MSN Messenger users who may think they're getting a sneak peak at the latest version of Microsoft Corp.'s instant messaging client are in for a nasty surprise, a Finnish security firm warned Tuesday.

A worm running through Microsoft's instant message (IM) network is dropping spyware bots onto compromised Windows PCs using new multi-language smarts, security vendors said Thursday.

Aiming to step up its battle against malicious Web sites, Microsoft said Wednesday that its MSN unit will offer a browser add-in that will help identify both known scam sites as well as those that appear suspicious.

One week after hackers exploited a weakness in the MSN Korea Web site, Microsoft admitted to taking down part of its MSN site over the weekend after learning about a flaw that would allow hackers to access Hotmail accounts.

The Reuters news agency found out the hard way that Kelvir is no IM buddy, after the prolific worm forced it to suspend services for a time Thursday. Antivirus firms said it's another example of IM-based attacks on the rise.

Tucked inside the just-released MSN Messenger are features to stymie the spread of some of the IM worms that have been knocking Microsoft's instant messaging clients, a security firm said Friday.

A worm that first disguised itself as an e-mail from computer vendors now attempts to trick MSN Messenger users into executing malicious files.

According to IMlogic's report, 81 percent of reported incidents include IM virus or worm propagation, with approximately 10 percent hijacking file transfer capability. Of the reported incidents over IM networks, 70 percent targeted the MSN Messenger client, the Windows Messenger client and the MSN Network.

Antivirus companies are warning users of Microsoft's popular MSN Messenger application about a host of new worms that spread using instant messages (IMs) over that network.

New worms that use Microsoft's instant-messaging software to spread are tunneling their way across the Web.Antivirus companies on Tuesday flagged a variation of an existing threat and a new worm, both targeting MSN Messenger.

Anti-virus vendors report an increased chatter of virus activity on Microsoft Corp.'s Microsoft Network messenger Sunday night through Monday.In what appears to be a concentrated attack on users of the MSN instant messaging client, security experts warn that several new worms with unique replication techniques have been launched alongside mutants of the known Bropia virus family.

Tokyo-based antivirus firm Trend Micro has issued a "medium-risk" alert for these worms, known specifically as Fatso-A and Kelvir-B. Both have been using the popular instant messaging tool to spread, mostly in Asia and the United States as of Monday afternoon.

New worms spreading through MSN Messenger and its bundled with Windows Messenger version via links to a malicious site are infecting users and leaving their PCs open to hacker hijack, security vendors.

The recent flaw plugged by Microsoft in its MSN Messenger software highlights a serious security threat to enterprise security, analysts said.Microsoft forced its millions of MSN Messenger users to download a new version of the software to plug a security vulnerability.

The recent flaw plugged by Microsoft in its MSN Messenger software highlights a serious security threat to enterprise security, according to analysts.