Instant Messaging Worms

Mon Jun 21 10:38:35 2004 Instant Messaging Worms

Posted by Tony Lawrence
Search Keys: spim spam worms
Referencing: http://www.informationweek.com/story/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=22100814

As though we didn't have enough problems with email, spyware, and web based security threats, now Symantec is warning that IM could present a serious threat:

  Symantec has done some simulations, said Chien, of possible IM client 
  infection speeds, and has found that a half-million systems could be 
  infected in a little as 30 to 40 seconds.
 

My first reaction to this was along the lines of "it would serve 'em right". This churlish and uncharitable attitude comes from my distaste for instant messaging to start with: I don't like it, don't want it, won't do it, and don't see the point of it. Isn't email "instant" enough? But that's me, and apparently millions of other people have need for this form of communication.

Communication isn't where the problem originates anyway; it's IM's ability to transfer files that opens up the potential for worm spreading. Again, I snarl that IM never should have had such ability: if the silly thing had to exist at all, it should have been limited to simple chatting. Why can't you use email to send a file? Snarl, mutter, snarl.

Well, because why not? It's "ease of use". There you are, chatting with your buddy, and she needs the Excel spreadsheet you keep the bowling stats on. It would be extra effort to go over to mail and send it, so IM lets you send it from here. Why not?

I can also grudgingly admit that IM has use within a business, both for messaging and file transfer. I don't see it as necessary or desirable outside of the corporate network, though, which is just what Symantec recommends: don't let this traffic in or out of your firewall.

By the way, this has apparently already begun: Adware spam targets instant messaging users. No doubt spam (they call it "spim" if it comes by IM) will be the major use of IM worms. This quote is from PC World's Cut Off Instant Messaging Spam (April 2004):

  This year, spim--spam over IM--messages will number about 2 billion, 
  four times last year's total, according to David Ferris, president of 
  Ferris Research. 
 

Well, I'm personally safe. I don't use it. But my wife does, so it is something I may have to worry about. It might be unpopular if a boss pulls the plug on public IM within the corporate structure, but there is no way I can cut off my wife and continue to live a normal life. I suppose that if IM is already deeply ingrained in your corporate culture, you might not be able to easily curtail it there either.

So here's to spim: yet another annoyance of the modern world.

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