Building a Windows Live Messenger security Dam

Windows Live Messenger (WLM) has historically been a favorite of white-collar workers with privacy, and security has been mentioned as unprecedented in the absence of cyber attacks today. To prevent WLM inadvertently leaked our secrets, we must do their own, build a WLM network security flood Dam!

Safety First Dam: Do not let chat record exposure

WLM allows users to save chat records, but it is irresponsible to keep our chat records in plain text in an XML file. These chat log files are saved by default in "C:documents and Settingsadministratormy documents I received in your WLM account with the folder history of the number named" directory. In this directory there are many XML files named after the names of the WLM contacts, which is the WLM chat history file. Any user just double click on IE to open these files, you can easily see our chat records. Therefore, when used in public, be sure not to forget to turn off the chat logging feature. Click tools → options in the WLM window, select the message option, and remove the Xianqing from the Automatically retain dialog history check box in the right pane (see Figure 1).

Figure 1 Checking the history of automatic retention dialogs

Safety Second Dam: Ensure the security of receiving files

We often need to transfer files with friends, many viruses like to take a file transfer of the car, then, friends to our file security? Use antivirus software to kill some of their own to see. Switch to the file Transfer option in the Options window, check the use the following program for virus scanning checkbox, and then click the Browse button to open the main program for antivirus software that is already installed in your system. Later, when we receive the files from friends, anti-virus software will automatically scan the killing, to ensure the security of the system. In addition, it is recommended to check the "Automatically reject files with known unsafe types" checkbox (see Figure 2) so that when the contact is sending us an unsafe type of file, WLM will automatically help us to reject it.

Figure 2 Check "automatically reject files with known unsafe types"

Security Third Dam: Using the Windows Live Security scanner

The Windows Live Security scanner is a new, free service for Microsoft, and in the window shown in Figure 2, click the Install button following the Windows Live Security scanner, and WLM will automatically download the install Windows Live Security scanner. The Windows Live security scanner is the only virus scanner available for shared folders, and it is much safer to share files between WLM contacts later.

Safety Fourth Dam: Stop unwelcome guests

Users who use WLM every day generally encounter a strange phenomenon: six or seven strangers add themselves as friends, after the online, these strangers will recommend a site to you, and then a silent. Their state always shows up as busy. If you talk to them, the answer is "I'm busy, please contact me later" automatic reply. These are the "robot advocates" from a website, and they are all ads for you. For these uninvited guests, do not hesitate to add to the blacklist. Open the Options window, switch to the Privacy page, select those strangers, click the Block button, add to the list of blocked lists on the right, and check the "only people on my allow list can send messages to me" checkbox. In addition, pay attention to meet the stranger sent such as "long time no contact, how are you recently?" I changed the new MSN "Such information, to firmly refuse not to add to the contact person."

If you are asked to add your MSN friends, you must be vigilant, especially the display of the name of "Happiness is always similar, recently okay, I changed the new MSN" Netizens, these are from a website "robot propagandist", transmission to you are advertising.

Safety Fifth Dam: Filter Link threat

When chatting with the contact person, if the other side of the WLM in the poison, will send us some virus-linked, or some advertising links, if we are delayed, then we will WLM poisoning. Therefore, it is necessary for us to block the links in the Chat window. In the WLM Options window, switch to the Security page and clear the check box in the Allow links to be displayed in dialog window and allow WLM to start conversation from a link in the Web browser checkbox.