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Are you worried about privacy and security online? Could you be a victim of Identity Theft? Instant messaging safety
Basic safety tips for popular instant messaging programs
First of all, although IM is included in our chat safety section, you should remember that IM is slightly different to a chat room (where there might be several users, all chatting at once).
IM conversations are usually one-to-one, although group IM conversations can take place.
AIM or AOL® Instant Messenger™
Perhaps the best known is AIM, AOL Instant Messenger. AIM is a free chat platform that allows non-AOL members to exchange instant messages with AOL members and non-members alike. It is heavily advertised across the web, easy to download, and easy to use. There are versions for installation on computers, and versions to allow you to receive IM messages on your web-enabled cell phone, PDA or laptop. There are even AIM chat rooms. These are un-monitored chats where registered AIM users can get together and chat in real time. AIM is by no means the only Instant Message system that has these chat rooms. Most of the others we will talk about have their own chat room systems in place as well. More...
ICQ
ICQ is advertised at being a global community of over 180 million users. Originally, strictly an Instant Messaging resource, it has quickly grown to embrace voice and video chat, chat rooms and forums, voice over IP and most other state-of-the-art services offered by internet content providers. The unique thing about ICQ is that you are known by a number. While there is a provision for you to enter personal information in your ICQ profile, you certainly are not under any obligation to do so. In addition, we recommend that you leave your profile blank. ICQ also gives you the ability to require approval before anyone is able to add your number to his or her buddy list. This allows you the option of only being seen online by those you want to see you, enhancing your privacy. As with the other Instant Message platforms, it will run quietly in the background, only letting you know it is there when someone sends you an IM. More...
MSN® Messenger
MSN Messenger is to MSN as AIM is to AOL. It is another full-featured Instant Message platform that gives you all the capabilities of text messaging, voice and video chat, as well as a system of chat rooms and member forums. MSN Messenger also interfaces with the popular hotmail web-based email service. This allows you to stay on top of your communications needs from your PC, Web-enabled cell phone or web-enabled PDA. More...
Trillian
Trillian is a very interesting program. Available in two versions, it actually allows the user to connect to the various other IM systems such as AIM, MSN, Yahoo, etc, from ONE platform. In other words, it combines many individual systems into one operating program on your desktop. You can chat “cross-platform,” without needing to open up AIM, MSN, YAHOO, ICQ, or other services individually. More...
Yahoo!® Messenger
Yahoo! Messenger is another widely advertised and easy to use chat system. Yahoo Messenger is an extremely comprehensive collection of chat programs for PC, PDA and cell phones. It also has available as part of its Suite: video chat, conference chat, voice chat, photos, webcams, address book synchronization plus many other features. A very useful tool to some and a very fun ‘toy’ to others. Yahoo also has a collection of online chat rooms that are interest oriented, similar to what AOL or some of the other online services have to offer. More...
All of these Instant Message platforms allow you to post an online profile. In these profiles you can tell about yourself, upload pictures of you, your dog, your house, your car, your favorite rock star, just about anything. As much fun as this sounds, we encourage you to NOT post any personal information in these kinds of public areas. You never know who is reading it, or what they will do with the information posted in your profile.
What do you do if trouble does arise? The answer to this question really depends on the nature of the trouble. Many people have experienced other users ‘following” them around the various chat rooms, sending them derogatory, inflammatory or otherwise un-wanted IMs, and in some cases threats of death or physical harm.
While the credibility of these threats is doubtful in many cases, they should be taken seriously. At minimum, you need to contact your local law enforcement agency and file a report. You should also file a Terms of Service violation report with the host sponsor of the IMs. Experience has shown however, that none of the major IM sponsors is very quick to act on your behalf. You are pretty much on your own. The quickest way to extract yourself from these kinds of online situations is to leave. Change your screen name, or go chat on another service. This may not seem fair, but we are talking about relief, not justice. Unfortunately, justice can be a long time in coming in most of these situations.
The bottom line to all of this is to enjoy chatting with other users, but always remember that you can never be 100% sure of who you are actually talking to, or what their real intentions may be. Trust your instincts! If the content of the discussions become uncomfortable for you, terminate the relationship, immediately!
If you find yourself in a situation where you cannot “shake” this kind of contact from a particular person, or threats of violence are made against you, seek help! If you are a minor, tell your parents, a school counsellor, minister, or any other adult in authority, about the situation.