Can you get hacked through instant messaging?

Published on October 3, 2007 By Sugar High Elf In Personal Computing

Yesterday, my boss looked over my shoulder and saw that I was chatting with a coworker in another building about a situation that had just happened and that I would soon deal with. I was also had an IM screen open with another coworker in another room, and had asked her some questions about a travel claim I was doing.

My boss freaked out on me -- not because she thought I was wasting time chatting with friends and not working (which I wasn't) but because my computer could get hacked through the instant messenger.

I used to have Google Talk downloaded on my computer, but was told to get rid of it because the download could be dangerous. Now, I use web-based Google Talk or, more recently, www.meebo.com.

My question is -- are my boss and IT guy correct? Can I get hacked because I use instant messaging? If so, would I have to be in contact with the hacker? Would I have to accept a file transfer?

Any help you all can give me would be great.

Comments (Page 2)

Dr Guy

on Oct 04, 2007

Yes, but she has a point, Dr. Guy. A good network administrator acts proactively rather than browbeating someone for using software that is not expressly forbidden. He could lock down the site on the network and force them to use computers outside the network (which pose no risk to the network) to connect to the messaging service they need. He could (and should) set privileges to further minimize the risk.

Actually, if he was half way competant, that is the first line of defense. I do not deny that. But we were getting hacked by 5th graders when I worked for the schools! No, they could not hack our administrator accounts, but you should see what they did to the teacher ones!

The High school kids hacked the administrator ones.

Sugar High Elf

on Oct 05, 2007

anytime you convrse with someone via IM, it is an open door.

Does this mean I would have to be in contact with the hacker? Sorry to be so obtuse, I'm just curious.

Our IT guy tried to deny me access to programs I needed for my job that my supervisor wanted on my computer. He just doesn't like change...

Alternate Setting

on Oct 06, 2007

Assuming malicious code doesn't already exist on your network, then yes - the code/script must be delivered from an external source and this requires a connection between your machine and that of the machine serving the code/script.

Operate on a default deny basis, inviting only trusted sources to see and contact you.

Dr Guy

on Oct 06, 2007

this requires a connection between your machine and that of the machine serving the code/script.

And since the Bank of India was just hacked for that purpose, you can never be completely safe and comfortable with it.

ShelbyGT_The_Car

on Oct 06, 2007

If the computer does not belong to you then you are to do exactly what the owner says to do with it! No matter what you think or may find out - it is the fact that security is in place and rules are made to be followed.
We just this last month fired 3 more employees for failing to use their company computers correctly. All 3 had gotten a virus and it was due to personal use of IM and personal emails. My company has a zero tolerance for improper use of computers. Proper and improper use is set out in a guideline which you have to read and sign that you completely understand you are agreeing to it. Otherwise you will be terminated immediately upon any type of failure to do so by any means.

It is sad company's have to do such things to ensure their security on the net. But I've looked at what has happened to people in the past. Which did not follow those rules and they caused all kinds of very bad problems for security. Thus I must agree with what those guidelines say and follow them to the letter.

If your company needs you to use such a messaging application then they will install a network type of messaging program. But would it not be easier to use a phone? Or for that matter an intercom?

Company emails are sent via share point server where I work and it is the best way to get any good message to anyone anywhere. Due to the fact that a lot of the people I email via this system has a blackberry phone and will get the email asap!!!

Good luck and be careful there - you could get a virus or pickup something on your computer and loose your job because of it.

It is not worth it~!!!

SGT

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