Do viruses run through windows live messenger?

Question

my friend is offline, but i recieved a link from him with my email in it. and i didn't click because my other freind said that same thing happened to them a few months ago, and it happened to be a virus.

can someone give me any information on this?

has this happened to anyone else before?

any information is appreciated.

most informative answer gets the 10 pts.

=]

THAANK UUUUU!

Answer 1

You can get the virus only by hitting that link. If you just ignore it you will not get a virus.  

Answer 2

only if the person sends you a link to a site that will give you one and you click it.

Answer 3

"Yes" you sure can get a computer virus through Instance Messenger (IM)  from sharing files , photos, documents, etc. So my advice to you is (Never click on a link if you don't know who it came from (and sometime you even have to be careful opening, downloading, even clicking on links) from your friends. If it feel, seemed, or look funny then don't open, And never download from anyone unless you know who it is.  I had a friend who  sent me a link to click on  (suppose to be photos) I click on the link and got a bad computer virus where I had to take my computer to the shop to get rid of it. You did the right thing by not clicking on the link, if the message were important then they will send the message the right way and without a link (smile)  Good Luck and always stay alert

Answer 4

I believe I had something similar happen to me before and it was an ad for something.  But if an ad can send me a link, I'm sure that you could receive a virus in the same way.  Make sure your friend is not just on invisible and sending you a link.  However, if it is your own e-mail that's pretty suspicious.  I wouldn't touch it.

You could send a virus over a messenger if you sent the person the file of the virus.  But if it's a link to a virus it could have the same effect.