ITinfo:There's Now A Problem With ICQ

Popular IM App Can Be Cracked

Free upgrade fixes security hole

ITINFO Sponsor

ITrain - International Association of Information Technology Trainers

The professional association offering online resources to Information Technology trainers, including discounts on certified software learning guides. Membership open to individuals, training companies, and vendors of related products and services.

"An especially highly-recommended way to stay current [as a computer trainer] is to join ITrain, the International Association of Information Technology Trainers."
ComputerUser Magazine

"ITrain.org has been selected as one of the best educational resources on the web."
StudyWeb

member@itrain.org
ITrain

Internet Poll

Have you attended a seminar via e-learning?

	yes
	no
poll archive

There's Now A Problem With ICQ

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

AOL Time Warner, owner of the popular ICQ (I Seek U) instant messaging (IM) software have confirmed a serious buffer overflow exploit that puts some users at risk of attack from hostile crackers.

The buffer overflow vulnerability affects versions of ICQ prior to 2001b that are running on Microsoft Windows.

To the portal of risk, users can upgrade to the current beta release version on ICQ's website.

Dave's Opinion

Don't confuse this ICQ security problem with the recent problem that affected AOL's' Instant Messenger software, a separate IM application from AOL Time Warner.

Instant Messaging is the hot topic for business this year. Road warriors can stay in touch with support staff and intra-branch interaction can take place without tieing up corporate trunk lines with voice traffic or incurring long distance and international phone charges.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments on the message center.

References

ICQ
Message Center

Damar Group, Ltd. helps business use technology.

ITINFO is again accepting sponsors. Sponsor messages are included in ITINFO's email newsletter and are permanently posted to DGL's website and online reference areas.

ITINFO is an electronic publication of Damar Group, Ltd., publisher of Training Express computer learning guides. Comments and submissions to info@dgl.com.

Previous issues are on our website at http://dgl.com/itinfo/.

updated January 15, 2002
http://dgl.com/itinfo/2002/it020115.html