Can someone HACK into your PC through IM?

I'm really gullible and let someone I didn't know sign onto my IM list this
morning. They said they didn't know English very well, so while they were
typing to me (and I was watching them on the webcam as they smiled and looked
somewhat smug), I started to get nervous because nothing was being posted on
MY side of Instant Messenger! This went on for maybe a minute or two, and
finally I typed, "Are you still there?" as I watched them still smiling and
typing furiously! The typist just held up his index finger as if to indicate
"just a minute..." and I freaked out that my computer was being hacked, so I
hit the close X in the corner, and then blocked their address from my list!
Can someone please answer me if this is possible? I have the free Zone
Alarm, but nothing else for protection. How do I know if I've been hacked?
Should I call someone? PLEASE RESPOND! I know I was stupid, but I'm
TERRIFIED!

Greetings,

There are no known exploits in Windows Live Messenger. Thus meaning that there's no way
anyone can use the Messenger software itself to compromise your PC. Of couse your IP address
was probably exposed but unless your system has already been compromised or you're not
up-to-date on your updates, that's really no big deal. Additionally you have your firewall
so you don't have too much to worry about.

They were probably just speaking to other people.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"" < m> wrote in
message news:CB85BCB6-7A31-400F-96EF-...
> I'm really gullible and let someone I didn't know sign onto my IM list this
> morning. They said they didn't know English very well, so while they were
> typing to me (and I was watching them on the webcam as they smiled and looked
> somewhat smug), I started to get nervous because nothing was being posted on
> MY side of Instant Messenger! This went on for maybe a minute or two, and
> finally I typed, "Are you still there?" as I watched them still smiling and
> typing furiously! The typist just held up his index finger as if to indicate
> "just a minute..." and I freaked out that my computer was being hacked, so I
> hit the close X in the corner, and then blocked their address from my list!
> Can someone please answer me if this is possible? I have the free Zone
> Alarm, but nothing else for protection. How do I know if I've been hacked?
> Should I call someone? PLEASE RESPOND! I know I was stupid, but I'm
> TERRIFIED!

Do you do this with people you meet too?

Unknown person: Hello.. wait a miniute because I have to swallow what Im
eating and Ill talk to you.

You: Who are you??? and why are you not talking??? Dont gesture with your
hands that your eating...
I dont care.. talk now orrrrr...... you must be evil and want to kill me.. I
have a gun.. im warning you....
BAAAAMmmmmmmm.... thump....
Sorry ... I was afraid.....


""
< m> wrote in message
news:CB85BCB6-7A31-400F-96EF-...
> I'm really gullible and let someone I didn't know sign onto my IM list
> this
> morning. They said they didn't know English very well, so while they were
> typing to me (and I was watching them on the webcam as they smiled and
> looked
> somewhat smug), I started to get nervous because nothing was being posted
> on
> MY side of Instant Messenger! This went on for maybe a minute or two, and
> finally I typed, "Are you still there?" as I watched them still smiling
> and
> typing furiously! The typist just held up his index finger as if to
> indicate
> "just a minute..." and I freaked out that my computer was being hacked, so
> I
> hit the close X in the corner, and then blocked their address from my
> list!
> Can someone please answer me if this is possible? I have the free Zone
> Alarm, but nothing else for protection. How do I know if I've been
> hacked?
> Should I call someone? PLEASE RESPOND! I know I was stupid, but I'm
> TERRIFIED!

"" wrote:

> I'm really gullible and let someone I didn't know sign onto my IM list this
> morning. They said they didn't know English very well, so while they were
> typing to me (and I was watching them on the webcam as they smiled and looked
> somewhat smug), I started to get nervous because nothing was being posted on
> MY side of Instant Messenger! This went on for maybe a minute or two, and
> finally I typed, "Are you still there?" as I watched them still smiling and
> typing furiously! The typist just held up his index finger as if to indicate
> "just a minute..." and I freaked out that my computer was being hacked, so I
> hit the close X in the corner, and then blocked their address from my list!
> Can someone please answer me if this is possible? I have the free Zone
> Alarm, but nothing else for protection. How do I know if I've been hacked?
> Should I call someone? PLEASE RESPOND! I know I was stupid, but I'm
> TERRIFIED!

that would be pretty shocking, I highly doubt Microsoft would release the
product if this was true

a hacker wouldn't go on a camera making hand gestures.. he would log on
secretly and snoop around your computer, plant a Trojan to gain control
etc....

But that is very improbable too....

unless you have the secret designs for a nucliar weapon on your disks....
hey even that you can find freely on the internet nowadays!


GESSHHHH


"cooky560" <> wrote in message
news:4339340C-2029-404B-88F1-...
>
>
> "" wrote:
>
>> I'm really gullible and let someone I didn't know sign onto my IM list
>> this
>> morning. They said they didn't know English very well, so while they
>> were
>> typing to me (and I was watching them on the webcam as they smiled and
>> looked
>> somewhat smug), I started to get nervous because nothing was being posted
>> on
>> MY side of Instant Messenger! This went on for maybe a minute or two,
>> and
>> finally I typed, "Are you still there?" as I watched them still smiling
>> and
>> typing furiously! The typist just held up his index finger as if to
>> indicate
>> "just a minute..." and I freaked out that my computer was being hacked,
>> so I
>> hit the close X in the corner, and then blocked their address from my
>> list!
>> Can someone please answer me if this is possible? I have the free Zone
>> Alarm, but nothing else for protection. How do I know if I've been
>> hacked?
>> Should I call someone? PLEASE RESPOND! I know I was stupid, but I'm
>> TERRIFIED!
>
> that would be pretty shocking, I highly doubt Microsoft would release the
> product if this was true