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 4 of 10)
Dec 18, 2005 9:39 am
how do i use this program as i wana check if a contact has blocked me
Dec 10, 2005 1:34 am
Not unless you tell them, or the checker changes your name like this one does.
Dec 9, 2005 2:43 pm
Can any one knows if Im using block checker on their MSN account?
Dec 8, 2005 9:30 am
I hav never heard of the lock thing but another popular one is http://www.block-checker.com I tll of of my matiesw that it is virus but they wont listen tupic eh? ok g2g cyaz hav a gd day
bethan
xxxxxxx
Dec 8, 2005 1:52 am
I don't know how being offline will be displayed, but I don't think it's anything to be worried about!
Dec 7, 2005 12:43 pm
thank you so much, i just thank you for informing me.
i saw that whole message on one of my contact's nickname while i was seeming "offline", 10-15 minutes ago... and i did some searchings through google by typing "msncheck" + "how" + "works", and this page was one of the results. i tried to read everything, but i'm still wondering about somethings... i was seeming offline, and that person who used this thing wasn't blocked on my list, she suddenly appeared with this nickname and she changes it in a few seconds. i don't know cause i didnt use that site, and i won't, but what will she know about my messenger? i'm a bit curious about it, will a message saying that i'm blocking her (but i'm not, i was just offline be delievered to her?
i can't understand why people need to know about these things, why don't they just be sincere and directly ask about it? this is so dirty, it makes everything worse, how can't they trust me?!!
Dec 7, 2005 1:10 am
It's pretty unlikely that any software the website tries to install will affect a Mac, but you should give your system a check using whatever tools are available.
Nov 30, 2005 9:36 pm
i did go through it, being stupid... i have changed my password. Do you think because I am mac i will not be affected?
Nov 22, 2005 1:45 am
Did you install the search toolbar? It is more likely to be some spyware/adware than an actual virus, but the overall effect is the same to you. Spybot and Adaware should clean your system, as detailed above. Also give a better virus scanner a try, such as NOD32 or Kaspersky (both of which should have a trial version).
Nov 21, 2005 12:00 am
I'm dump enough to go to that web site...=(
i've already change my password and my hint question.
but what else will the virus do to my computer?
i tried to fix it with Norton, but it wont quarantine it...
just go straight pass the quarantine step and gimme the report..
what should i do now?
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