Secure Instant
Messaging Common both at home and the office, Instant Messenger applications are creating greater security concerns. Hackers and spammers have already begun to exploit these applications putting the safety of your data at greater risk. Protecting your system and your data against viruses should be a high priority. Although anti-virus programs are adept at detecting viruses lurking in your e-mail, none are ready to monitor your IM application. Security vulnerabilities have been discovered in each of the four most popular messaging applications: AOL, Yahoo, IRC and MSN. If you choose to use an instant messaging application, there are several ways to minimize but not eliminate the security threat:
1. It’s important that you update your IM application whenever
new software is available. Most IM clients will prompt you when new
updates are available.
2. Never accept messages from people who aren't on your contact
list. Each of the messaging clients have different configuration options
to either block individuals not on your contact list, or create an Ignore
list of individuals with whom you do not wish to chat. It is strongly
recommended that you utilize these options.
3. Exercise caution when sending or receiving files via the IM
client. In fact, it is much wiser to send and receive files via email
where the anti-virus software can check the integrity of the file before
you access the data.
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