Keeping instant messages safe from prying eyes

[BigBlueBall News]

Michael Garfield

November 23, 2003

As you may know, every time you send an instant message, you’re sending plain text across the Internet.

Like any plain text e-mail or document, instant messages can be sniffed and read. It’s time to crack down on prying eyes and talk about instant message encryption.

With so many instant messaging clients and services in use, I’m not going to focus on which service is better, but rather on how to encrypt your client of choice.

With the release of AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) 5.2, AOL added encryption to its software without the need of any third-party plug-ins. AOL suggests individuals looking to secure AIM purchase a secure certificate for $14.95 per year.

If you want something a bit cheaper (like free) use a certificate from AIM Encrypt. Simply follow the instructions and you’ll be chatting securely in no time.

Trillian is an instant messaging client that supports connections from AOL, MSN, ICQ, Yahoo! and IRC. The Trillian Secure IM engine uses a high-level encryption and key exchange to secure AIM and ICQ connections.

Quite possibly the most secure IM service in existence is Hush Messenger. It uses an encryption key that is almost impossible to break, and it even offers free web-based e-mail service that is also encrypted.

Play with them all and decide which one is right for you. But remember, you must use the software on both ends of the connection. If you use a secure client, but your friend doesn’t, the conversation remains unencrypted.

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