Attention AOL IM users

[pencilsharp]

Hey, kids. Just spreading the word. There's a security hole in AOL's Instant Messenger that can let hackers take full control of your computer. It involves the dreaded "buffer overflow" where a hacker sends a bunch of junk messages. That overwhelms the program and gives Mr. Cyberfool an opportunity to run any command his evil little heart desires. AOL sez they'll have this fixed "in the next day or two" and IM users won't need to download anything special for a fix. You can read the full write-up here. (http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/ap/20020102/tc/aol_security_2.html)

Ah, AOL's wizdumb strikes again... :rolleyes:

[Evil Dr. Reef]

That's just peachy...

[batboy2001]

Simply peachy, O well, I don't except unknown IMs anywho...

[Calhoun07]

Actually, as an AOL user, AOL is full of security holes. It's rather easy for people to break your password, for people to gain access to your computer thru back doors, and fun stuff like that. I know, cuz I have had problems with somebody getting in on my comptuer thru AOL. Of course, it was deliberate, so I am not one of those who is throwing out the program all together, but I understand that version 7.0 has even more security breaches.

[TuffyCatt]

Originally posted by calhoun07
Actually, as an AOL user, AOL is full of security holes. It's rather easy for people to break your password, for people to gain access to your computer thru back doors, and fun stuff like that. I know, cuz I have had problems with somebody getting in on my comptuer thru AOL. Of course, it was deliberate, so I am not one of those who is throwing out the program all together, but I understand that version 7.0 has even more security breaches.

Wow...that makes me feel really safe...oh well...I haven't had any trouble with it for the several years I've used AOL, so I guess I'll just keep on using it...I didn't know it had so many security holes, though...

[pencilsharp]

As an ex-AOLer (now recovering) I just wanna say this:
You can make your computer easy, or you can make it secure. AOL is designed for easy use. Nuff said.
This is why I go to the Hotmail website for my stuff instead of using Outlook. That's trouble, there. Don't open attachments unless you specifically ask for them. Duh. And use good passwords. Double duh. "Itsme" is NOT a good one. A good mix of letters and numbers is the best way to do it, and there are programs out there that will do it for you, tho I don't know how far you should trust a program from people that you may not know or trust...
Just remember, AOLers, keep your eyes open, 'cause the Magicians at AOL won't...

[James Harvey]

I'm glad I stopped using AOL. I still will use AOL IM, but I am no longer an AOLer. Granted, AOL was nice and all - but I just like using Hotmail more. I remember being told by a friend that using AOL is a big mistake - and I can see why with all the supposed security breaches. Now I'm glad I dropped AOL...

[Danielle]

Why am I not surprised? :rolleyes: It's strange that people always get AOL, say this version is the "cool new version". Just to remind everyone, they said the same thing for Version 5.0. Sheesh, you'd never know when to buy!

[Singin' Stray Cat]

Well, now you know one of the many reasons why a lot of people affectionately call it "AOHell" ... :rolleyes:

I don't even get on AOL itself much anymore - I check my e-mail from the "AOL Anywhere" page and use IE for web surfing. Big sigh of relief once I found out you can do that. :p