Details of a Windows Live Messenger Virus

I don’t often get to see Viruses in the “wild” anymore – either that’s because I’m snug and secure behind layers and layers of protection such as Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, Firewalls and regular updates that prevent the nasties coming anywhere near my systems, or my constant whingeing reminders to friends, family and clients about the potential dangers of the Internet have sunk in and everyone I know is safe and sound. I think I know which one of those statements is actually true…

I was therefore surprised to come across my first experience of an Instant Messaging virus recently in Windows Live Messenger (formerly MSN Messenger). A IM popped up from a friend asking me if I knew about these pictures – URL included for direct download. Suspicious, I Googled on the exact phrase used in the IM and quickly realised that this was a Virus attempting to infect me by downloading a dodgy attachment.

I won’t name the friend in question, but I’ve spoken to them directly only to hear “I’m having terrible problems with my computer” and realising that this must be the twentieth time I have told this individual that even with the best Anti-Virus in the world installed, spending your time downloading dodgy content from Peer to Peer sites will see you get infected again and again and again… Some people will just never learn I guess?

EDIT: Thanks to the always helpful Tim Long for mentioning an article on this exact sort of IM Virus.