Skype is rolling out a hotfix for a number of Skype clients that have been affected by a security flaw which sent instant messages (IMs) intended for one contact to another random person on a user’s contact list.
The fix is being rolled out over the next couple of days and Microsoft-owned Skype is recommending that users download them as soon as they become available.
The affected clients are Skype 5.10 for Windows, 5.8 for Mac, 4.0 for Linux and 1.2 for Windows Phone.
“We cannot determine precisely how many users may have been affected by this error, we believe the number is small given the very specific circumstances under which the error occurs,” said Skype. “During further investigation, we confirmed that not all Skype products were affected by this error as originally reported. We can assure that users of Skype 5.9 for Windows, Skype 2.8 for Android and Skype 4.0 for IOS have not been affected.”
Skype had previously been viewed as a safe method of communication as data is stored on the client, rather than any of its servers, as it uses a peer-to-peer system. Researchers last year uncovered a vulnerability that could disclose the location, identity and content of downloads, while Microsoft’s plans to introduce adverts has also raised privacy concerns.
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