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What is Instant Messaging

Instant messaging (IM) is a collection of technologies that create the possibility of real-time text-based communication between two or more participants over the internet or some form of internal network/intranet. It is important to understand that what separates chat and instant messaging from technologies such as e-mail is the perceived synchronicity of the communication by the user - Chat happens in real-time. Some systems allow the sending of messages to people not currently logged on (offline messages), thus removing some of the differences between Instant Messaging and e-mail (often this is done by sending the message to the associated e-mail account). IM allows effective and efficient communication, allowing immediate receipt of acknowledgment or reply. In many cases Instant Messaging includes additional features, which make it even more popular. For example, users can see each other by using web-cams, or talk directly for free over the Internet using a microphone and headphones (or speakers). Many clients allow file transfer as well, although they are typically limited in the file-size allowed. It is typically possible to save a conversation for later reference. Instant messages are often logged in a local message history, making it similar to the persistent nature of e-mails.

The History of Instant Messaging

Instant messaging predates the Internet, first appearing on multi-user operating systems like CTSS and Multics[1] in the mid-1960s. Initially, some of these systems were used as notification systems for services like printing, but quickly were used to facilitate communication with other users logged in to the same machine.[citation needed] As networks developed, the protocols spread with the networks. Some of these used a peer-to-peer protocol (eg talk, ntalk and ytalk), while others required peers to connect to a server (see talker and IRC). During the Bulletin board system (BBS) phenomenon that peaked during the 1980s, some systems incorporated chat features which were similar to instant messaging; Freelancin' Roundtable was one prime example. In the last half of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, the Quantum Link online service for Commodore 64 computers offered user-to-user messages between currently connected customers which they called "On-Line Messages" (or OLM for short). (Quantum Link's better-known later incarnation, America Online, offers an instant messaging service under the name "AOL Instant Messenger" (AIM)). While the Quantum Link service ran on a Commodore 64, using only the Commodore's PETSCII text-graphics, the screen was visually divided up into sections and OLMs would appear as a yellow bar saying "Message From:" and the name of the sender along with the message across the top of whatever the user was already doing, and presented a list of options for responding.[2] As such, it could be considered a sort of GUI, albeit much more primitive than the later Unix, Windows and Macintosh based GUI IM programs. OLMs were what Q-Link called "Plus Services" meaning they charged an extra per-minute fee on top of the monthly Q-Link access costs. Modern, Internet-wide, GUI-based messaging clients, as they are known today, began to take off in the mid 1990s with PowWow, ICQ, and AOL Instant Messenger. Similar functionality was offered by CU-SeeMe in 1992; though primarily an audio/video chat link, users could also type messages to each other. AOL later acquired Mirabilis, the creators of ICQ; a few years later ICQ (now owned by AOL) was awarded two patents for instant messaging by the U.S. patent office. Meanwhile, other companies developed their own applications (Excite, MSN, Ubique, and Yahoo), each with its own proprietary protocol and client; users therefore had to run multiple client applications if they wished to use more than one of these networks. In 1998 IBM released IBM Lotus Sametime, a product based on technology acquired when IBM bought Haifa-based Ubique and Lexington-based Databeam. In 2000, an open source application and open standards-based protocol called Jabber was launched. The protocol was standardized under the name "Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol" (XMPP). XMPP servers could act as gateways to other IM protocols, reducing the need to run multiple clients. Multi-protocol clients can use any of the popular IM protocols by using additional local libraries for each protocol. IBM Lotus Sametime's November 2007 release added IBM Lotus Sametime Gateway support for XMPP. Social networking providers (such as Facebook) often offer IM capabilities. Many instant messaging services offer video conferencing features, Voice Over IP (VoIP) and web conferencing services. Web conferencing services integrate both video conferencing and instant messaging capabilities. Some instant messaging companies are offering desktop sharing, IP radio, and IPTV to the voice and video features. The term "instant messenger" is a service mark of Time Warner[3] and may not be used in software not affiliated with AOL in the United States. For this reason, the instant messaging client formerly known as Gaim or gaim announced in April 2007 that they would be renamed "Pidgin"

Compliance Risks of Instant Messaging

In addition to the malicious code threat, the use of instant messaging at work also creates a risk of non-compliance to laws and regulations governing the use of electronic communications in businesses. In the United States alone there are over 10,000 laws and regulations related to electronic messaging and records retention.[9] The better-known of these include the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, HIPAA, and SEC 17a-3. Clarification from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") was issued to member firms in the financial services industry in December, 2007, noting that "electronic communications", "email", and "electronic correspondence" may be used interchangeably and can include such forms of electronic messaging as instant messaging and text messaging.[10] Changes to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, effective December 1, 2006, created a new category for electronic records which may be requested during discovery in legal proceedings. Most countries around the world also regulate the use of electronic messaging and electronic records retention in similar fashion to the United States. The most common regulations related to IM at work involve the need to produce archived business communications to satisfy government or judicial requests under law. Many instant messaging communications fall into the category of business communications that must be archived and retrievable.

