Being Secure in using Instant Messaging on Your PC

Real time internet-based messaging software has been around for about ten years now and its usage is now pretty wide. These kinds of programs give you the illusion of a customized chat server attached to your PC but, in reality, the majority of them are actually just scripted add-ons or additions to email servers. They support not only instant message transfer but a host of favorites and contact functions to keep in contact with friends. Like email, these automated message systems support an instantaneous transfer of a message – or text response – just like chat. However, there is a growing awareness that unlike a chat server that resides in the data center of a provider, an email provider-driven instant messaging system allows for a much greater exposure to cyber crime and unauthorized access to your PC.

Many of the latest versions of the IMS craze allow the transfer of data files and scripted audio and video. However, these systems are now the subject of growing security breaches and virus transfer. When you open a file that is transferred in this manner it is the same as opening an attached file on an email message from someone you do not know. This may include a downloaded file with an attached virus. This can facilitate the download and installation of a virus onto your PC. Because of this growing concern it is now advisable to consider restricted access to these instant message systems. Here are the things you should do to protect yourself from the security breaches that are being sustained now.

Always be sure to communicate with a potential instant message contact first by regular email or other communication mediums. This will prevent the initiation of a series of exchanges the objective of which is to get you to download a graphic file of her beautiful face. Secondly, never open or allow the transmission of any file, attachment, graphic or picture record via instant messaging as a result of an I-message conversation. Forcing yourself to take the steps necessary to validate the security of a data source before accepting any file, record, or attachment on a message from it is just smart.

Next, never download and install any software that is described – especially by unknown email or instant message – as being from a hot new dating or singles site. These are normally infected with viruses. Finally, as a follow-on from the previous point, never accept any request from any instant message when on a music, porn or video site. These are also highly suspect these days.

One of the other things you can do to minimize your exposure to cyber crime involving instant messaging is to locate and purchase a top registry software package that cleanses your registry of bogus records automatically. They also delete instant message-created DLLs and do other registry fix functions that accomplish any needed Registry Repair.