| Never before with Instant Messaging (IM) has a | | | | use to interrupt and interfere with your security |
| more vital warning been needed for current and | | | | software and produce the following results |
| potential IM buddies who chat on line. | | | | Terminates processes |
| John Sakoda of IMlogic CTO and Vice President of | | | | Removes registry entries |
| Products stated that, | | | | Stops services |
| \"IM viruses and worms are growing | | | | Deletes files |
| exponentially.Virus writers are now shifting the focus | | | | Hackers, who have gained access to your computer, |
| of their attack to instant messaging, which is seen as | | | | because of the easily accessible programs and |
| a largely unprotected channel into the enterprise.\" | | | | software as mentioned above, are enthusiastically |
| Because Instant Messaging operates on peer-to-peer | | | | incorporating this venomous little program into their |
| (P2P) networks, it spawns an irresistible temptation | | | | arsenal of weapons. |
| for malicious computer hackers. P2P networks share | | | | As recently as March 4, 2005, a new Trojan horse |
| files and operate on industry standard codec | | | | was discovered that modified settings in Internet |
| (encyrption codes) and industry standard protocols, | | | | Explorer. Windows 2000, Windows 95, Windows 98, |
| which are publicly open and interpretable. Anti virus | | | | Windows Me, Windows NT, Windows Server 2003, |
| software does not incorporate protection for Instant | | | | and Windows XP were the reported systems that |
| Messaging services. | | | | could be affected. |
| Like sharks in a feeding frenzy, these hacker | | | | On January 28, 2005, a press Release issued by the |
| mercenaries view Instant Messaging clients as their | | | | Department of Justice reported that a 19 year old |
| personal Cash Cow because of the ease by which | | | | was convicted for his criminal activity by creating and |
| they can access your computer via the publicly open | | | | unleashing a variant of the MS Blaster computer |
| and interpretable standards, unleash a Trojan horse, | | | | worm. Christopher Wray, Attorney General Criminal |
| virus, or worm, as well as gather your personal and | | | | Division stated that, |
| confidential information, and sell it to other depraved | | | | \"This malicious attack on the information |
| reprobates. | | | | superhighway caused an economic and technological |
| Please, dont be nave enough to think it wont or | | | | disruption that was felt around the world. |
| couldnt happen to you! | | | | By the way, malicious is defined by Webster as |
| Want to see how easy it is for hackers to access | | | | intentionally mischievous or harmful. |
| your Instant Messaging chat and what can happen to | | | | On February 11, 2005, in a Press Release issued by |
| you as a result? | | | | the Department of Justice, reported that another |
| Did you know that some hacker-friendly providers | | | | criminal was sentenced for circulating a worm. This |
| offer processor chips that can be bought on the | | | | worm,directed the infected computers to launch a |
| Internet? (I guess it would be pretty hard to walk | | | | distributed denial of service (DOS) attack against |
| into a store and ask the clerk to help them find a | | | | Microsoft\'s main web site causing the site to |
| processor chip that could be used to illegally hack into | | | | shutdown and thus became inaccessible to the public |
| a victims computer for the sole purpose of spreading | | | | for approximately four hours. |
| malicious code or stealing someones identity!) | | | | March 7, 2005, posted discovery of a worm named |
| Did you know that hacker-friendly providers actually | | | | W32.Serflog.B that spread through file-sharing |
| offer hacker software that enables these criminals to | | | | networks and MSN Messenger networks that |
| deliberately disable security on computers, access | | | | operate on publicly open and interpretable industry |
| your personal and confidential information, as well as | | | | standards administered by P2P systems that host |
| inject their Trojan horses, viruses, and worms? | | | | Instant Messaging clientsnone of which are |
| Hacker manuals are also conveniently accessible via | | | | protected, regardless of the anti virus software on |
| the Internet. One of these manuals shows how to | | | | your computer. The W32.Serflog.B worm also lowers |
| DoS other sites. DoSing (Disruption of Service) | | | | security settings and appears as a blank message |
| involves gaining unauthorized access to the command | | | | window on the MSN Messenger. |
| prompt on your computer and using it to tie up your | | | | SOLUTION |
| vital Internet services. When a hacker invades your | | | | Avoid at all costs, P2P file sharing networks as they |
| system, they can then delete or create files and | | | | operate on publicly open and interpretable industry |
| emails, modify security features, and plant viruses or | | | | standards. (Instant Messaging services run on P2P file |
| time bombs onto your computer. | | | | sharing networks.) |
| Sniff is a tool (originally intended to help | | | | If you like the convenience of text chatting via |
| telecommunication professionals detect and solve | | | | Instant Messaging, then why not consider an |