Windows Live Messenger Big in Brazil

ComScore Inc, a leading marketing research company unfurled an striking report relating email and instant messenger market in Brazil. Data in the report shows that Microsoft is the ace in email as well as instant messenger, followed by Google. The report also included other IT companies with substantial growth. According comScore managing director of Latin America, Alex Banks, Microsoft exercises a strong foothold on many consumer applications in the Latin American marketplace. He also added that there were other software giants such as Google and Yahoo! flexing their muscles. Bank anticipates that the competitive landscape would changes over the next few years with so many consumer-focused Internet brands taking part in this digital gold rush. ComScore's survey in December revealed 24 million Brazilians aged 15 and older visited web-based email sites from home and work locations. A majority of them nearly 20 million can access Windows Live Hotmail. Next in the ranks was Google's Gmail with 8.4 million visitors (up 51 percent from last year), Yahoo! Mail followed with 7.1 million visitors (up by 20 percent) and UOL Mail having nearly 4 million visitors (up by 14 percent). What's most interesting, 34 percent of Hotmail users swayed to Gmail, where as 81 percent of Gmail users visited Hotmail. Coming down to the Instant Messenger Application, again Microsoft's Windows Live messenger rules the roost dominating 98.82% of the market in Brazil. However, this category on a whole is growing at a sluggish pace only up by 5% as compared to the total Brazilian Internet audience (up 20 percent). Further there are several smaller players such as EBuddy and Meebo in the IM market that are growing at substantial rate. Microsoft's IM application is under threat with the raging competition in IM market. It's high-time for the tech-giant to workout strategies ways to outplay the competitors to survive its dominance in the IM market, in Brazil.

Security Risks of Instant Messaging

Crackers (malicious "hacker" or black hat hacker) have consistently used IM networks as vectors for delivering phishing attempts, "poison URLs", and virus-laden file attachments from 2004 to the present, with over 1100 discrete attacks listed by the IM Security Center[7] in 2004-2007. Hackers use two methods of delivering malicious code through IM: delivery of virus, trojan, or spyware within an infected file, and the use of "socially engineered" text with a web address that entices the recipient to click on a URL that connects him or her to a website that then downloads malicious code. Viruses, worms, and trojans typically propagate by sending themselves rapidly through the infected user's buddy list. An effective attack using a poison URL may reach tens of thousands of people in minutes when each person's buddy list receives messages appearing to be from a trusted friend. The recipients click on the web address, and the entire cycle starts again. Infections may range from nuisance to criminal, and are becoming more sophisticated each year. IM connections usually take place in plain text, making them susceptible to eavesdropping. In addition, IM client software often requires the user to expose open UDP ports to the world, increasing the threat posed by potential security vulnerabilities.

Inappropriate use of Instant Messaging

Organizations of all types must protect themselves from the liability of their employees inappropriate use of IM. The informal, immediate, and ostensibly anonymous nature of instant messaging makes it a candidate for abuse in the workplace. The topic of inappropriate IM use became front page news in October 2006 when Congressman Mark Foley resigned his seat after admitting sending offensive instant messages of a sexual nature to underage former House pages from his Congressional office PC. The Mark Foley Scandal led to media coverage and mainstream newspaper articles warning of the risks of inappropriate IM use in workplaces. In most countries, corporations have a legal responsibility to ensure harassment-free work environment for employees. The use of corporate-owned computers, networks, and software to harass an individual or spread inappropriate jokes or language creates a liability for not only the offender but also the employer. A survey by IM archiving and security provider Akonix Systems, Inc. in March 2007 showed that 31% of respondents had been harassed over IM at work. Companies now include instant messaging as an integral component of their policies on appropriate use of the World Wide Web, e-mail, and other corporate assets.

