Windows Live Messenger

Legacy_user

Hi,
I have recently signed up to Windows Live Messenger so I can chat to friends etc, however a friend of mine said that it's unsafe and there have been lots of issues with accounts being hacked etc and suggest that I move to something else. Has anyone heard or experienced this as such please or have any comments..

Browntoa

never had any security issues

security issues are normally paste everything about yourself on facebook including date of birth and schools you attended and display your email address. Gives average hacker enough data to answer your security questions and access your account by changing the password

or clicking on a page that asks you to "verify your details" from an email you recieve

System

Thank you Browntoa, appeciated. I'm not into facebook, twitter etc. Just wanted to see if anyone on this forum was aware of any issues etc. Thanks again..

jayme1

your friend is wrong, it is usually a case of, if you use a non official client then that is where all the security issues come from because it could be anyone who wrote it.

if you are using the official microsoft windows live messenger with your username and password and are not giving out sensitive data then there are no security risks at all.
you may be tried to be added by 'spam' accounts (exactly like when you recieve spam at your email address) just click block and reject/ignore when it asks you 'do you want to add this person', and always use a strong password and keep it secure.

that will see your accounts integrety be maintained.

m00nie

watch what files you accept also.. there are a few scripts that are made to steal your login credentials.

as long as you use it between your freinds you reduce the risk. (as long as your friends stay safe also as if there accounts get compromised its easier to trick you into something)

and as above both said watch what can be linked to you...

there is a trick to revert an account by pretending to microsoft you have lost access to your account which dont take much information to do but again someone would need to a) know what there doing b)be targetting you specifically so its another rare thing really..

calvinwhite78

you have to be careful on accepting files via messenger and also clicking unwanted links. also make sure you has the latest version of it.