Can I get a virus just by using Windows Live Messenger?

You can get a virus at anytime that your PC is online. Wether you are browsing, using MSN or just using Word. You pc can be seen and often is probed my malicous attacks that firewalls and AV software will block. So the only way of stoping unwanted virus's etc is to have a good AV package and a firewall allways on. Remember your protection is only as good as the latest file definitions.

hotmail is notorious for pc viruses, i had a big one last year attack win 32 system,hotmail is very open anybody can access most accounts especially from abroad so very easy for hackers,personally yahoo messanger is safer out of the 2 and dont download or transfer files or the little emoticons etc they look sweet but could cost you your computor.

You should be safe from viruses by just using Messenger and not accepting file transfers, but never use it or go online without first making sure that your antivirus, firewall and antispy programs are switched on and up to date. As for file transfers, Live Messenger usually detects any suspicious files, your antivirus should also do this. Make sure that you only accept any file transfers from people you trust and you can always double check that any received files are safe by saving these to your hard drive and scanning the individual file with your antivirus scanner.

Viruses are passed onto your computer mainly when you are on line, so the fact that you are live on Messenger, even if you aren't into a specific web page or opening an email means you are open to all those little nasties out there. That's why its so important to have antivirus uptodate as well as antispyware and all the other anti's you can get. You can never be too well protected.

Hi, Its save to use msn if you stick with chatting only. Most of the problems are from the fact that people are accepting file transfers and picture downloads from someone they don't know. Its an realy easy way to get some virus onto your pc that way. -R.

yes you can if your anti virus is not up to date or not a decent one, if someone sends you a pic it could have a virus on it from there pc just make sure your anti virus is ok and your pc will be ok!

yes you can but its normally through a file transfer so as long as you dont accept anything then you should be grand.

I've used windows live messenger for quite a while now, and i haven't had any virus's and i've accepted files from friends. So, for me it's been safe, and all of my friends. So i'm going to say yes. I use Windows Live Hotmail too, and never had any trouble with any of it. It's got my vote.

yes, there is lots of viruses that accociate themselve with MSN Messenger.