skype users, read this, its an important thing for you

Category: Geeks r Us

Post 1 by Svenja (don't need any!) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 5:02:44

Hi there,

Yesterday I got the message, skype brings a virus on your system, it can destroy all your system, skype goes into your byos, and at least it spyons your computer, so be carefull, use a good antivirus or deinstall it, that would be better for you.

So if you give something on that warning, deinstall it!

Sharpay

Post 2 by SingerOfSongs (Heresy and apostasy is how progress is made.) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 7:00:45

uhm... Can you give more information on this? I keep an eye on a few different official things where this kind of thing would be reported, and haven't seen anything about this yet.

Post 3 by Squiggles (Account disabled) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 7:14:39

I doubt very much that skype would have anythin to do with your bios. First of all, I think it is impossible for any program to get to your bios from windows however I could be wrong about that one. Please specify where you hear about this and why you think it is true. I use my Mac anyway so I have nothing to worry about, but I will still use skype on my pc, when ever I am on my laptop at school or something.

Post 4 by rat (star trek rules!) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 7:27:29

something sounds fishy about this, the bios isn't even accessable through windows to what i know other wise people could make changes to it withoughout haveint to restart and going in to it.

Post 5 by Squiggles (Account disabled) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 7:42:10

Rat. Please. I think I've already accomplished saing that. Read my post again.

Post 6 by Svenja (don't need any!) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 10:33:29

friends of mine told me that, I can ask them, where they got it from and tell you more tomorro

Post 7 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 12:45:26

the only refrence i could find to the virus was from september of last year, and I think a good anti virus package along with common sense use of a pc should protect you.

Post 8 by BrailleNote Nut (the Zone BBS remains forever my home page) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 16:06:23

It's either something from ages ago, or a hoax. CNet would have reported it. Which they didn't. Also geek news central might've reported it but they did not.

Post 9 by TylerK (This site is so "educational") on Thursday, 29-May-2008 16:21:27

That sounds to me as if it's a hoax. Windows apps cannot access the BIOS.

Post 10 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 17:09:56

there was a virus spoken of by skype but it did nothing like fiddle with the bios, it sent emails or something, can't remember now.

Post 11 by Big Pawed Bear (letting his paws be his guide.) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 17:14:26

mensioned in conjunction with skype I meant. dam!

Post 12 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 17:20:35

I agree with all that has been said here, except for cody's post about rat reading his last post again. He was just putting in his input to the topic. I also am using a mac with skype, and I haven't seen anything about this virus.

Post 13 by b3n (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 17:21:30

Nothing to worry about here fokes, its a fake.
Although just to clear something up, windows apps can access the bios, but due to technical limitations the writer of a virus would have very little to gain for doing so.

Post 14 by Squiggles (Account disabled) on Friday, 30-May-2008 7:23:50

So at the end of the day, logic tells us that this is probably never going to happen. Skype has never sent emails that were automated, as far as I know of, and the so called skype virus way back in Dcember was not from skype at all, though FS and friends pointed fingers at it for whatever reason. Hoax Hoax Hoax. Everyone go home nothing to see here.

Post 15 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Friday, 30-May-2008 15:37:58

Ok, B3N just said that. What was the point of that cody?

Post 16 by chikorita (move over school!) on Friday, 30-May-2008 21:46:04

Well, skype does send automated emails. They sent me one when I joined, and sent me a confirmation when I submitted something to there support people.

Post 17 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Friday, 30-May-2008 22:17:11

I also got one when I joined as well.

Post 18 by Squiggles (Account disabled) on Thursday, 05-Jun-2008 8:27:29

I have never gotten any automated emails, but that's just me.

Post 19 by blindndangerous (the blind and dangerous one) on Thursday, 05-Jun-2008 13:22:16

oK, WHAT WAS THE POINT OF POSTING THAT cODY? sEE, THAT IS WHAT U DID TO RAT LAST TIME.

Post 20 by nikos (English words from a Greek thinking brain) on Thursday, 05-Jun-2008 18:54:40

You might want to have a look at http://www.skype.com/intl/en/security/skype-sb-2008-003.html
Apparently there was a security vulnerability in the previous version of skype where somebody could send virous to another skype user if i understand correctly. But this is fixed now in the latest skype update so i would suggest that you update your skype and also read the website i gave you.

Also if you want to visit the skype for windows development website you can go to https://developer.skype.com/WindowsSkype
There you can read about new skype releases, release notes and other usefull information.

Post 21 by forereel (Just posting.) on Thursday, 05-Jun-2008 21:05:27

My 2 cents. Skype it's self will not give you a bug. Here is what happens and I've noted several odd messages that come over Skype.
1. Any Skype user can send out messages. Most times you get strange stuff when you've been in Skype Me mode, because anyone can send you anything as a message.
2. Your privacy settings are a factor in what you receive as far as odd messages, so if you don't want to receive odd messages maybe set it so your only going to receive them from your contacts.
3. In Skype Me mode, or from your contacts having your Skype settings to except files automaticly will open you up to get hit by something, no matter how good your protection is, so scanning offten helps this, but doesn't stop it.
4. Last anything you receive will not be due to Skype in a way, but your settings, protection methods, and all that, so Skype remains safe.
Last don't believe all that comes to you via a message. :)