Another annoying virus hits MSN Messenger. Its more annoying than be a threat to your computer data. To remove this virus called MSN Virus IM-Names:
1. Close Messenger.
2. Goto ‘Start’ then ‘Run’ and type ‘msconfig’. A new window should appear.
3. Click on the tab at the top right that says ‘Startup’.
4. Untick the box next to ‘IM-Names’. (If you cannot find it skip this task)
5. Click ‘ok’ and when it asks if you want to restart your computer say no.
6. Press ‘Ctr’ + ‘Alt’ + ‘Del’. Find the processthat says ‘IM-Names’ and click End Task.
To remove it fully follow these instructions:
1. Search your computer for all files called “IM-Names”.
2. Delete all files that it finds.
3. Empty your Recylce Bin.
The virus has now been deactivated. Happy? 
Tell us in the comments if this does not work. Also you might want to do a online scan or get an anti-virus to protect yourself in the future.
I am sure you use MSN, Yahoo! or Gtalk or AIM or any of the other zillion chat services on the internet. Yahoo! and MSN are the most popular chat applications on the internet today. Its popularity brings with it a lot of problems for your PC and personal data since it is targeted by trojan writers, virus programmers and the kind. MSN viruses can delete important data, take control of your PC resources, corrupt data and spy on your activities. Virus infections big and small are right now spreading through millions of computers and infecting them as you read this.
A few ways by which you can stop infections on your computer include:
- Use a firewall, or activate the default Windows XP Firewall.
- Scan your computer with a anti-virus
- Use a real time protection anti-virus.
- Don’t open suspicious looking emails or links
- Use Messenger Services with a lot of precaution and care.
- Copy only trusted files and install only genuine softwares.
Chatting on MSN and Yahoo! can be one of the major ways in which your computer gets affected with viruses and trojan softwares. Some of the popular Trojan virus in MSN messengers include
- IM-Names
- cute.pif
- PIC1234(1)(1)(1)(1)(1)(1).exe
- Choke.exe
- W32.Aplore@mm
- 320-jpg.zip
- jdcavpfcwkdo.exe
So next time your friend sends you a cool picture, it might just be a virus waiting to infect your PC.