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I also receive scam files from legit contacts' Skype accounts from time to time - maybe after they've suffered a similar attack. Never opening the desktop Skype

I also receive scam files from legit contacts' Skype accounts from time to time - maybe after they've suffered a similar attack. Never opening the desktop Skype seems to be a safe-and-easy counteract for now - you can still open all legit files on iPhone, and apps like Google Drive have built-in virus scanners.

jackweirdy 10y ago
My own Skype account was hijacked a few months ago, sending spam links to all my contacts. I still don't know how. I use a 1Password generated password specifically for Skype, and Skype doesn't let you see session history so I have no way of knowing when or where the login occurred or on what device, or even if my password _was_ compromised and not some other 3rd party integration breach or something. Contacting Skype support got terrible service, as I've come to expect.
- _nalply 10y ago
  That's very scary. Your system might be compromised. If I were you I would immediately stop using that system, and reset all important passwords from a different and preferably new system. Then perhaps restart the possibly compromised system and log network activity and look for suspicious activty, but that's dangerous.
  - zifnab06 10y ago
    It's normal. I've had multiple friends (all incredibly technically competent people) have their Skype accounts broken in to. I've heard the same story multiple times: no third p as try applications have access, randomized password stored in KeePass/LastPass/1password. We've all done to the conclusion that Skype's infrastructure had some sort of security hole/backdoor.
    - jpalomaki 10y ago
      If you have connected Skype and Microsoft Account you can also login with the Microsoft account.
      - _nalply 10y ago
        And is this a good idea?
        jpalomaki 10y ago
        Just pointing out that even if your Skype password is random, secure and not shared with any other service, somebody could gain access via this mechanism.
    - Keverw 10y ago
      It seems like everyday someone on Skype I know gets hacked. This has been going on for the past 2 years. I have am old account I don't use anymore, and haven't logged into years but friended my new account back when I made a new one. My old account I haven't logged into for years just messaged me out of the blue with a random link. Contacted Skype and support is pretty useless. I got a feeling that their own database has been hacked at this point. Just seems so strange for so many people being hacked. Happens enough, even the Verge wrote a article about it. http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/8/13561024/microsoft-skype-baidu-linkedin-hack http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/8/13561024/microsoft-skype-b...
  - jackweirdy 10y ago
    What was strange was that I was on a train at the time out of WiFi range, and I don't store my Skype password on my phone. So it's not like there was a device with malware sending messages through Skype from my laptop as it couldn't reach the internet. It's possible I had e.g. a keylogger but that wouldn't explain why only Skype was compromised.
- drinchev 10y ago
  I had a similar problem. Someone hijacked my Skype account ( I think 3 years ago ). Fortunately the support service was pretty awesome and they restored the ownership. You just need to identify yourself as close as possible to your account.

jackweirdy 10y ago

My own Skype account was hijacked a few months ago, sending spam links to all my contacts. I still don't know how. I use a 1Password generated password specifically for Skype, and Skype doesn't let you see session history so I have no way of knowing when or where the login occurred or on what device, or even if my password _was_ compromised and not some other 3rd party integration breach or something. Contacting Skype support got terrible service, as I've come to expect.

_nalply 10y ago
That's very scary. Your system might be compromised. If I were you I would immediately stop using that system, and reset all important passwords from a different and preferably new system. Then perhaps restart the possibly compromised system and log network activity and look for suspicious activty, but that's dangerous.
- zifnab06 10y ago
  It's normal. I've had multiple friends (all incredibly technically competent people) have their Skype accounts broken in to. I've heard the same story multiple times: no third p as try applications have access, randomized password stored in KeePass/LastPass/1password. We've all done to the conclusion that Skype's infrastructure had some sort of security hole/backdoor.
  - jpalomaki 10y ago
    If you have connected Skype and Microsoft Account you can also login with the Microsoft account.
    - _nalply 10y ago
      And is this a good idea?
      - jpalomaki 10y ago
        Just pointing out that even if your Skype password is random, secure and not shared with any other service, somebody could gain access via this mechanism.
  - Keverw 10y ago
    It seems like everyday someone on Skype I know gets hacked. This has been going on for the past 2 years. I have am old account I don't use anymore, and haven't logged into years but friended my new account back when I made a new one. My old account I haven't logged into for years just messaged me out of the blue with a random link. Contacted Skype and support is pretty useless. I got a feeling that their own database has been hacked at this point. Just seems so strange for so many people being hacked. Happens enough, even the Verge wrote a article about it. http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/8/13561024/microsoft-skype-baidu-linkedin-hack http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/8/13561024/microsoft-skype-b...
- jackweirdy 10y ago
  What was strange was that I was on a train at the time out of WiFi range, and I don't store my Skype password on my phone. So it's not like there was a device with malware sending messages through Skype from my laptop as it couldn't reach the internet. It's possible I had e.g. a keylogger but that wouldn't explain why only Skype was compromised.
drinchev 10y ago
I had a similar problem. Someone hijacked my Skype account ( I think 3 years ago ). Fortunately the support service was pretty awesome and they restored the ownership. You just need to identify yourself as close as possible to your account.