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A Security Hole in
AOL Instant Messenger-Truth!
but Resolved!
Summary of eRumor:
1-03-02 A warning that says
that a security hole has been discovered in AOL Instant Messenger
that can allow hackers to access your computer.
The Truth:
This was true, but a spokesman for AOL, Andrew Weinstein, says there
were no security breaches that they've heard of and that the problem
has been fixed.
Because the glitch was in their system at AOL, it has been fixed
without customers having to download any new software or patches.
According to Weinstein, the flaw was in AOL's most recent Windows
version 4.7 and did not affect non-Windows machines.
Last updated 1/5/02
A real example of the story as it has
been circulated:
> > Date: 01-03-02 > >New security hole is a threat to your
privacy! > > A
>newly discovered security hole in AOL Time Warner's Instant
Messenger can
> >allow hackers full access to your computer's data. AOL is
currently
>working on >developing a security patch that will fix this
vulnerability
>without the user having >to download a fix. In the meantime it is
>recommended that you do not accept >Instant Messages from Screen
Names you
>do not know. > >*DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL, you will not
receive a
>response. If you have a question >regarding your protection plan
go to the
>Customer Service Center at
> >http://www.promiseguard.com/customerservicecenter > >
