Is there a version of Yahoo messenger that will NOT install spyware?

[SonyaM32]

Hi,
For the first time in ages I am not having a problem with spyware. I can run all kinds of spyware scans and they mostly come up clean.
Since my computer crashed the last time, I am being carefull as to what I install because I do not want any problems, but I do want Yahoo Messenger ;D
Is there a version, maby an older version, that does not come with spyware?
And what about up-dating Windows Messenger, the version I have now causes slow Windows startup? Does Windows messenger come with any spyware?
Thanks :)

[WSFuser]

u can version 6 of y! messenger. download here (http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=yahoo)

[SonyaM32]

Thank you WSFuser :)
I am assuming that version doesn't have spyware? :)
Thanks

[ASpace]

{QUOTE->
And what about up-dating Windows Messenger, the version I have now causes slow Windows startup? Does Windows messenger come with any spyware?
Thanks :) <-QUOTE}

No , Windows Messenger is Microsoft product . How can you imagine Microsoft will distibute malware ? ? ? :blink: :thumb:

[Infinity]

I'm just wondering lol ... explicitely distributing malware ... probably not ... but sure is the main reason for all these wholes ... ... imho

[WSFuser]

{QUOTE-> Thank you WSFuser
I am assuming that version doesn't have spyware?
Thanks <-QUOTE}
i mostly chose version 6 because the later version come with all the voice chat n stuff :gack: :thumbd:

if u just want to IM on the yahoo network, u can try alternatives like gaim and miranda. both free.

[Vikorr]

Do a custom install with YIM, instead of a standard install - then you can unselect stuff they install as standard.

[cheater87]

even in the custom install you get that csmns thing

[SonyaM32]

{QUOTE-> i mostly chose version 6 because the later version come with all the voice chat n stuff :gack: :thumbd:

if u just want to IM on the yahoo network, u can try alternatives like gaim and miranda. both free. <-QUOTE}
Welp, I still haven't installed Yahoo messenger yet ;D
Also, ALL of my spyware scans are still coming up clean.
I am wondering about the other alternatives you mentioned? You said "Yahoo network", does that mean I can install and use one of those, and still be able to talk to Yahoo users who are on my buddy list? I have never heard of those is the reason I ask.
Thanks!

[herbalist]

Version 5.6 of Yahoo is clean and a lot lighter than the new versions. The basic IM and the webcam feature seem to be compatible but it won't send or receive files from the new version. Haven't tried the audio to see if it works with the new version. It still works with their calender and Yahoo insider if you use that stuff. One other little "fringe benefit" I've noticed with this version. They're not sending ads to it anymore. Used to need to block out the ads with firewall rules but it's not necessary anymore. I'm still using this version and it works fine.
I don't know if this version can still be downloaded anywhere but I have a copy if you want it. The installer is slightly over 2.8mb.
Rick

[aigle]

Does Yahoo has spyware really? I doubt. I have used it and never found a spyware while using multiple scanners.

[midway40]

Until now I didn't know YM installed spyware. I have been using 8 Beta (installed pre-TM) and noticed a while ago that the final had came out. I download and ran the 400k installer file and TM started popping up windows saying that it was installing "DollarSense" or such and I quarantined them. [EDIT--just ran it again and found it was Dollar Revenue adware it was trying to install]

I guess I will have to revert back to an older version or use Gaim which I liked when I used Linux.

[WSFuser]

{QUOTE-> Welp, I still haven't installed Yahoo messenger yet ;D
Also, ALL of my spyware scans are still coming up clean.
I am wondering about the other alternatives you mentioned? You said "Yahoo network", does that mean I can install and use one of those, and still be able to talk to Yahoo users who are on my buddy list? I have never heard of those is the reason I ask.
Thanks! <-QUOTE}
yes that is how it works. if u have AIM or MSN messenger accounts, u can connect to those too.

