Home › Forums › Archives › Computer Support › Online Privacy, Safety & Security › Are YOUR instant messages private?
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June 25, 2001 at 4:54 am #14365Jeff HesterKeymaster
The short answer is… no!
Today, many of the instant messengers offer archiving ability. It’s a feature that you can control, allowing you to save your chat sessions.
So since you control whether or not your turn this feature on, there’s no risk, right?
Wrong! The person you chat with can still turn the feature on, and save the chat session on their computer.
So if you use IM in a business setting, or on a shared computer, be aware that your messages could be saved (and read) later!
So… does this make you worry about your privacy?
Jeff Hester
BigBlueBall.com ModeratorJune 28, 2001 at 3:02 pm #103195rustedtightMember“What, me worry?”
I equate email and IM’s to shouting out of a window at night, You cant see who else is listening but your damned sure somebody probably is or could if they wanted.
Just as in daily life, dont compromise yourself. It may help if you assume your chat buddy is the worlds worst gossip.June 29, 2001 at 5:15 pm #103192Jeff HesterKeymasterShouting out the window! I like it!
As far as your friend being the world’s worst gossip…I’d like to think I could trust my friends. Though you’re right; if you want to play safe, that’s a good way to go.
One of the rules I sometimes share is this: “Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want your mother to overhear!”
Jeff Hester
BigBlueBall.com ModeratorAugust 29, 2001 at 5:36 pm #103196rhiannonMemberPrivate?
God damn, I assume my posts are public property.
Private?
c’mon, and money grows on trees huh?
Oh sure.August 30, 2001 at 4:52 am #103191Jeff HesterKeymasterQuote:quote:
Private?
God damn, I assume my posts are public property.
Private?
c’mon, and money grows on trees huh?
Oh sure.On a public discussion board or in a chat room you naturally understand that you don’t have privacy. But I think many people may still think that when they chat one-on-one with someone, that “conversation” is private. Clearly that’s not always the case.
So do you care? Does it matter? I guess the answer is “it depends.” The key is to be aware of the risks, so you can manage them accordingly.
Jeff Hester
BigBlueBall.com ModeratorSeptember 18, 2001 at 3:42 pm #103194rustedtightMemberThe answer is a resounding NO.
Now more than ever, what with relatively dumb kids able to set up a sophisticated denial of service attack against anyone who displeases them. to professional thieves leeching websites, mail n chat looking for credit card details, through to authorities placing Carnivore collecting systems at internet service providers. A Carnivore is a windows computer with removable hard drive so easily removed that the agent would take seconds to remove the drive n replace it with a blank one. Your privacy is a myth.
However, be honest with your chat buddies, dont break the law and who cares if somebody is recording my conversations.March 24, 2002 at 9:12 pm #103197craigenheimerMemberHmm…
How do you turn on this feature? it could be helpful, but not for blackmail..
I would never do that…March 24, 2002 at 9:54 pm #103190Jeff HesterKeymasterWell, you turn it on for your computer, so I don’t know how useful it would be for blackmail (unless it’s your kids or significant other you’re after, in which case, you’ve got other issues).
How you turn logging on varies depending on which instant messenger you’re using. Generally its an option in the preferences or settings. Yahoo, ICQ, Odigo and Trillian all have logging built-in. You can add it to AOL or MSN by installing a third-party add-on (like Messenger Plus for MSN Messenger).
Jeff Hester
BigBlueBall.comJune 14, 2002 at 10:09 pm #103198benMemberAlso keep in mind that with all the consumer IM products, the actual communication is going across the internet in plaintext. There are a number of “tools” available that allow other individuals on the network to monitor IM traffic and log it. Some of these tools are designed for corp/enterprise use, but some are being sold directly to individuals.
This is one of the major reasons why some companies have banned use of consumer IM products for employee use, and are selecting enterprise IM solutions that include encryption.
B://
July 23, 2002 at 6:03 am #103200bushwickMemberI know my response to this age long debate is a little old but since I was forum surfing anyway, I figured I would add my two dollars and forty five cents on this topic.
As you all know by now, I used to work for America Online. Instant Messages were a tool that we HAD to use to do our job’s efficiently (only I and maybe a handful of my ex co-workers actually knew the meaning of that word ‘efficient’).
It was drilled into our heads that all of our conversations, no matter what were being monitored. AOL top brass, picked no bones about it that they had the resources to ‘spy’ on us all the back in Reston VA (the location of their elite NOC department).
They made it absolutely 100% crystal clear that rather we were conversing to AOL customers or having cybersex with our future online wife, husband (whatever) that they would know about it so it was just assumed that we didn’t have any privacy.
A lot of people passed up the oppertunity to work for them because of this very reason. (I left for other reasons, that I won’t mention in the forums).
The moral of this story, if you want privacy don’t work for America Online.
BuShWiCk
July 23, 2002 at 1:21 pm #103193rustedtightMemberQuote:quote: The moral of this story, if you want privacy don’t work for America Online.You are saying then, that AOL is different to the rest…..
rustedtight
July 23, 2002 at 4:12 pm #103189Jeff HesterKeymasterNo, AOL isn’t really different. All companies usually have a “acceptable usage policy” that covers the use of all company resources. This includes computers and Internet connections. They usually state that they have the right to monitor all your communications (email, instant messages, etc.) as well as everything on your company computer.
However, usually this is a CYA clause (Cover Your A**) that is designed to protect them in the case where the employee does something illegal. If an employee stalks another employee or sends harrassing messages to someone using the companies computers and/or Internet connection, the company has a better case for sidestepping any legal liability. “We told them not to do that… and they promised they wouldn’t!” That sort of thing.
Jeff Hester aka “Mister BigBlueBall.com”
July 23, 2002 at 4:51 pm #103201dainbramageMemberHehehehe, whats the bottom line in the CYA clause here then?
Mine? you never chatted with me, I’m a bot.
Dainbramage
July 23, 2002 at 6:37 pm #103199bushwickMemberQuote:quote:
Hehehehe, whats the bottom line in the CYA clause here then?Mine? you never chatted with me, I’m a bot.
Dainbramage
My personal favorite CYA clause was:
“It wasn’t me I was pod sharked!”
Yes, a lame CYA clause but oh sooooo effective
BuShWiCk
August 21, 2002 at 11:04 am #103202MerryOneMemberIn no way are IMS safe. As ive found out recently. Someone who i thought was a friend saved without me knowing, all of our chats on Msn Messenger. And has threatened to use them against me. She has betrayed my trust and im hoping beyond hope that she changes her mind. You think you can trust someone, so tell them alot of things, then they turn on you just like that for their own ends. Yes, I too have chats saved on msn messenger, but delete all except the ones i have with my boyfriend, as i like to read them again.
So its a case of chatter beware i guess. And to just watch what you say to the next person who says they are your *friend*
“Love in its wisdom is the ultimate grace. To drown in it’s pool of desire, is the perfect fall”
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