Strangers add me to their contact list. Why?

[Mark Hayworth]

I just got a new computer (Dec. 23, 2003) and Windows Messenger v4.7
came preinstalled on it. It's using a wireless USB to communicate
through a LinkSYS router, so there is a firewall. When I first turned
on the computer, there were 4 or 5 people with names I never heard of
who added me to their Windows Messenger contact list and WM was asking
if I wanted to let them contact me. Of course I said no. But every
day or two, I get a new popup message saying that some stranger has
added me to their contact list, and WM asks me if I want to let them
contact me.

The main questions I have are:
1. How did these people (strangers) get my WM information?
2. Why might they be wanting to add me to their list? Is it some
kind of worm or spam thing?
3. Does everyone else have this problem with strangers adding them to
their list every day or two? How about ever, or more or less
frequently than that?

Mark Hayworth

 

[Joe727]

I just got a new computer (Dec. 23, 2003) and Windows Messenger v4.7
came preinstalled on it. It's using a wireless USB to communicate
through a LinkSYS router, so there is a firewall. When I first turned
on the computer, there were 4 or 5 people with names I never heard of
who added me to their Windows Messenger contact list and WM was asking
if I wanted to let them contact me. Of course I said no. But every
day or two, I get a new popup message saying that some stranger has
added me to their contact list, and WM asks me if I want to let them
contact me.

The main questions I have are:
1. How did these people (strangers) get my WM information?
2. Why might they be wanting to add me to their list? Is it some
kind of worm or spam thing?
3. Does everyone else have this problem with strangers adding them to
their list every day or two? How about ever, or more or less
frequently than that?

Mark Hayworth

Is the firewall on the router enabled? Is the router password protected?
You might want to consider running the free version of Zone Alarm:

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

1 - probably from the Hotmail Member Directory

2 - You'll have to ask them.

3 - No

Joe

 

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Mark,

Joe answered your questions fine, but I just wanted to add that this isn't any of the
Messenger worms that have gotten publicity this week (which really aren't anything damaging
nor new). It sounds like some coincidental adding. I'd really only be concerned if the
Passport e-mail addresses that were adding you were names like:
(e-mail address removed) (or similar).

I admit I don't have this problem myself, but I have known others which have far more
"obvious" and "regular" Passport addresses then I do which have.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com