AIM Keep Alives

T

TheSpook

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 12, 2004
Messages
379
So I'm sitting here sniffing packets on m'box, and I noticed that AIM sends out "Keep Alives" every 30 seconds -- even when I'm not running the program.

Is there any reason for this, or is something fishy going on?

Edit: Also, there are "Ping" messages over the YMSG (Yahoo Messenger) protocol every 30 seconds. I've never used YMSG before . . . and am confused.
 
There's also the hidden adware that comes along with bloated AIM client, and I think the yahoo one too. Tis why I prefer more neutral univeral IMs like Trillian or Gaim or Miranda.
 
use process explorer. usually it runs something like aimsoftware.exe or aolsoftware.exe (the adware stonecat mentioned).

If you want to keep aim, add the exe to a software restriction policy (assuming xp pro).
 
To the AIM v. Other client response: I'm actually using Gaim, which is why I ruled out the oh-this-bloatware-just-came-with-the-client option.

To the XP Pro response: Although this -does- happen on my XP box, I was running Wireshark on my Ubuntu machine when I noticed this.

I will look into this more after exams . . . :eek:
 
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