Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/08/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Maybe a hoax, maybe not. Thought, it might interest you ....: << In a message dated 97-08-05 09:17:52 EDT, gschick@execpc.com (Greg Schick) writes: << I called AOL today to ask a couple of questions about access numbers and found out some interesting information. The person I spoke with said it is now possible to have your password stolen thru an IM. If someone IMs you and you respond, there is a program that uses this method to enter your AOL software and extract your password. I AM NOT joking about this or trying to start some stupid rumor. It is not very widespread yet, but AOL has absolutely no way of stopping it at this point. They told me they hope to have it fixed for AOL 4.0. If someone you don't know sends you an IM don't respond to it. However, you can cancel the IM and send them a new IM and be safe. Responding to an IM is the only way your PW can be stolen. I thought you might find this interesting and I would not have believed it if I had not heard it from AOL myself. I asked them why they didn't notify AOL members about this and they said they were in the midst of an ongoing investigation to stop the originator of the program and did not want to publicize it, but would give out the information to anyone who asked. You can call the Community Action Team at 1-888-265-3733 (this is a direct line to the CAT and the time you have to hold is much less than using the main 1-800 #) if you don't believe me. Hey, and lets be careful out there! >>