10 Ways to Defend Against IM Threats

Consumers can protect themselves from viruses, worms, and Trojans delivered through IM. By following some basic rules, it’s easy to keep these threats from slowing you down.

• Choose your screen name carefully. Don't use your real name, email address, or other personally identifiable information.
• Only share your screen name with people you trust, and ask them to keep it private. Only communicate with people on your contact or buddy list. To prevent “spim” (IM spam), use settings to block messages from people you don’t know.
• Don’t display your screen name or email address in public places such as Internet directories or personal profiles. Some IM services link your screen name to your email address when you register. Consider setting up a secondary email account if this is the case, since your address could be harvested for phishing attacks.
• Never provide private information like account numbers or passwords in an IM conversation. Network sniffers can intercept unencrypted IM traffic. Anti-virus software and a firewall will protect you from Trojans and viruses, but cannot protect your information once it leaves your PC.
• Fortify your computer with strong security software and keep it up to date. The security suite guarantees trusted PC protection from viruses, hackers and spyware. Its cutting-edge features include X-Ray for Windows®, which detects and kills rootkits and other malicious applications that hide from anti-virus programs. Its integrated anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, anti-spam, anti-phishing, and backup technologies work together to combat today’s sophisticated, multi-pronged attacks.
• Configure your IM application correctly. Make sure it does not open automatically when you fire up your computer. Turn off your computer and disconnect the DSL or modem line when you’re not using it.
• Enable automatic Windows updates, or download Microsoft® updates regularly, to keep your operating system patched against known vulnerabilities. Install patches from other software manufacturers as soon as they are distributed. A fully patched computer behind a firewall is the best defense against Trojan and spyware installation.
• Configure your anti-virus software to automatically scan all email and IM attachments and downloaded files. Never open attachments from people you don’t know. If you know the sender, contact them to confirm the file is trustworthy. Beware of spam-based phishing schemes—don’t click on links in emails or instant messages.
• Be careful when using P2P file sharing with IM. Trojans sit within file sharing programs waiting to be downloaded. Avoid files with the extensions .exe, .scr, .lnk, .bat, .vbs, .dll, .bin, and .cmd. Configure your file settings to limit the folders that other users can access.
• Monitor and limit your children's use of IM. Put the computer in a high traffic family area and limit nighttime use. Parental controls in the firewalls or any security suites help parents control the information that their children receive and send.