Regarding the Webcam Flaw , the Messenger Team have posted about the new upgrades and here is the key parts below:
Do users have to upgrade?
Yes, once a user has been given a mandatory upgrade notice, they will have to install Windows Live Messenger 8.1. Most users have been given an optional upgrade notice since January 2007.
I am not seeing a mandatory upgrade right now and I am running a bad version of the client, why?
The Messenger network uses a rolling upgrade mechanism across the network. It will take several days to get a mandatory upgrade and new bits to all users.
What can users do now to protect themselves sooner?
Users running Windows Live Messenger 8.1 do not need to take action. Users running earlier versions of Messenger should visit http://messenger.live.com and install Windows Live Messenger 8.1.
I use Windows 2000. How can I protect myself?
Because Windows 2000 isn’t supported by Windows Live Messenger 8.1, we will provide an updated version of MSN Messenger 7.0. We will upgrade Windows 2000 users to the updated version of MSN Messenger 7.0 after the Windows Live Messenger upgrades.
Till then, as a precautionary measure, don’t accept a webcam or a video call invitation from a contact that you don’t trust.
If I’m running the new Windows Live Messenger 8.5 beta, am I protected?
Yes. Messenger 8.5 beta users are not affected by this vulnerability.
