Feature list leaked for Microsoft's next IM version

Dashken · 28th Nov 2007, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Microsoft's next version of its instant messenger application will have a new security feature to report users who send unsolicited messages, known as SPIM (spam over IM).

That's one of several new features in Windows Live Messenger 9.0, which was released to some private beta testers on Tuesday, according to Liveside.net, a site that focuses on Microsoft's Live brand of Web-based applications.

The problem with SPIM is that it's annoying and, at worst, dangerous. The tricky part is that the hacker may have obtained someone's IM account details, so it appears that a genuine contact is sending the messages.

After compiling a list of IM contacts, hackers try to trick users into clicking links. Those links can often launch an unwanted installation of spyware or other malware via a browser vulnerability or other security hole.

Further details on Microsoft's reporting tool were not available. However, other IM products on the market use reporting tools to compile blacklists of known IM spammers in order to block them.

Liveside published other new details of Messenger 9.0 on Wednesday but then deleted the post on Thursday. It wasn't entirely clear why the site decided to delete the post, but it could be retrieved via Google's cache.

Liveside said other new features include the ability to stay signed into the application from several computers, called Multiple Points of Presence Support. In the previous 8.5 version, users are automatically signed out of the application if they log in to the application on a new machine.

Other new features Liveside said will be in version 9.0 include:

-- Animated GIF files can be used in the display photo area.

-- Allows users to associate a specific sound with an action performed by one of their contacts.

-- URLs can be clicked on in the status area.

Source: Feature list leaked for Microsoft's next IM version | IDGNS | News | November 26, 2007 | By Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service

Adrian Wong · 28th Nov 2007, 02:50 PM

Oooh... The anti-SPIM feature is most welcomed!

Mac Daddy · 28th Nov 2007, 07:52 PM

Looks good now if they could just do something about the overhead it ties up a lot of system resources. I do like the live folders though really handy for my brother and I sending music tracks back and forth while recording

I find myself using Pidjin more and more these days to manage all ... for the bit of eye candy I loose like winks and certain smilies ... the performance is much better ...

NoFormz · 29th Nov 2007, 06:49 PM

OMG!!! This will be awesome!!! I like the sound of Multiple Points of Presence Support. It'll really be great.

28th Nov 2007, 02:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my ASUS F8V notebook! Posts: 30,146 Reputation: 3081 Rep Power: 67	Oooh... The anti-SPIM feature is most welcomed! __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? Keep Tech ARP free! Visit our sponsors! We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

29th Nov 2007, 06:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
NoFormz Warming up Join Date: 25 May 2005 Location: Malaysia Posts: 114 Reputation: 19 Rep Power: 4	OMG!!! This will be awesome!!! I like the sound of Multiple Points of Presence Support. It'll really be great. __________________

28th Nov 2007, 07:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mac Daddy Pickin' Da Gitfiddle Join Date: 19 Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 2,048 Reputation: 802 Rep Power: 12	Looks good now if they could just do something about the overhead it ties up a lot of system resources. I do like the live folders though really handy for my brother and I sending music tracks back and forth while recording I find myself using Pidjin more and more these days to manage all ... for the bit of eye candy I loose like winks and certain smilies ... the performance is much better ...