Hi,
This blocking isn't only about directly and/or automatically downloading
stuff. Most of the time people will get tricked if they recieve a message
like "download my new photoalbum" when they recieve it from one of their
friends, which is one of the most used methods for viri to spread via IM.
A captcha is not going to stop people from downloading and executing
something which is malicious. And many of these free hosting sites are the
source of many viri.
So, blocking such stuff server-side is a way to stop such stuff from
spreading. Not a perfect way though (you block one site, and in no-time
another will be created containing the malicious program) and I agree that
the block list needs some finetuning... to say the least...
--
Kurt Robaer
Microsoft MVP - Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger
"Cyberhash" wrote:
| Quote: |  | |
|
> This actually saves more trouble than the little annoyance it causes in most
> cases.
>
> They are doing you a big favour by blocking links to sites that are known
> for hosting dubious code, but i must say that blocking places like mediafire
> and rapidshare are not really a good decision.
>
> All these free file hosting sites now use a capcha system, that in itself
> will stop drive by downloads.
>
> Even trying to use rapidshare normally is a nightmare with their "guess the
> cat" capcha, and i dont think any link that you ever receive is going to be
> able to get past this when the human eye has trouble in doing it.
>
> Maybe mediafire/rapidshare and the like also sell webspace and this is
> possibly the reason why they on the bad list ?.
>
> The easy solution is to just email your contact the links  , no big hassle
> and makes being online a bit safer for most people online.
>
>
> | |
| | |