I just got an IM on Skype from some random user trying to sound like an official service by being named Online Monitor ®:
I don't know how common things like this are on other IM clients (since I only use Gtalk) but I thought people should be made aware. I also took this opportunity to educate my wife about things like this to make sure she doesn't unwittingly click the link.
More info about this particular occurrence here: Skype Security Blog
Note that the link in my scam was different than the one posted on the Security Blog.
Quote
[1:01:12 PM] Online Monitor ® says: WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================
ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !
Affected Software:
Microsoft Windows Vista
Microsoft Windows XP
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows Win98
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
Impact of Vulnerability: Remote Code Execution / Virus Infection /
Unexpected shutdowns
Recommendation: Users running vulnerable version should install a repair
utility immediately
Your system IS affected, download the patch from the address below !
Failure to do so may result in severe computer malfunction.
[link removed]
I don't know how common things like this are on other IM clients (since I only use Gtalk) but I thought people should be made aware. I also took this opportunity to educate my wife about things like this to make sure she doesn't unwittingly click the link.
More info about this particular occurrence here: Skype Security Blog
Note that the link in my scam was different than the one posted on the Security Blog.
- carpe noctem