Changes to firewall access using Yahoo
If you're using Yahoo! Messenger 8.1 or earlier and you're accessing Yahoo! Messenger from behind a firewall, you may see an important message pop up the next time you log in. To help Yahoo! Messenger run more efficiently, we are making some changes to our servers, specifically those that support access for our users that are behind a firewall (typically those that use Yahoo! Messenger in a corporate environment). The system message will encourage you to upgrade to Yahoo! Messenger 9.0. In about one month, we will be blocking sign in to 8.1 and earlier versions for users that are accessing from behind a firewall. Upgrading to 9.0 will ensure that you can continue to use Yahoo! Messenger. [img]http://l.yimg.com/a/i/us/msg/site/blog/firewallmsg.jpg[/img] Note that we'll only show the system message to you if you are signing in from behind a firewall. You will continue to see the message until you upgrade to Yahoo! Messenger 9.0. If you're not signing in from behind a firewall, you will not see this warning. So if you don't see the system message pop up, don't worry that means you are not affected by the change. See Below for more information Sarah Bacon Product Manager Why do I need to upgrade to Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 if I have a firewall? In Yahoo! Messenger 9.0, we improved how Yahoo! Messenger works with a firewalland upgrading will allow you to take advantage of these improvements. Also, older versions of Yahoo! Messenger will no longer be able to connect through a firewall. What is a firewall? A firewall is security software that prevents unauthorized access to your computer. Many company networks and some home networks have firewalls to keep their computers more secure. Firewalls protect against viruses and other types of malicious software. Will everyone that uses a firewall need to upgrade to the latest version of Yahoo! Messenger? Almost everyone that uses a firewall is affected by this issue and will have better results with Yahoo! Messenger 9.0. Upgrading to the latest version of Messenger also gives you access to some great new features! Here's a partial list: · Play videos directly in the conversation windowjust IM the URL · Enjoy photo sharing through Flickr · Invite friends from AOL, Hotmail, Gmail, Facebook, MySpace, and Orkut · Have friends talk to you from websites through the new Pingbox widget · Play Games with friends · See what your contacts are up to with Yahoo! Updates What if I don't upgrade to the new Yahoo! Messenger? If you don't move to the newer version, you won't be able to access Yahoo! Messenger if you have a firewall.
