New Yahoo IM Phishing Attack Surfaces
By Ed Oswald, BetaNews
December 12, 2005, 12:42 PM
Instant messaging security firm IMLogic warned of a new phishing attack making its way through the Yahoo! Messenger network on Monday. The attack, IM.Marphish2.Yahoo, attempts to steal personal information by duping a user into believing that they are in violation of Yahoo's Terms of Service. The user is instructed to contact the "abuse department" through a URL that points to the 2wahms.com domain.
When visited, the page looks similar to a Yahoo login page. However, once a user enters their personal information, the site steals the users username and password. IMLogic says that the effectiveness of such attacks is improving as they continue to build upon previous efforts and blend different methods together to further confound traditional antivirus programs.

NPR : Clever Worm Lures Victims with Chat-Slang:

Short-hand slang such as 'yt?' -- for 'You there?' -- is one reason software may be able to simulate a chat session. NPR

How the Worm Works
A message appears with a link to a site, and the note 'LOL, that's cool'
Questions often result in the response 'Nope, this isn't a virus. LOL'
Clicking the link releases the virus, which bypasses security
The virus replicates itself by contacting the user's IM buddies

How do you know when you're instant-messaging with a computer worm instead of one of your 'buddies?' Security experts say it's getting harder to tell the difference.

A malicious new computer worm initiates a chat with its victims through instant messaging and invites them to click on a link -- which allows it to spread to their IM buddies.

The worm, called IM.Myspace04.AIM, has been able to fool thousands of AOL users. Experts say that's because it copies human styles of communication, using shorthand phrases and slang. They say IM viruses spread faster than their e-mail counterparts.

To avoid the worm, Alan Paller, research director at the SANS Institute, which studies Internet security threats, says to double-check any messages with a link even if you think you know the sender.

He says one way to be careful is to start a new chat box with the same IM buddy and see if it's really them. One virus expert says to use the same caution on the Internet that you would use to avoid being mugged on a city street: Avoid strangers and make sure you're talking to a friend."

Spyware: Removing Pests & Blocking Ads

Spyware is secretly placed on your computer without your consent by unscrupulous websites or by unwittingly accessing dangerous downloads containing spyware software.

You'll be amazed at the amount of adware and spyware that infests your PC. Spyware gets added by dozens of programs like Kazaa, Morpheus, Bonzi Buddy, and others of the same ilk.

These pests spy on your online activities and report back to their owners every time you go online. One of their main uses is to trigger pop-up ads that are supposedly tailored to your online habits.


Your Spyware Solution

The best spyware remover is a software program called Spyware Nuker. It scans your PC on command, removing any and all computer pests.

Click here to learn more: Spyware



Your PC will run faster
You'll avoid pop-up ads
You'll enjoy peace of mind.

Click here for your free trial: Free Spyware

Be sure to take advantage of the free trial - Discover which parasites are infesting your PC right now.