AIM IM bombardment....help!

[roc17]

My teenage daughter screamed for me to come look at her p/c last night while she was 'IMing' with her friends. To our horror, there were multiple chat (?) screens opening as we watched for what appeared to be, everyone on her IM list. I tried the following with no luck:

1) Closed all programs and ran Norton's virus scan - (updated signatures - no viruses)

2) Ran SpyBot - (ran updates - no spyware)

Everything else seems okay....except for some browser window that now opens, but can be closed right away without any apparent harm.
I thought of uninstalling then reinstalling AIM too.

Any help would be greatly appreciated....

 

[mechBgon]

That does sound like an IM worm. What version of Norton antivirus do you have (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005) and is it set to use maximum heuristics and to scan within compressed files? I'd get a second and third opinion using Kaspersky's web-based scanner and Panda's web-based scanner.

 

[BadThad]

Also, be aware that while installing the newer versions of AIM you have to DESELECT the optional install of all the malware. Unfortunately, AIM comes bundled with a batch of nasty malware programs these days. If you're careful during the install, you can avoid it.

 

[sykopath79]

Originally posted by: BadThad
Also, be aware that while installing the newer versions of AIM you have to DESELECT the optional install of all the malware. Unfortunately, AIM comes bundled with a batch of nasty malware programs these days. If you're careful during the install, you can avoid it.

Better yet, use an alternative instant messaging client such as Trillian or Gaim - no bundled extras, no ads, and support for AIM/MSN/Yahoo/ICQ/IRC/Jabber all from one client (no need to run multiple messenger programs).

I've been using Trillian for years, and Gaim has become very good too; I shudder every time I have to use the actual AIM software. It's fugly.

 

[roc17]

sykopath79.......Sounds like you have the answer....once I get this current mess cleaned up. Is Trillian a 'freebee'?...and can a current user list on AIM be imported?...Also, is there a preferred web-site to install from....of just Google it?

Thanks a ton to everyone!

 

[sykopath79]

Trillian can be downloaded & used for free, the Free and Pro versions actually use the same installer with v3.x, only difference being some features that are not available in the Free version. I don't even think I use any of the features that having a Trillian Pro license unlocks, but I like the program so much that I gladly pay for a Pro subscription.

To download Trillian, go to www.trillian.cc; if you want to try Gaim (another good, Free IM client), you can download it from its Sourceforge.net page.

Oh yeah, and in case it wasn't already obvious, make sure you have up-to-date antivirus software installed. I recommend Trend Micro's PC-Cillin 2005 for retail antivirus, or AVG or Avast! if you want a free antivirus solution.