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Get the (Instant)
Message: Chat Safe!
November 5, 2003
Many students are so addicted to Instant Messaging that they
never sign off. Even when they’re away from their computer,
they post messages that they’re “classing”
or “sleeping.” As fascinating as that kind of info
may be, you might find the following IM conversation even more
interesting:
1NaiveGUY: Help! While IMing, I downloaded
a video from a guy named Virus4U and now my computer’s
acting weird!
TekXpert:.Never download files from strangers!
That video may have contained a virus.
1NaiveGUY: You don’t have to lecture
me! If I chat only with people I know, I’m safe, right?
TekXpert: No. Just like any software, IM programs
have internal bugs and flaws that could compromise your computer
1NaiveGUY: So what should I do?!
TekXpert: The best thing you can do is defend
your computer by periodically updating your IM program. Check
the service’s website regularly or (if they offer), opt
to have them notify you when updated versions are made available.
1NaiveGUY: Sometimes I get paranoid that my
chatting is being monitored by someone. Is that possible?
TekXpert: Yes because most IM services don’t
use encryption.
1NaiveGUY: encrypta-what?
TekXpert: Encryption scrambles messages as
they travel over the wires so outsiders can’t read them.
But IM services DON’T use encryption, so someone could
“listen” in, if they knew how. Just in case, don’t
chat about personal identity stuff like your bank PIN or social
security number.
1NaiveGUY: Duh. And besides, all I do via
IM is gossip.
TekXpert: Gossip away, but make sure your IM
username and password are different from the usernames and passwords
that you use for any other online services.
1NaiveGUY: Are there any IM programs that
are safer than others?
TekXpert: Nothing’s 100% safe. But third
party programs such as gaim and Fire are open-source, which
means anyone with programming know-how can (and often do) check
and fix the program’s security flaws. Oops, am I lecturing
again?
Auto response from 1NaiveGUY: Sleeping…
TekXpert: Very funny. Now go update your IM
program and STOP accepting messages from strangers!
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