Possible MSN scam
I've noticed a couple of the contacts on my MSN list have started displaying 'http://msncheck.41m.com - free way to check who blocked and deleted you on msn'. Naturally I went to this website to investigate and found that it promised the ability to check if anyone has blocked or deleted me, provided I gave my msn username and password.
Now there is no way I'm giving my username or password to anyone, let alone an unknown website. However, I was curious as to what would happen if I did. I tried the website with false information:
Note the 'your login info will be stored on our server for future use*'. This is the closest to any sort of privacy statement and/or website intent.
It then told me that it couldn't connect to my account (not surprisingly), and attempted to install a search bar. Ouch. All of this leads me to one conclusion: it's some sort of viral scam.
I may of course be wrong, but the way I see it working is this. You enter your details into the website which then stores them for future use*. Meanwhile, the website logs into your account and changes your name to contain a link back to the website (while putting adverts onto your computer with the search bar). Now all your friends will see the website's address and will probably also click on it. And so the website spreads.
Digging a bit further I find that the site has been registered to the following individual:
41M
41M - (sam@41m.com)
+1.-
Fax: -, +1.-
1212 AIM st
AIM, CA 0000000
US
Would you trust those details?
My own opinion is to avoid this website. At the end of the day, does it really matter if someone has blocked you? If they have then what are you going to do - tell them you know and force them to talk to you?
Whether the website does allow you to check for blocked/deleted friends I don't know, but I do know that once they have your password they have full access to your email and can probably extract other passwords and account details that might be stored there. This could potentially give them access to much more sensitive data. If you (or any of your friends) have entered details here then I would advise you change your password pronto.
* Future use being something bad
Suggested solutions
If you have already signed up for this service, and downloaded the 'search bar', then there are a couple of things you can do to clean your system out:
- Change your password and password hint immediately
- Run a Spyware/Trojan/Adware detection program:
- Run a virus scan
Comments (page 1 of 10)
Aug 25, 2005 8:27 am
there is another site that cums up when one of my contacts logs on saying"i know whos blocking u i have msn-block-checker" I clicked this link and installed and now everytime a contact writes a message to me the same one cums up on there screens recieved by me???? I cant uninstall this and is getting very annoying. anyone any ideas what this is. Someone told me it was a trogan virus and now most of my contacts have it
Aug 23, 2005 12:22 pm
But the point is that to obtain this information you have to give your username and password to a random internet person. This is like giving the keys to your house to a guy you met in a bar, just because he says he can do you a favour. He probably can do the favour, but the fact remains that he has your keys.
Handing over your username and password means your email can be read without you ever knowing.
Aug 23, 2005 12:44 am
it does work, no one has gotten into my msn or e-mail. Also there are other ways to check to see if someone has deleted you...On your msn go to Tools, then Options, then Privacy, then click on view and there ya go. If someone has you deleted, tell them, y not? why should they be unfair to you if they still have you on their msn?
Aug 21, 2005 8:30 pm
I got screwed than... damn it! Have a nice day.
Aug 18, 2005 6:26 pm
hey thanx one of my friends had that on her name & being wary i did a search on it & found this info....so glad i am suspicious of things like that....thanx again for the info & i have already warned everyone on my accounts to stay away from it too
Aug 18, 2005 4:06 pm
thanks bud
Aug 18, 2005 8:00 am
This sounds like a BIG HUGE rip off!! i don't wanna use it. NO WAY - HAVE A NICE DAY!
Aug 18, 2005 7:54 am
Thnx for this info i was about 2 click on the site bt i read this 1st nd didnt in the end thnx
Aug 17, 2005 11:49 am
Hey.. this freakin site is gay! so have a nice day and be happy anyways! =)
Aug 16, 2005 7:50 am
This is so dodgy it makes day old fish smell fresh.
MSN does maintain server lists so you can check, if not who has blocked you, then who hasn't added you to their list. The native interface for this sucks though. I use Miranda which makes it easy to check this.
Leave a comment