| problems) that reprobate hackers use to tamper with | | | | optimally secure VoIP (voice over internet protocol), |
| the protocol and sniff out data. When hackers sniff | | | | also known as a Computer Phone, that incorporates |
| out your IM data packet from Internet traffic, they | | | | the Instant Messaging feature. Make sure the VoIP |
| reconstruct it to intercept conversations. This enables | | | | internet service provider does not operate on P2P file |
| them to eavesdrop on conversations, gather | | | | sharing networks that use industry standard codec or |
| information, and sell it to other depraved criminal | | | | industry standard protocols that are publicly open and |
| entities. | | | | accessible. (Dont forget, these standards create the |
| Dont set yourself up to be the next Identity Theft | | | | vulnerability which hackers are capitalizing on because |
| Victim because you like to chat using Instant | | | | of their easy accessibility.) |
| Messaging. | | | | Optimally secure VoIP service providers that |
| Identity theft is one of the most sinister of | | | | incorporate a secure Instant Messaging feature, |
| vulnerabilities you can inadvertently be subjected to. | | | | operate from their own proprietary high end |
| Identity theft is defined by the Department of | | | | encryption codec on patented technology which is |
| Justice asthe wrongful obtaining and using of | | | | hosted in a professional facility. Simply put, when a |
| someone elses personal data in some way that | | | | VoIP internet service provider is optimally secure, the |
| involves fraud or deception, typically for economic | | | | Instant Messaging feature on the VoIP softphone is |
| gain. | | | | also incorporated in their optimally secure technology. |
| Identity theft is the by-product of hacker | | | | Heres the bottom line. |
| mercenaries obtaining your social security number | | | | If you are currently using Instant Messaging of any |
| (including those of your spouse and children), your | | | | sort, you need to make a decision:a. Continue enticing |
| bank account, your credit card information, etc., from | | | | hacker mercenaries and remain as a user of an |
| the Internet. You become a virtual Cash Cow for | | | | Instant Messaging service, orb. Take immediate |
| hackers as your information is then sold to other | | | | corrective action. |
| felons for financial gain. Using your information, these | | | | If you decide to take immediate corrective action: |
| criminals then:access your bank account fundscreate | | | | 1. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution |
| new bank accounts with your informationcreate | | | | provider that includes the Instant Messaging feature |
| drivers licensescreate passports | | | | in their proprietary patented technology. |
| Attorney General Ashcroft stated that, | | | | 2. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution |
| \"Identity theft carries a heavy price, both in the | | | | provider that has their own proprietary high end |
| damage to individuals whose identities are stolen and | | | | encryption codec. |
| the enormous cost to America\'s businesses. | | | | 3. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution |
| A group hosting a website known as was indicted on | | | | provider that has their own proprietary patented |
| conspiracy charges for stealing credit card numbers | | | | technology. |
| and identity documents, then selling them online. While | | | | 4. Find an optimally secure VoIP internet solution |
| this group allegedly trafficked $1.7 million in stolen | | | | provider that hosts their proprietary patented |
| credit card numbers, they also caused losses in | | | | technology in a professional facility. |
| excess of $4 million. | | | | Heres a place you can look over to see what an |
| According to a Press Release issued by the | | | | optimally secure VoIP internet solution provider looks |
| Department of Justice on February 28, 2005, a | | | | like--one that operates on their own proprietary high |
| hacker was convicted of several counts of fraud, | | | | end encryption codec with their own proprietary |
| one in whichhe fraudulently possessed more than 15 | | | | patented technology hosted in a professional facility, |
| computer usernames and passwords belonging to | | | | AND one that incorporates the Instant Messaging |
| other persons for the purpose of accessing their | | | | feature. |
| bank and financial services accounts, opening online | | | | Dee Scrip is a well known and respected published |
| bank accounts in the names of those persons, and | | | | author of numerous articles on VoIP, VoIP Security, |
| transferring funds to unauthorized accounts. | | | | and other related VoIP issues. Other articles can be |
| Trojan Horses, Viruses, and Worms The Toxic Trio | | | | found at |
| According to Dictionary.com, a Trojan horse is a | | | | **Attn Ezine editors / Site owners ** |
| subversive group that supports the enemy and | | | | Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety in your |
| engages in espionage or sabotage---an enemy in your | | | | ezine or on your site so long as you leave all links in |
| midst. The toxic cargo of Trojan horses can include | | | | place, do not modify the content and include the |
| viruses or worms. | | | | resource box as listed above. |
| A Trojan horse is a program that Internet criminals | | | | |