hack? Options

[be-my-escape]

well a friend of mine told me that when you direct connect with someone on AIM theres a chance that they could hack into your computer if they know how. is this true?!

[EddieV]

It is, but they have to know what they're doing.

[*mipadi*]

When you connect directly to another user via AIM, you essentially broacast your IP address (a number unique to your computer at a given point in time) to that user. The user can discover your IP address by using certain utilities, such as Windows' traceroute utility.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The user still needs to bypass security on your computer to really do anything--so it's not like the average joe can hack into your computer.

[*kryogenix*]

When you connect directly to another user via AIM, you essentially broacast your IP address (a number unique to your computer at a given point in time) to that user. The user can discover your IP address by using certain utilities, such as Windows' traceroute utility.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing. The user still needs to bypass security on your computer to really do anything--so it's not like the average joe can hack into your computer.

netstat also works too right?

[EddieV]

If the hacker was good enough, they don't have to connect to you computer via AIM.

[*mipadi*]

netstat also works too right?

Yeah, any network monitoring utility, including netstat, will suffice as well.

[*ranniel*]

well not in all aim issues, if you have the newer version, all you can really get is one's IP address.

[rAwritsgWeg]

ya it is true u could hack that way becuz since he/she is directly connected then ur computer is open to him/her but a virus might be able to slip through
aim warns u before though so w/e

[*ranniel*]

^ umm if you send a virus. -says duh to me-

[*mipadi*]

ya it is true u could hack that way becuz since he/she is directly connected then ur computer is open to him/her but a virus might be able to slip through
aim warns u before though so w/e

You can't send a virus merely by connecting—that would require a file transfer. Connecting directly in and of itself doesn't open up any security holes.

[*ranniel*]

^ oh yeah you have a point there. i regret saying stuff without thinking

[*[Filp]Essence*]

ya it is true u could hack that way becuz since he/she is directly connected then ur computer is open to him/her but a virus might be able to slip through
aim warns u before though so w/e

your avatar and signature bother me for some reason, maybe because i think that girl is butt ugly.

[Levy2k6]

their is no way of getting a virus unless the actual program is on your computer and opens up... unless they send you a file and you click on it.. that could be the virus and that's how u messed your ownself up..


IPv4 addresses are gonna be nothing like a year from now.. it's all about IPv6 now.. haha.... i still have no clue anything about them..

i do know how to subnet tho ;).. haha.

[uLoVeMikeRoch]

Essence' date='Mar 1 2006, 9:18 PM' post='1930143']
your avatar and signature bother me for some reason, maybe because i think that girl is butt ugly.

Unrelated,

Also, would your IP show even if You use Gaim or Miranda, or Trillian?

Probably, but can someone give me a yes or no?

[*mipadi*]

Unrelated,

Also, would your IP show even if You use Gaim or Miranda, or Trillian?

Probably, but can someone give me a yes or no?

Yes. Either way, a direct connection is still opened up, allowing a person to potentially find out your IP address. (It's a protocol issue, not a software issue.)

But the important thing is that knowing someone's IP isn't a big deal—TCP/IP isn't designed to mask IP's because it's not really necessary, nor is it a good method of security if it is your only method of security.