This just came in from the University's (MN) networking folks. No version numbers were given though.

Skype is vulnerable to a remote user attack. And to make matters worse, this is potentially a single UDP packet attack. If you or your users use Skype, then please upgrade it ASAP.

Also, if you or your users are using Skype, then PLEASE turn it off when not in use. When left online for long periods of time (read: more than 24 hours or so), Skype tends to get elected as a "supernode". This results in large amounts of extra network traffic as other people's calls and queries are routed through the "supernode" computers.


-mike

Mike, can you possibly pass on any more details?

I just launched Skype 1.4 and performed a web check version update and it came back telling me that I already have the latest version 1.4.0.78 installed. I hope this is safe. Thanks. - Scott

I hear ya, Scott. It would have been nice if our security department would have been a little more specific but that's all that was said at this time.

You did the right thing though. Plus, we should visit the Skype website and check with their support folks.

-mike

Scott, check Kim Komando's site. Her newsletter had some details on it.
DonM

Cool site, Don.

A new version for Skype was released today. Here's a cut & paste from their website:

Official release. Version: 1.4.0.84. Release date: October 25, 2005
File name: SkypeSetup.exe File size: 7.2 MB

-mike

Mike, thanks for confirming the version number. Interestingly enough, when I do an 'update check' via Skype 1.4.0.78 it accesses the Sype website and returns with the message that I have the LATEST version. I ignored that and simply downloaded and installed the version available from Skype, and now it my version says 1.4.0.84. I suppose you can't rely on Skype's online UPDATE CHECK feature. Mike: AGain, many thanks for the heads up. - Scott

If anyone is worried then when you leave your computer unattended, just switch your firewall to block incoming and outgoing traffic.
By the way Scott how are the browser problems coming along.

Bill

Hi Bill, thanks for asking. With thanks to Mike Sutliff's help, I was able to tweak my hompage html code so my signature tune (As Long As I'm Singing) automatically plays now, on BOTH IE6 and Mozilla Firefox 1.07. For whatever reason, IE web page loading still has a minor glitch whereas there is a 1-3 second delay (page hangup) either at the end, or right after, the page loads, before webpages are finally able to freely scroll. I'm not experiencing this at all with Firefox 1.0.7. Interestingly enough, as I've been using Firefox, I'm actually prefering web browsing with it, over IE6.

Scott