warning to us all. It was discovered that people’s IM account information is available online by searching keywords such as “[IM USERNAME] password txt filetype:txt.” Hundreds of search results are returned containing the details of the requested information. Moreover, some of the information has proven to be valid and could be used to log in and manipulate the accounts.

More: https://forums2.symantec.com/t5/blogs/blogarticlepage/blog-id/malicious_code/article-id/274