Instant messaging with our friends and family has become a quick and easy way to keep in touch, share pictures, video clips, and music, and exchange files. But as with every other new technology, it has also become a tool used by hackers and other online criminals to wreck havoc with our online lives.

How do I protect my computer from problems with instant messengers?

The most basic thing you can do when using instant messenger software is to stay alert. Installing a firewall and an anti-virus software program will help decrease the likelihood of a problem occurring; but this is one case where you are squarely in the driver's seat.

First, know who you are chatting with and don't accept downloads or files or visit websites that are sent to you by people you don't know. To help further reduce this risk, set up your IM software to require your approval when adding new buddies and when downloading files.

Second, if you do download files, create a folder on your hard drive where you will always save these files to. Then, use your anti-virus software to scan the received files before you open them or install them on your computer.

Finally, check to make sure that features that are built-in to your instant messenger software that you don't use are turned off. This includes voice and video (web-cam) services, remote assistance / remote control, joint-web browsing services, and advertising services. If you don't use it, don't leave it on - it only provides another point of entry for the bad guys.

 

How do I protect myself and still enjoy meeting new people online?

Use these simple tips to stay safe when chatting on-line:

• Do you know everyone on your buddy or contacts list? Think carefully about who is on your list. People on IM, like in chat, may not be who they say they are, so a friend of a friend is not necessarily a friend. Don’t accept messages from people you don’t know.
• Keep your personal information secret when talking to someone you don’t know in the real world. Also think about what visible information you have, for example in your profile or member directory.
• Learn how to keep an archive/save a copy of your conversation, and don’t be afraid to tell someone you are saving their conversation.
• Learn how to block/ignore people.
• Check you know how to report something you feel uncomfortable about to the messenger provider.
• Use a nickname, not your real name, and a nickname that is not going to attract the wrong type of attention.
• Keep your username and password private, and change your password on a regular basis.
• Don’t reply to abusive messages. Don’t send abusive messages either. It’s best not to say anything on IM that you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.
• Meeting someone you have only been in touch with online can be dangerous. If you feel that you have to meet, then for your own safety you should tell a friend or family member (and consider taking them along) – at least on the first visit – and meet in a public place in the daytime.
• Don’t pass the buck - if someone you have accepted on your buddy or contacts list is acting weird, don’t pass them on to a friend. You could be putting your friend at risk. Just block them and report them to the messenger service.

 

What about chatting while using social networking sites?

The use of social networking sites (like Blogger, MySpace, Facebook, and others) has exploded in the past few years as it seems everyone has jumped online! Like instant messenger and web-based chat services before them, social networking sites pose all the same threats as before, but also require users to be a little more careful with their use. Because social networking sites allow you the ability to post so much information about yourself (pictures, addresses, telephone numbers, names, likes and dislikes, just to name a few), these sites have become havens for people who are looking for trouble (like identity theft).

When using social networking sites, we strongly recommend you keep the following guidelines in mind ... they may just keep you out of harm's way:

• Be careful what information you give out.
  Be careful what information you give out on your profile, blog and through the images you post. Remember that you don’t know who your friend’s friends are… or your friend’s friends’ friends! And you don’t know what they’ll do with your picture or your phone number if you inadvertently give it out. Use a nickname or your initials on your profile – you don’t want just anyone knowing your name.
  
  
• Think through who you want to chat to.
  Think through who you want to chat to, and how many of your personal thoughts you want anyone to view. Sometimes, it can seem a good idea to share what you got up to with your boyfriend last night, or the argument you had with your best mate; but as you’re writing – remember that information could be public forever! Test yourself by asking “would I want my teacher/future employer/a stranger to see this?!” If the answer’s no, don’t post it!
  
  
• Be careful who you agree to accept.
  Be careful who you agree to accept into your forums / private chat areas. You’re safer to only chat to people you know in the real world. Even if you know someone, who knows someone, who knows a person – unless you do - it’s better to keep it that way!
  
  
• Know where to go for help.
  If you feel anyone is being weird with you or your friends; or if someone is bullying you on one of these sites – contact the administrator of the area.
  

 

Software Solutions

• Download the latest version of AOL's Instant Messenger software. <CLICK HERE>
• Download the latest version of Microsoft's MSN Instant Messenger. <CLICK HERE>
• Download the latest version of Yahoo! Instant Messenger software. <CLICK HERE>

 

Secure It

There are a few easy things you can do to make sure that your instant messenger software is secure while it is connected to the Internet.

Turn Off Any Remote Control Programs
Some instant messenger programs (like the MSN Messenger) came with software that would allow you to ask someone you were chatting with, to help you with a computer problem. This software could let the other person see what you were seeing on the desktop - and in some cases, it could let the other person control your computer! These programs are great when you need help; but they should be turned off when you do not need help.

Turn Off Auto-Download Features
In some instant messenger software programs, a feature was built-in that allowed you to automatically download ANY file sent to you to a specific place on your computer. This feature has been exploited by hackers as a way to infect your PC with trojans and viruses. We strongly encourage instant messenger users to turn this feature off. In the PDF resource section at the bottom of this page, there are instructions on how to do this in Yahoo! and AOL Instant Messenger.

 

PDF Resources

• How to Turn Off Auto-Download in Yahoo! Instant Messenger
• How to Turn Off Auto-Download in AOL's Instant Messenger (AIM)