Yahoo Messenger Security Flaws and Fixes

Yahoo has been quite busy lately with their Yahoo Messenger Instant Messaging service on both the expansion and security fronts. Last week security expert found a vulnerability in Yahoo Messenger’s earlier versions which are still in use.

Yahoo messenger 5.6.0.1351 and earlier models of the popular Instant Messaging software were found to have a security hole in their peer to peer (user to user) file sending feature. According to reports filenames of a certain length could cause a buffer overflow which is labeled as “highly critical” and susceptible to hackers.

Also making Instant Messaging news last week was Yahoo’s change to Messenger server protocols which prohibit most third party messaging clients from connecting to the Yahoo Messenger network. There are ways to get around the third party IM blocking, since many private IM firms utilize their ability to be able to log into the Yahoo IM network.

Yahoo states that the block was set up to clamp down on Instant Messaging spammers that use third party loops to enter the Yahoo Messenger network.

Music and Games on Yahoo Messenger?

Yahoo is measuring the demand for new Yahoo Messenger features that would let people listen to music while chatting, or manage a single address book from IM.

In the past week, Yahoo started issuing surveys to select visitors of its Web network, questioning them on their preferences for potential features on Yahoo Messenger, the company’s popular instant chat application.

Fresh features could include games, friend icons, avatars or stealth-mode capabilities within Yahoo Messenger, according to sources.

Another enhancement includes letting IM users listen to music from the application (by Internet radio or perhaps a Yahoo Juke Box partnered with Launch).

Yahoo’s Business Messenger a Secure Alternative

If security holes and third party spamming are creating security scares with your Yahoo Messenger and business communications, Yahoo offers a secure Business Messenger service.

Yahoo’s Business Messenger can give a company a uniform IM solution that combines the best features of free, public IM with business-class features like enhanced security and administrative control.

Features of Business IM include:

• Centralized Administrative Control- Corporate IT department can control user access, namespace and IM application functions.
• Security- Text messages and file transfers are encrypted. Also, employees are authenticated against your corporate directory.
• Business-class Tools- Includes web conferencing integration, virus protection, spam control and more.
• Integrated Logging- Messages can be logged to provide companies with a documented record of all communications for regulatory compliance purposes.
• Sanctioned Access to a Major Public Network- Ability to ommunicate beyond the firewall with remote employees, partners, vendors and customers.

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