AIM (AOL) Messenger security
This instant messenger comes with a little 'extra', spyware which you cannot remove. This component is part of the Viewpoint media player which is used to display graphics in AIM. The users installation gets a unique id, usage data is collected and, together with the userid, sent to the Viewpoint servers. Removing viewpoint will result in AIM reinstalling it.
Aside from this spyware, AIM has some features to increase your security/privacy
- Start AIM
- Goto My aim->edit options->edit preferences->privacy
- Check 'Allow only users on my buddylist to send me messages'
- As another feature you can 'warn' your buddy's about specific users who are spamming. Enough warns will cause the spammer to get a timer so he/she cannot send messages rapidly
Note: At this time one vulnerabilitie, non-critical, has been reported. To view a history of AIM vulnerabilities, patched and unpatched, go here