Instant Messaging Protection

How to find this setting:

Protection Settings > Internet & Email Controls > Instant Messaging

Available only in select versions of Trend Micro security software.

Your security software can protect you from links to unsafe websites sent via popular instant messaging programs.

Marked Checkbox Mark the Check for security risks in links to websites received via instant messaging programs checkbox and then enable the protection for the instant messaging programs that you use.

  • Windows Live™ Messenger  - Versions 2009, 2010 and 2011
  • Yahoo!® Instant Messenger - Versions 8.0, 8.1, 9.0 and 10.0 
  • America Online® Instant Messager (AIM®) - Versions 6.8 and 6.9 
  • Skype™ Chat  - Versions 3.6, 3.8, 4.0, 4.2, 5.0, 5.1 and 5.2
     

You can activate protection for Yahoo! Instant Messenger or Skype just like any other plug-in offered by those services. Follow the directions below to set up protection for America Online Instant Messenger or Windows Live Messenger.

How to Protect Windows Live Messenger

  1. Click the Install button to set up the plug-in for Windows Live Messenger.
  2. Use Windows Live Messenger to start a conversation with someone.
  3. At the top of the conversation window, click Actions, and then select Start Trend Micro IM Rating from the list that appears. A rating panel will open next to your conversation.
     

How to Protect America Online Instant Messenger

After you click the Install button, American Online activates Trend Micro IM Rating by default. To confirm that the plug-in protects you, follow the steps below.

  1. Opening the AIM window showing all your contacts.
  2. Click the Manage button (at the bottom of the AIM window).
  3. Make sure that a mark appears in the checkbox beside Trend Micro IM Rating.
     

Ratings Table

Once enabled, the IM Rating plug-in will warn you about links to risky websites by displaying one of the following messages in your chat window:

Warning Description
Warning Icons AOL: AIM Emoticon Skype: Skype Emoticon Windows Live: MSN Emoticon Yahoo: Yahoo Emoticon
[Dangerous Link] The linked page may contain hidden malicious software, or shows signs of involvement in "phishing," a kind of fraud in which fake websites mimic legitimate ones to steal information. You will be prevented from opening these links.
[Suspicious Link] Avoid the site if possible, or exercise caution if you do open the linked page.
[Disconnected] Check your Internet connection and proxy server settings.
[Untested Link] The linked page may use an unsupported protocol (something other than HTTP or HTTPS).

When enabled, the IM Rating plug-in also maintains a running list of links checked in the chat window. A color-coded icon will appear beside each one.

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