[aigle]

{QUOTE-> Until now I didn't know YM installed spyware. I have been using 8 Beta (installed pre-TM) and noticed a while ago that the final had came out. I download and ran the 400k installer file and TM started popping up windows saying that it was installing "DollarSense" or such and I quarantined them. [EDIT--just ran it again and found it was Dollar Revenue adware it was trying to install]

I guess I will have to revert back to an older version or use Gaim which I liked when I used Linux. <-QUOTE}
Did u check with any other scanner?

[midway40]

AdAware nor Spybot haven't taken notice of it. I had that experience I related and then ran across this thread. Looking back thru this thread I don't see where anyone has posted what kind of spyware it is supposed to install and what was used to identify it. So I don't know if I am getting a FP or not. TM's real-time spyware detection is still kind of new so it could be a possibility that it is a FP.

When TM discovers spyware during a scan it moves it into quarantine but does not identify it (in realtime it does). Instead it gives the location of the infected registry keys (though it only shows part of the key). I have been cleaning couple of infected keys that keeps showing up in scans ending with "...\ZoneMaps\Domains\neededware.com" which also showed up when when I installed YM8 a while ago. I just tried to go to the website indicated but TM blocked it saying it was a dangerous site (spyware).

I will have to pursue this later, it is early morning here, goodnight all!

[aigle]

Thanks. But I really don,t trust TM AS.

[ASpace]

{QUOTE-> Does Yahoo has spyware really? I doubt. <-QUOTE}

I don't know for sure but last year my previous antivirus (Panda Titanium 2005) reported suspicious activity on my computer with TruPrevent exactly when I opened Yahoo Messenger's web-page . The browser crashed and I needed to restart . Might have been a FP but I have never touched Yahoo product since there, at least Panda though something suspicious :wacko:


Also their toolbar is so intrusive , IMO
:thumb: ;D

[Chubb]

Yahoo! Messenger for Windows 8.0.0.682
http://messenger.yahoo.com/

[ThunderZ]

{QUOTE-> yes that is how it works. if u have AIM or MSN messenger accounts, u can connect to those too. <-QUOTE}


Trillian works well too. The only draw back (more like a slight annoyance) is that all the emoticons do not translate well from one to the other. Many will show up as only the typed charecters instead of the image due to different codeing. I found this true at least with Yahoo to Trillian chat.

[midway40]

aigle, I got to thinking today that since TM didn't like the 400K installer file, I was wondering if the full version would do the same. I downloaded it from Softpedia and installed it this evening. Once again alarm bells were going off (though with different causes--it was only reporting "suspesious (sic) behavior settings") and I cancelled the install. I then turned off TM and installed YM. Afterwards I ran a complete spyware scan and the only thing that came up was a cookie.

But I am still ??? about the 400k installer file and the addition of registry files that makes references to a known spyware site (neededware). But since googling revealed no other references to this I will have to assume it is a FP. I will report this to the beta team and include the regkeys as well.

[Vikorr]

Don't SoftPedia guarantee their downloads are 100% spyware free...

[aigle]

{QUOTE-> Once again alarm bells were going off (though with different causes--it was only reporting "suspesious (sic) behavior settings") and I cancelled the install. I then turned off TM and installed YM. Afterwards I ran a complete spyware scan and the only thing that came up was a cookie. <-QUOTE}

In that case I will guess it to be a false positive that is probably detected by
TM,s heuristics. It is not surprising to get false alarm during install of a legitimate application by any behaviour analyzer.

Just my thinking and i am no expert. U should write to TM,s support. They must be in the best position to comment.

[Saw11_2000]

I can confirm that TMIS 2007 did the same for me installing YIM, it said DollarSense was installing.

The behavior analysis and such worked as expected, warning that Yahoo was trying to make auto-start keys, and I'm happy with the performance of it.

Send it in for analysis. :)

[gerardwil]

{QUOTE-> Hi,
And what about up-dating Windows Messenger, the version I have now causes slow Windows startup? Does Windows messenger come with any spyware?
Thanks :) <-QUOTE}

Do you really need Windows Messenger?

Gerard

[midway40]

I sent TM beta team a bug report last night. Hopefully I will hear from them soon.

