Microsoft Censoring .info domains in MSN Messenger

no, microsoft -cannot- be doing this, because they can't be reading the actual content of your messages, because you're using gaim-encryption, RIGHT??? (if you're not - shame on you, apt-get install gaim-encryption and you're pretty much done. it's not the best implementation, but it works, which is the important part)

mind i use simpserver because my noob friends use windows+windows messenger and they wont switch to gaim just to talk with me but msn is shit. It gets loaded with users, you can be sure they log all im message and even if you encrypt with something they still logged that, so with resources they can decrypt it... Don't trust in msn, don't give off sensitive stuff on msn. If u don't want censored bullshit switch to skype, gtalk but its gonna be hard to ask all your friend to do the same.

Next they'll be in cahoots with MySpace, tryin' to steal our 'i's! Don't let Microsoft get away with this!

moral of the story is not use a communication method that is seriously insecure, and non encrypted(as far as I know on MSN live, could be proved wrong).

If it is the case that MS are censoring private messages that they have no right to be monitoring so closely.

Good place for nice secure emails:

http://www.hushmail.com
Uses a java web applet to key encryption on all emails if requested.

not quite IM. but a free and safe way to communicate online.
Paid for plans are quite decent rate also.

In reply to what someone said above about microsoft reading your content. Lets think programming, I guarantee this is done client side not server side, ergo Microsoft doesn't have to read anybody's messages.

And what about sending TinyURLs? (http://tinyurl.com)
This way you hide the document and tld part.

I have a solution...Simply don't use MSN! I do not like MSN at all. Just use AOL and Yahoo instead of feeding the Microsoft machine. Screw them.

Even worse, they're not just blocking .info domains-- they're blocking *anything* that just happens to have ".info" as a substring.

Thus, http://www.informationweek.com is taboo as well. As is the favorite of .NET GUI programmers, MessageBoxIcon.Information.

In fact, we reported this July 28th at http://www.mess.be with the following explanatory post:

Block checker phishing on the rise, Microsoft blocks .info completely

Every year I alert Messers to the dangers of self-proclaimed "block checkers", but still many and even advanced computerists fall victim to phishing efforts disguised as fairytales. Really, a block checker is as trustworthy as a bedridden grandmother with hairy ears and pointy teeth.

A lot of these deceptive sites appear to be hosted on the once-free, now low-priced .info top-level domain using names such as newmsnlive, msnforyou, messengerweb, msnblog, etc. And because these URLs are unknowingly being spread by victims as instant messages to their online contacts (eg. "Snif, get surprise at http://www.***.info/ Unbelievable!"), Microsoft has made the drastic decision to block all messages containing ".info". Filtering messages containing ".pif" or ".scr" is one thing, but this overprotective move prevents us from sharing links to perfectly safe sites (and I know a lot of you have registered .info domains for personal use). I agree that phishing should be fought back as much as possible, but this is just absurd! And they could at least make the server return an alert that the sent message has been blocked and hasn't reached its destination.

In another word, all .info domains will be less visible in the search engine, and probably less valuable. I am hoping Microsoft secured their Windows Live Messenger as soon as possible. This shouldn't be the case.

Easy workaround: use Jabber and tell your friends to start making the switch :)

Free Jabber account: http://jabber.org/
or if you have a Dreamhost account you can use their Jabber server with your own domain name, e.g., name@example.com.

Gmail chat runs on Jabber so you can chat with Gmail contacts even if you are using a different Jabber server like name@example.com...

"We understand that this may bring inconvenience on your end but given the circumstances, this action is really necessary"

No. It. Is. Not.

This is one of the dumbest moves from Microsoft since a long time... and it ain't even protecting anything (see tinyurl and such..)