Messenger Security

[Eve]

If you use your private email address as an Instant Messenger
username, you increase the risks of unsolicited or spam email,
as well as the possibility of being hacked. If you already take
precautions against phishing and spyware, this article suggests
habits for securing your IM.

I use MSN Passport/Windows Live ID as an example in this guide.
I have not tested it on other sites, but you may apply this for a
Google Account ID, Yahoo! ID, AOL My eAddress ID and others.



Registration

[color=#FFCC00 (Click to View)

Activate a timed address:[/COLOR]]
http://filzmail.com/
http://youmailr.com/
http://www.emailinfive.com/
http://www.anonymbox.com/
http://www.explodemail.com/
http://www.incognitomail.com/

Don't use actual details. Prepare pseudonymous details here.

[color=#FFCC00 (Click to View)

Secure against reverting:[/COLOR]]
Verify your timed address as an MSN Passport.

Chose the radio button for: Yes, use my e-mail address.
You need to provide an email address, a password,
a security question and an image verification.

Alternatively, verify your timed address as a Windows Live ID.
You need to provide more details than with an MSN Passport.

Your MSN will be secure because the inbox ceases to exist
within a timed period. The address will exist only as an MSN.
Your MSN is also secure because the username address is of
a third-party provider, which Microsoft has no right to revert.
The pseudonymous information provided is known only to you.*
*Inspired by Notorious Mental's tutorial here.

Security

Regularly backup your MSN Contacts as a .ctt file.

Encrypt communications with Simplite MSN.

Protect your IP address.
Use a VPN or proxy with web messenger services.

If you display your MSN, use this icon generator.

Protect your IP address by using Meebo or Imo.



Support

Reset passwords with either the desktop or mobile interface.

MSN is vulnerable to freezing and flooding application attacks.
Depending on the intensity of the attack, you may be unable to
login to MSN or function as normal. Register a temporary MSN
and import your contacts from your backup file. Concurrently,

[color=#FFFFFF (Click to View)

report the problem to Windows Live.[/color]]

Report a Security Vulnerability
Windows Live™ Solution Center
Windows Live™ Support
Windows Live Messenger Abuse ^
^ Thanks again to Notorious Mental

Dispose your MSN if it is compromised. Register a new MSN
and import previous MSN Contacts from your backup .ctt file.



By Eve, originally posted at HackForums.net.

[Verdande]

Thanks for sharing this

looks nice.

[Anubis™]

LOL....THanks for the shared tips =D

[rens23]

These are nice tips but could you explain how freezing apps work that freeze msn acc's?

[Eve]

Thanks for sharing this

looks nice.

Thank you, Verdande.

LOL....THanks for the shared tips =D

Glad you like it.

These are nice tips but could you explain how freezing apps work that freeze msn acc's?

Freezing applications spam a login page with a username address and an incorrect password. After a certain number of incorrect password tries, the account is automatically locked down. This means that the legitimate owner is "frozen out" and unable to login.