Summary: New Skype antifeature enables remote control of computers and Skype attracts patent lawsuits, too

The Microsoft-controlled Skype is not the same software it used to be. The architecture has been revised. Microsoft Skype is legalised malware and it abducts the computers of people, Microsoft Windows not being a prerequisite, gaining access to the connected camera, microphone, files, etc.

Based on this article, it is getting yet uglier:

After six malicious takeovers of his Skype account, a frustrated security researcher has posted his attempts to get Skype's help. Here's how to protect yourself.

The update says "Skype has not responded to request for comment, yet email and comments relate more instances of account hijacking with the same technique."

And later on comes a face-saving response which does not actually address the subject. Microsoft does nothing to alleviate the fears.

Speaking of Skype, VirnetX, which we covered here many times before (the context being patent litigation against Microsoft) is suing Microsoft over it, citing patent violations. To quote the Indian press:

According to research firm ISI Group, most of VirnetX's revenue has come from a 200 million dollars patent-infrigement-related settlement reached with Microsoft in 2010.

It is unlikely that Skype will be sued out of existence, but either way, whatever weakens it will do society good. The FSF has done a lot of activism against Skype for a reason. It's high priority on the kill list. ⬆