3 Skype Security Issues and Threats You Should Know About | Antivirus

Skype is the world's most popular voice over IP, text, voice, and video chat system. It's one of those rare things, an app that has found its place in the hearts and minds of computer and smartphone users regardless of the operating system and manufacturer. As any scam-conscious user (and also scammers) knows, where there is the widespread use of software, there is of course the possibility of robbing someone with malware.

Skype is the world's most popular voice over IP, text, voice, and video chat systems. It's one of those rare things, an app that has found its place in the hearts and minds of computer and smartphone users regardless of the operating system and manufacturer. As any scam-conscious user (and also scammers) knows, where there is the widespread use of software, there is of course the possibility of robbing someone with malware.

Yes, dear reader, it is my sad duty to inform you that there are several risks in the wild, threats to your identity and a bank balance that find your way to obtain your personal information via Skype.

Skype Security Issues You Should Know About

If you haven't used Skype before, don't let this article scare you. If you are aware of the threats, you can protect yourself.

You might be surprised to learn that many of these Skype security issues have been occurring since Microsoft acquired the service. This acquisition heralded the move away from peer-to-peer networks at Skype. Before the processing and data management for the service was performed by users' computers (even if they were not chatting), it is now performed by Microsoft central servers.

P2P can be especially dangerous to personal information if proper blocking software is not used, and given the lengths, Microsoft has taken to buying and integrating Skype into their operating systems, it's somewhat surprising that there can be at least four threats that can be described remarkably.

Dorkbot Meets Skype

Skype has not been overlooked by scammers and spammers in the past, but one of the most dangerous malware components affecting the chat platform was found in the fall of 2012 when the "Dorkbot" worm was migrated from Twitter and Facebook.

Seductive users click links in messages. Dorkbot asks questions like "lol is this your new profile pic?" And prompts Skype users accidentally install the worm on their computers.

Dorkbot is particularly angry. The infected computer is connected to a botnet, after which users are locked out of their computers and their data is (possibly) encrypted, where it will not be available until a payment of $ 200 - within 24 hours.

Trend Micro noticed that the ransomware worm was spreading rapidly across the Internet, while Microsoft advised Skype users not to click on unexpected links. Updating to the latest version of Skype will prevent infections from this version of Dorkbot.

A Fake App for Android & Symbian

Android users were in July 2012 in front of a fake Skype app named Trojan: Java / SMSFakeSky.A Microsoft warned.

A bad fake - the app only runs on older Android devices that allow Java MIDlets to run (it can also run on Symbian devices) - the malware is advertised on fake websites (with Russian .ru top-level) Domains hosting the malware (.ne domains) and installs itself on the device before sending expensive SMS messages to make money for the developers.

Because of this, Microsoft urged users to only rely on approved app stores to purchase real copies of Skype and scan downloaded software on a desktop computer with anti-malware programs before copying it to your mobile device.

Cross-Platform Skype Malware

Whether you are a Windows or Mac user, in July 2012 a new Trojan horse was discovered affecting OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and OS X 10.7 Lion computers. Known as OSX / Crisis, the malware uses Java (and probably other means) to gain access to a computer and spies on the user by monitoring Firefox, Microsoft Messenger, Safari ... and Skype.

The malware operator can record Skype audio traffic and intercept any files that are sent over the network. The code enables access to text entries and webcams as well as the detection of location, device information, and address book. With a keylogger also included, it is malware that you should remove as soon as it is detected.

Conclusion

If you think you have been infected by any of these examples of malware, act fast. Anti-malware tools for Windows and Mac OS X can be found quickly online, but if you're having trouble downloading (a common trick among malware coders is blocking downloads from certain websites), you may need to use a second computer.

All of these Skype security problems and threats can be removed from your computer. Be aware, however, that unusual behavior in Skype or other applications often indicates that something is not all right with your computer.

Therefore, regular antivirus scans are highly recommended.