Applies to Kaspersky PURE R2
What is IM Anti-Virus?
Besides the additional features for comfortable Internet surfing, instant messaging clients (further referred to as IM clients), which have widely spread nowadays, have caused potential threats to computer security. Messages that contain URLs to suspicious websites and those used by intruders for phishing attacks may be transferred using IM clients. Malicious programs use IM clients to send spam messages and URLs to the programs (or the programs themselves), which steal users' ID numbers and passwords.
The IM Anti-Virus component is designed to ensure safe operation of IM clients. It protects the information that comes to your computer via IM protocols. The product ensures safe operation of various applications for instant messaging, including ICQ, MSN, AIM, Yahoo! Messenger, Jabber, Google Talk, and others.
The Yahoo! Messenger and Google Talk applications use the SSL protocol. In order for IM Anti-Virus to scan the traffic of these applications, it is necessary to use the encrypted connections scan. To do it, check the Scan encrypted connections box in the Network section.
How does IM Anti-Virus work?
The IM Anti-Virus component loads at the startup of operating system and runs in your computer's RAM, scanning all incoming and outgoing messages. By default, protection of IM clients' traffic is carried out using the algorithm described below:
- Each message received or sent by the user is intercepted by the component.
- IM Anti-Virus scans the message for dangerous objects or URLs listed in databases of suspicious and/or phishing web addresses.
- If a threat is detected, message text will be substituted with a warning message for the user. If no security threats are detected in the message, it becomes operable for the user.
