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You have anti-virus software, and you're careful not to download attachments from unrecognized e-mails. But there may be a gaping hole in your security system that leaves you vulnerable to an instant attack.

Leah Bloomberg loves to instant message, so do 70 million people, it's the way to stay in touch.

Leah

"Instant messenger is basically just to keep in touch with your friends."

 And since we're dealing with "friends" i-m'ing is safe..right?

Leah

"I was very surprised surprised."

  When Leah clicked on a link in a friend's instant messenger profile it wound up to be a virus.

Vincent Weafer

"Instant messaging is a newer source of infection..."

 Vincent Weafer works for Symantec, a leading Internet security firm. The company just released a report that warns, Internet messaging is now a major target for viruses, in fact they've seen a 400% rise.

Preston Gralla

"It's really a growing problem..very serious problem."

 Preston Gralla wrote the book, 'How the Internet works', he says while we're getting smarter about email bugs, when it comes to text talking, we let our guard down.

Preston

"There is a personal relationship that they have with other people and so they tend to be much more open. Virus writers use this to target instant messaging programs."

I-M viruses can hijack your homepage, steal personal information or destroy files. They're sent in downloads or, the newest trick, links to seemingly harmless web sites.

Preston

"They hijack a buddy list and what they do every person on that buddy list, they send a link and it seems like it's coming from a friend. You therefore are going to click on it."

Leah thought she was clicking on a link her buddy had posted, turned out it was a pornography web site and the virus sent the link to her entire buddy list...and she had anti-virus software.

Preston

"Don't just click on it, send back an instant message confirming that this is a real person, and not a virus sending it to you."

You need to make sure your anti-virus protection is up to date, and that it can handle these new i-m worms. We contacted the leading instant messenger providers. Neither America Online nor Yahoo would comment. I'm problem solver Susan Hogan eyewitness news.