MSN viruses/hacked? How do they do it?

I've seen more than one instance where my friend send me some msn messages when they are offline. Something like:

Hey I just uploaded some pictures. check it out at
myfriendsname.coolpixxx.com

I'm just wondering how they do it? Is there a script that hack into random people's msn? And what's with the "website name"?

I don't want to copy this method but anyone who could shed some light on the matter would be appreciated.

They probably phish to get the passwords and use a bot to send the messages. Check this out:

LOL. I got some nasties installed in one f my laptops last month through it. My ex send me "NEW BABY PICS CHECK THEM OUT"

And believe me I got myself clicking knowing nothing could go wrong and it was him.

this trick could make people rich if done with marketing

MSN Spreaders, usually bundled with Botnets and other nasty stuff. It's usually just a program that IM's all the contacts of the victim tricking them into opening the file and continuing the cycle.

This viruses usually spreads by way of flash/usb drives and even mp3 players.