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 7 of 10)
Sep 26, 2006 6:02 pm
like the blog author says....."what are you really gonna do when you find out....?"....i am a bit late with this topic but of everything i have read ......thats the best advice i picked up.....u rock blog author you....!!!!!
Sep 20, 2006 6:14 pm
SHIT ...one of my friends had the thing as an msn name "check out msncheck.net" so like a retard ...i checked it ..n yea it worked! luckly a few days later i came upon this...DAMN ...my emails workin fine n just now i changed the password so am i safe? Im gonna start warning everyone i know when i get to scool?!
NOW MY EMAIL AINT WORKIN!...no MSNmyspace or EMAIL ..only messenger is working
Sep 10, 2006 1:18 pm
how can i do , for check that...
Aug 28, 2006 12:33 am
alo, i went on that n some of my friends did aswel and it changed our nickname things 2 the website name and wuldnt let us change it bk so we've all had 2 get new accounts! it's a total rip off!
Jul 25, 2006 3:17 am
you dont have to use this kind of scam sites to make use of that function. just go to your msn tools--->options--->privacy and click on view "who's added me on the list". counter check with the list on your msn list and you'll find the missing contacts. those are the ones that have blocked or deleted you. have fun
Jul 17, 2006 9:25 am
I've tried both my old and new password with no success at all. I'm guessing all my information has been altered by whoever's running this msncheck.net site. I've been in touch with the msn tech support group. They are going over my account and information, and hopefully they can resolve this matter soon.
Whoever's reading this, don't be foolish and try this site out. I was bored and stupid enough to fall into it now look at what's happened!
Jul 17, 2006 3:55 am
Double and triple check your password. Hotmail sometimes has periods of unavailability which may look like you can't login. Try both your old and new password.
If that doesn't work then you'll have to get in touch with hotmail support and hope they can do something for you
Jul 14, 2006 8:50 pm
I was bored, and stupidly tried it. Then my friend informed me of what the site actually does and advised me to reset my password. I did, and now i can't log onto my hotmail or my msn!!!! What do i do now?!?!?!?!
Jun 21, 2006 1:36 pm
hahahahahahaha lol i need help in changin ma passy on msn?!:@
Jun 18, 2006 10:55 pm
well, i've tried this checker a couple of times and i can say it's safe...
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