Instant Messaging Language (Slang/Lingo)

Users sometimes make use of internet slang or text speak to abbreviate common words or expressions in order to quicken conversations or to reduce keystrokes. The language has become universal, with well-known expressions such as 'lol' translated over to face to face language. Emotions are often expressed in shorthand, such as the abbreviation LOL, BRB and TTYL (respectively Laugh(ing) Out Loud, Be Right Back and Talk To You Later. Some, however, attempt to be more accurate with emotional expression over IM. Real time reactions such as (chortle) (snort) (guffaw) or (eye-roll) are becoming more popular.[5] Also there are certain standards that are being introduced into mainstream conversations including, '#' indicates the use of sarcasm in a statement (alternatively (!) after the statement) and '*' which indicates a spelling mistake and/or grammatical error in the previous message, followed by a correction.

Top 5 Windows Live Messenger Virus Removal Software

There are many users worldwide who feel helpless before malicious attackers and hackers attacking Windows Live Messenger and MSN Messenger. Once your MSN messenger is infected by virus, Trojan, worm, keyloggers, bots and other malicious threats your privacy and confidential details such as chat history or login and password may be compromised. It will not stop there and keep on spreading virus to other IM clients. Let's see how to get rid of the viruses. * MSN Virus Remover Software * MSN Fix * Clean Virus MSN * MSN Virus Cleaner * MSN Cleaner The contact of infected MSN Messenger would receive a file from the his or her friend, a file attachment that looks like a photo, image, graphic, picture or collection of photos in ZIP archive format, or a link or URL that will download a file. The files come as executable code that contains a virus. Once you open the file the virus gets installed in your system. When the virus attacks your PC its spreads to your Windows Live Messenger or MSN Messenger. The user might encounter problems such as unable to surf anti-virus website, PC automatically shuts off, cannot launch or run any programs, etc. The anti-virus are the first line of defense. However there are specialized tools MSN or Windows Live Messenger virus remover. Take a look at the list of MSN virus removal utilities available for free download. These do no provide real time protection and can be useful only when you have infected, or you have chances of getting infected with the virus. MSN Virus Remover (MSNVirusRemoval) Software msn-virus-remover It is capable of removing different strains of common MSN viruses. Download MSN Fix msnfix This is a batch script that can detect and remove several types of MSN and Windows Live Messenger virus. Download Clean Virus MSN cleanvirusmsn This is a free disinfection tool which detects and deletes currently circulating MSN Messenger viruses. Download MSN Virus Cleaner msn-virus-cleaner MSN Virus Cleaner by Codemaster is a tool to clean and remove any MSN threats that includes worms and viruses from MSN or Windows Live Messenger. Download MSN Cleaner msncleaner This free utility detects and elemination of all forms of malware which is transmitted via MSN Messenger and Windows Live Messenger.

How to Twitter using IM on Linux and Windows

Many like to twitter using IM (Instant Messenger) because it is very simple and fast to tweet and simple to get continuous updates on your topics of interest. In the good old days Twitter used to provide IM support. You could use any Instant Messenger supporting Jabber (XMPP protocol) to connect to Twitter buddy (twitter@twitter.com) on Gooogle GTalk server and twitter to your hearts content. For several months however Twitter has stopped supporting IM. How can we satiate our twitter crush during their downtime? There is a way. Somsaks from Thailand created Microblog-Purple which allows you to use Pidgin Instant Messenger (supports all popular IM protocol) to receive twitter updates on IM as well as send your tweets. It works on both Windows & Linux variants. You can download it here. Microblog Purple is available with an installer on Windows. So installing it on Windows is easy and I will not cover it. It is available as .deb file (installable binary) for Debian Linux variants like Ubuntu which again is easy to install. Linux users have to compile from the source code and install it manually. I am using it on Fedora Linux after some help from Sugree and quite some effort on my part primarily because installation on Linux is not documented at all. How to Twitter using Pidgin on Linux 1. First ensure that you have the latest version of pidgin. On Fedora Core I used the following command: yum –enablerepo=development update pidgin 2. Download the source code in a directory and cd there from console 3. Type the following to compile the code: make 4. Then you need to install it. To do that first login as superuser (using su) and then execute in the same directory: make install 5. Restart pidgin and go to Account->Manage Accounts and click on Add. 6. Choose Twitter as the protocol and provide your Twitter login & password. Choose to remember the password. 7. Now you should see a new group called Twitter with twitter.com as the user 8. You can chat with the new twitter.com account to send your tweets as well as receive tweets from the people you are following.

System Requirements

Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, 7