Thursday, November 29, 2007

Malware new frontiers: Skype messages

I just got this chat message from the Skype user System Alert kindly informing me that I had malware in my computer and urging to download the patch from his/her internet site.

Below the full message:
WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
=============================

ATTENTION ! Security Center has detected
malware on your computer !

Affected Software:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
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.

http://www.alertscan.net/?q=update


Of course there is no malware in my Windows computer.

How do I know?
1) Not Skype nor any Skype user can have any idea what's in my computer. And if they do they won't tell
2) I have a Mac :)

Still, this ain't funny at all. Why? Because Skype has recently being experiencing a similar adoptions as emails 1o years ago. My mom uses Skype. My dad uses it. I'm convinced that if I go abroad my grandma will start using it.
I'm experienced enough not to be exposed to this shit, it's not necessary the same for them.
Moreover, we've developed shields for emails and for browsing but I don't know of any defence that can shield my parents from messages like this in Skype (of course I can blacklist this guy but millions more may pop up over time).

So forward this to any of your parents/friends that may be caught into this and tell them to pay attention!