Possible virus in Messenger?

[Fillostein]

Hello,
My neice has a problem with her installation of Messenger.
When she loads Messenger it opens conversation windows to all of her
contacts (if they are online) then sends them a message saying 'Here
are some pictures of us' followed by a URL. If any of her contacts
click on the link then they go to a site that tricks them into
downloading something that causes their Messenger to behave in the same
way.

Should I:
a) Run some antivirus software?
b) Re-install Messenger?
c) Get an update from Microsoft?
d) Something else...



Thanks


David

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings David,

This isn't a possible virus, it -is- a virus (unfortunately there's dozens of what you're
describing, so I can't be more specific) and as such, the 'a' option would be -highly-
recommended.

--
Jonathan Kay
Microsoft MVP - Windows Messenger/MSN Messenger/Windows Live Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com
All posts unless otherwise specified are (c) 2006 Jonathan Kay.
You *must* contact me for redistribution rights.
--

"Fillostein" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Hello,
> My neice has a problem with her installation of Messenger.
> When she loads Messenger it opens conversation windows to all of her
> contacts (if they are online) then sends them a message saying 'Here
> are some pictures of us' followed by a URL. If any of her contacts
> click on the link then they go to a site that tricks them into
> downloading something that causes their Messenger to behave in the same
> way.
>
> Should I:
> a) Run some antivirus software?
> b) Re-install Messenger?
> c) Get an update from Microsoft?
> d) Something else...
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
>
> David
>