[EDIT--just heard from them--they told me to expect a program update in a few days. I hope it also addresses the high RAM usage since I know it will run with a lot less]

[SonyaM32]

{QUOTE-> Do you really need Windows Messenger?

Gerard <-QUOTE}
Well, I hardly ever use it. I think I have 2 buddys on that list lol and they refuse to use anything BUT Windows messenger to chat. :)

[gerardwil]

{QUOTE-> Well, I hardly ever use it. I think I have 2 buddys on that list lol and they refuse to use anything BUT Windows messenger to chat. :) <-QUOTE}

Don't you mean MSN messenger, because that's something else than Windows Messenger.

Gerard

[SonyaM32]

{QUOTE-> Don't you mean MSN messenger, because that's something else than Windows Messenger.

Gerard <-QUOTE}
Actually I thought they were the same thing ??? But I've never really used either one alot, so maby I just don't know.
I thought at one time I signed into both MSN and Windows messenger with the same username, so I just thought they were the same thing.
Ok, maby I'm way behind on this ;D
Now I am wondering what the difference is, I thought they were both from Microsoft, maby you can explain it to me?. You can probably tell I'm not a big fan of either one ;D
Thanks!

[WSFuser]

basically they both use teh same network but windows messenger was designed for business and msn messenger is for home users.

also windows messenger lets u "communicate with contacts via your organization’s Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 server"

[phasechange]

and MSN/Windows Live Messenger needs patching *cough* to remove annoying adverts and clutter although this may be illegal where you live. If visiting http://www.mess.be/ be sure to be running a decent pop up blockers.

The naming thing got really messed up given that there's :

Windows Messenger - comes with Windows, slim, no extra "features", biz version
MSN Messenger - old home user version
Windows Live Messenger- New MSN Messenger with extra bloat

Just wait 'til Vista, a great opportunity to bring out Windows Live Premium Home Superhighway Media Centre Edition :P

Fairy

[SonyaM32]

Last night I downloaded Windows Live Messenger, I seem to like it so far.
What is the 'annoying adverts and clutter' ???
Thanks! ;D{QUOTE-> and MSN/Windows Live Messenger needs patching *cough* to remove annoying adverts and clutter although this may be illegal where you live. If visiting http://www.mess.be/ be sure to be running a decent pop up blockers.

The naming thing got really messed up given that there's :

Windows Messenger - comes with Windows, slim, no extra "features", biz version
MSN Messenger - old home user version
Windows Live Messenger- New MSN Messenger with extra bloat

Just wait 'til Vista, a great opportunity to bring out Windows Live Premium Home Superhighway Media Centre Edition :P

Fairy <-QUOTE}

[WSFuser]

i just found this pic on google and i havent tried messenger live, but this pic does show an ad:

http://blog.phnews.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/windows-live-messenger.gif

if u want more than just to remove the ad, u can also try messenger plus live. it adds lets u customize messenger a lot more.

ironically tho, messenger plus does include a optional sponsor program (adware). just remember not to install it during setup.

[Cerxes]

SonyaM32, regarding your question and IM needs, I can recommend you Trillian, Miranda or Gaim. They are spyware-free and works well with several protocols such as msn, yahoo, icq, jabber e t c. Personally I use Gaim 2.0 beta 3, which I´m very pleased with.

Regards, C.

[MakoFusion]

Gaim has not been expressed enough. I highly recommend it as I use it on both Windows and Linux. Also one to note for Linux is called zinc which uses regex to filter out spam in chatrooms.

[Happy-Dude]

How about Trillian Messenger Client ? I use that as my primary IM multi-client. Nice interface and easy chatting with tabbing. Course, there are still tweaks needed to be fixed and resolved (as said on Trillian fourms), but still works great. Its freeware and the team still works crazy hard for the product.

For reference, it manages AIM/MSN(WM)/ICQ/Y!M/IRC clients. Problem is it does use a little bit of a boost on RAM, but for a client this good, it no biggy.

[Tommy]

If you don't need Webcam and Voice suport i suggest Miranda or Gaim.