Secure and encrypted instant messaging applications.

Being security-conscious isn’t an admission that you have info you’d be ashamed to share. It’s about not willing to broadcast every detail of your person to the fine folks in the IT department at work, or who-knows-who at the neighborhood cafe.

If you are interested in security and safety when we talk about an instant messaging, you have many options for encrypted IM. A reminder: IM encryption means ‘more difficult to read’, not ‘impossible to read’. Here’s a list of instant messenger encryption options and overviews of their features. If you’ve used any of these your comments would be welcome.

IM Crypto.
The problem with IM Crypto is that the free version allows only one secured contact. Also limited IM client support: Yahoo messenger and ICQ only, and platform-wise only Windows 2000/XP/Vista, at least for now. The interface is attractive though.

Brosix.
It’s an encrypted IM client aimed at corporate customers. It’s not free, but it includes value-added features like White Board and Screen Sharing, and pricing is less than US$2/user per month.

Bitwise.
It looks like a feature-rich encrypted IM option for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, with conferencing, whiteboards, fast file transfers and file sharing, and quite a few other features. Variable pricing structure, but the ‘BitWise IM Personal’ basic service is free.

Secway.
This instant messaging application offers its Simp line of IM encryption tools, which support popular clients including MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, ICQ/AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), Jabber/Google Talk. Simp Server (in beta) handles Unix/Linux/Mac OS X platforms and is free.

Pidgin.
A lot of people hold Pidgin, formerly known as Gaim, in high regard for instant messaging. You will find Pidgin-Encryption, over at Sourceforge, available for the Windows version of the Pidgin IM client and with Gaim 1.x releases.

Retroshare.
This messaging software is an attractive-looking option for instant messaging and filesharing, that essentially includes IM encryption. It is open-source, cross platform (Windows/OSX/Linux) and server-less: you simply send your friend a key to set up your own IM network.

X-IM.
First off, there’s X-IM, with its 256-bit strong encryption and firewall compatibility. Free for the standard version, but for secure file transfer, digitally signed documents, and an ad-free interface, you’ll need to go for the Pro version. It advertises its “improved functionality under Windows XP”, but it appears from the site that it does not support other platforms.