Security for instant massaging
In this age of technology, instant messaging (IM) is used almost everyday
by employees as a normal part of conducting business. IM applications allow
employees to communicate easily and share files with other IM users in real-time
sessions. IM tools used in a corporate environment are also used to relay
confidential information over the internet. To communicate with internal and
external sources, employees use publicly available IM applications such as AOL,
MSN, Yahoo, and ICQ. The use of IM can create a security risk and a potential
drain on employee productivity.
The use of non-regulated IM tools to share files poses a serious security
threat to organizations. IM applications are inherently vulnerable to viruses,
worms, and Trojan horses. To prevent such web-based threats, organizations need
to explore the benefits of secure IM. In companies where IM communication is built
into the corporate culture and presents considerable business advantages,
organizations need a more flexible instant messaging security solution. Web sense
Web Security Suite™ allows organizations to enforce IM usage policies that specify
which IM tools can be used, which specific users are given access, and what IM
attachments are allowed. Web sense Web Security Suite secures your network from
IM Security threats.
Instant messaging is a popular method for communicating over the Internet.
Instant messaging (IM) is a real-time supplement to and, in some regards, a
replacement for e-mailing. Unlike e-mail, instant messaging allows users to
see whether a chosen friend or co-worker is connected to the Internet. Typically,
the instant messaging service will alert a user if somebody on the user's list of
correspondents is on-line. Instant messaging also differs from e-mail in that
messages are exchanged directly almost instantly, allowing for a two-way communication
in real-time. Because of the almost immediate two-way nature of communication,
many users feel that the use of instant messaging in the workplace leads to more
effective and efficient workplace communications and, therefore, to higher productivity.
As a result, IM is increasing in popularity in both professional and personal applications.
However, as with most things Internet based, the increasing use of instant messaging has
led to an associated increase in the number of security risks.
While 96 percent of people who use instant messaging use it from home, 20 percent of
them use it at work as well. Furthermore, the study found that those who do use instant
messaging at work use it to get the job done, rather than to waste time talking to "buddies".
"Instant messaging [is] a growing communication tool that is fast becoming a substitute for
traditional methods of communication," said Lee Smith, chief operating officer for Internet
research company InsightExpress, which conducted the study. "Instant access helps people to
do their jobs more efficiently than waiting for someone to call them back on the phone or
find their email from a week ago."
The survey found that 47 percent of Internet users have downloaded Instant Messenger software
onto their PC, and use it on a regular basis. Thirty-nine percent of employees who use instant
messaging in the office said that the application helps to improve their job productivity.
Nearly half of all respondents additionally use instant messaging as a replacement for a
telephone call, while one third use it in place of sending an email.
The online shopping comparison service Kelkoo is one of many companies using the AOL messaging
service to communicate with their international offices. "Three hundred emails a day are hard
to cope with -- instant messaging is a good way for people to get in contact instantly,
to discuss something or share [Web page] links," said Matt Gibbs, UK product manager for Kelkoo.
"It improves the flow of communication, and is far more conversational."
Instant messaging users appear unhindered by the multiple IM services currently
available, and tend to register with more than one service. AOL's AIM is the most
popular service with 45 percent of users, MSN has 29 percent, Yahoo! has 16 percent
and ICQ trails with 6 percent.
The popularity of instant messaging is driven by the quirky features incorporated
into the services. Eighty-two percent of the 300 people questioned in the survey
favored the ability to see if a "buddy" is online, and 70 percent liked the feature
that shows when a "buddy" signs on or off.
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