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Microsoft phases out MSN Messenger – Cybercriminals try to profit
Microsoft informed a while ago that Skype and Messenger are coming together. That means that millions of Messenger users will be able to reach their Messenger friends on Skype. By updating to Skype, Messenger users can instant message and video call their Messenger friends. This good news seems to being used now cybercriminals for attacking new systems. The criminals approach is fairly simple – they take advantage that MSN Messenger is still popular. Microsoft now promotes the download of Skype on the former MSN Messenger page and informs that the Messenger contacts will be available in Skype. There are then people that then still want to download MSN Messenger and this is the window of opportunity that cybercriminals exploit. They are registering malicious domains, buy advertising links on search engines and try to trick the user to download and install malware that masquerades as the MSN Messenger. With this they then get access to the computers of the victims and from there on the computer of the victim is under their control.
Don’t fall into that trap! Take steps to protect your computer (I wrote earlier a blog post about this that I now updated) and only download software from official sources which in this specific case download Skype from the official Microsoft site or from skype.com and you will be able to merge your messenger and skype contacts.
Migrate to Skype
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We are receiving currently increased feedback from Microsoft customers about calls they receive from - supposedly - Microsoft support. The callers claims to be a Microsoft representative or working for a Microsoft partner. The usual call goes about the following:
- The caller calls from either the UK or the US and informs the Microsoft customer that there is supposedly a problem with some software on the computer or that they have indications that the customer has had recently some security problems.
- The caller claims to be from either a Microsoft Partner or a “Windows Service Center”.
- The caller speaks English but often with an accent.
- The caller will try to gain remote access to the computer e.g. by asking the customer to go to a – fraudulent – support website and download software or then send something by e-mail.
- Usually, if the customer is suspicious and starts asking questions, the caller hangs up.
- Microsoft does not send unsolicited e-mail or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information.
- Microsoft does not make unsolicited phone calls to help you fix your computer.
- Communications claiming that you have won the “Microsoft Lottery” are fraudulent because there is no Microsoft Lottery.
- Microsoft does not request credit card information to validate your copy of Windows, Office etc.
- Microsoft does not send unsolicited communication about security updates.
Welcome to Reto Haeni's cloud
A cloud can be many things. A white patch in a sunny blue sky, the source of a powerful thunderstorm or almost unlimited computing power. My cloud is a place where I am discussing security, technology, productivity, IT-business alignment and corporate citizenship with a few lightning bolts once a while. I welcome all comments and feedback and if you have a question please use the contact form below.
About the Author
I am Microsoft's Chief Security Advisor for Switzerland and have over 15 years work experience in an information security and risk focused IT environment as program manager, technical director and CIO.
