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Internet Security
Instant
Messages May Compromise
Your Internet Security
Instant
messaging has grown in popularity in this fast paced world. If you are corresponding with someone
via emails, there are certain steps you need to take. You will
click on the e-mail, read it, reply to it, and send it back.
Then you wait for the e-mail you just sent to be opened and
you have no way of knowing if the person you are emailing is
still on line or at their computer. Instant messaging cuts
out many steps and provides instant communication with any
of your contacts that are on-line.
Instant messaging programs allow you to have a list of key
people that you want to interact with. Called a buddy or contact
list, you will know when your buddy is on-line and can type
messages back and forth as in real time. There is also the
added benefit now of being connected to your buddy by web cam.
This is a wonderful invention when it comes to children and
grandchildren far from home. I love to see my granddaughters
who live on the West Coast. It allows them to see my face and
keep me fresh in their memory.
Instant messaging offers many advantages including chatting
between friends on line, and creating your own chat room with
family and friends. You can share web links to your favorite
sites, play sounds to your friends and share files and photos.
Many IM users use the computer instead of long-distance phone
calls to talk to family and friends. One advantage to Instant
Messaging that I like is that I can chat with more than one
friend or family member at a time. The trick is to make sure
you don’t post a message in the wrong window!
Instant messaging, with many other innovations on the Internet
can sometimes carry a security risk. Without security
measures, some users could potentially expose sensitive data
and information
to outsiders. Virus protection programs don’t scan these instant
messaging files and that causes a real threat.
There
are three basic ways that Instant Messaging can compromise
your Internet security. One concern is that because you are
unable to verify whom you are talking to, you could be giving
out information to a competitor or someone intent on harming
your or your computer. The second is, worms and viruses can
be sent through Instant Messages, and Stealth programs can
gain access to your computer and all your information. Third,
it is easy to eavesdrop on IM conversations. If you have the
computer knowledge, and many do, they can listen in on your
chat conversations and learn important information that you
would prefer to be kept private.
There are security choices when it comes to protecting your
instant messages from being pirated. Some large and small companies
are banning all Instant Messaging from company computers. They
can install closed IM programs that will allow instant messaging
as a useful tool within the company but keep out the threats
from outside. Some companies are storing all instant messages
sent and are able to pull them up and view them. If an employee
is using an open IM to chat with their wife then the company
is at risk for viruses and hacking. Software developers have
created special software programs to make IM possible between
company computers but no outside messages can be sent or received.
Monitoring
of all company instant messages is widely used to combat the use of Instant Messaging for personal use and
wasting company time. This allows small companies as well as
the large ones to monitor what their employees are doing with
their time. Companies are using archived instant messages to
discourage sexual harassment and other workplace behavior,
which is unacceptable.
Instant
messaging is a wonderful tool but can expose your computer
to viruses or worms. If you receive an instant message
from someone you aren’t familiar with, it’s a good idea to
not click on any links that are provided. The message may look
like it comes from a friend but could harbor a virus or worm
by downloading an applet that can install Trojan programs and
install Spyware and adware. One popular link allows you to
play a game, which pretends to catch Bin Laden. Computer operators
who clicked on the game downloaded a program that snatched
all of their IM contacts and sent them the same e-mail.
Protect your chats by being aware of the dangers. Don’t click
on hyperlinks that you don’t recognize. Check your antiviral
news page for current threats to instant messaging programs.
As with all computer programs and innovations, common sense
will help to protect your computer’s security. # # # # #
SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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