Chat Room & Instant Messaging
Chat rooms are virtual places on the Internet where people with common interests communicate with each other. A lot of chat rooms have basic rules that govern appropriate or agreed upon behavior and content. Sometimes (but not always!) someone acts as a moderator. This person monitors the conversation(s) and tries to insure that users
Instant Messaging (IM) on the other hand, is a place where people can communicate one-on-one. While it was used a lot for entertainment purposes (i.e. within a chat room you have the capability to ask someone to speak privately through IM), instant messaging has become a useful communication tool for corporate and university employees. When used responsibly and securely, instant messaging is a great way to communicate within a department or work environment. The use of both chat rooms and instant messaging are open doors for security issues. Neither form of communication should be considered private. DO NOT use them to discuss or share personal, sensitive, or confidential information. Aside from the dangers of communicating with people who pretend to be someone they are not, people who use chat rooms or IM are vulnerable to attack. Somebody may be watching the conversation without the knowledge of the users. In short, the use of chat rooms or IM brings in people who will exploit others without remorse. When using instant messaging socially or frequenting chat rooms, keep the following things in mind:
- Don’t reveal personal details. We have talked about this in previous tips. Don't provide detailed contact or employment information. Never discuss your daily schedule. In short: don’t give up your privacy! Our ‘Social Engineering’ tip of the week explains how vulnerable you can be
- Be very skeptical about what you read. Be skeptical about the person you’re having a conversation with. A chat room is an environment where it’s very easy for a person with malicious intent to pretend to be somebody he is not.
- Don’t agree to meet anyone you’ve met online unless you can set clear boundaries, meet in very public places and bring a friend.
- Keep your computer’s defenses up to date. The software itself used for chatting may be vulnerable. Install software patches and update your anti-virus as soon as they are available.
- Maintain high security standards. Protect yourself!
- Set your profile to ‘private’ to prevent outside individuals from viewing it. You never know who may be watching.
- Parents beware! If you allow your child to frequent chat rooms or use IM, monitor them closely. It is not a matter of not trusting your child to be responsible. For pedophiles these means of communication are a way to lure unsuspecting victims. Teach your children to be safe and not believe everything they read.