IM Interoperability is HERE

That's right, the wait is finally over for Yahoo!7 & Windows Live Messenger (WLM) have finally joined forces to combine Instant Messenging from one client to other and vice-versa.

You can add friends, see when they are online and send instant messages from either Yahoo!7 or WLM to either network. No longer do you need to use both client's to stay in contact. So if you're an avid user of WLM, it's now time to chat with friends on Yahoo. Perhaps you prefer the great features of Yahoo!7 while chatting to WLM friends.

This is major news for the IM market and the first of it's kind to combine two networks together to work as one. As Yahoo previously stated, they are work hand-in-hand with WLM to make this happen. At the moment WLM & Yahoo!7 is limited to text IM's with the promise that soon voice will be available, along all the regular feature of each client.

Try out the interoperability for yourself and let us know your comments and thoughts! Which chat client will you use to talk with both Yahoo and WLM friends?

Yahoo + MSN Interoperability

Well these two IM giants continue to tease us with the promise of interoperability. Yahoo are again adverstising the fact on their website stating this feature is coming soon.

And on another computer when I logged into Y! Messenger this evening I was greeted with this comforting update notice. Fingers crossed that coming soon isn't too far away!

IM worm poses as Windows Genuine Advantage

A new worm/backdoor is spreading via Instant Messaging masquerading as a Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program.

W32/Cuebot-K is a instant messaging worm and backdoor for the Windows platform and spreads via AOL Instant Messenger.

When first run W32/Cuebot-K copies itself to \wgavn.exe and creates the file \Debug\dcpromo.log.

The file wgavn.exe is registered as a new system driver service named "wgavn", with a display name of "Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Notification" and a startup type of automatic, so that it is started automatically during system startup.

Once installed, it runs each time the computer is started. Cuebot-K disables the Windows firewall and opens a backdoor that gives hackers the ability to take control of the computer.

You should be very wary about clicking links on instant messenger progams, especially from people you don't know.