Private Instant Messaging

Individuals rely on private instant messaging (IM) to ensure that conversations are not accessed by third parties. To ensure a high level of security, many people are adding encrypted instant messaging software or plug-ins to their IM provider application. Instant messaging is a quick and easy way of communicating with someone else without making a telephone call. As long as both individuals are at their computers or using a mobile device equipped with IM features, the two can chat away by typing messages to one another. The messages are sent and received as quickly as the data can fly through virtual space via the internet connection. Practically all the major email providers, including the free ones, offer IM as one of the featured services so that the option to have these types of chats is available to anyone with a computer. The only thing that an individual has to do is open an account by registering a unique username and password with the IM provider. Naturally, this is a popular way for tweens and teens to communicate with each other. But the business world also enjoys the benefits of quick communication through instant messaging.

For those in the corporate world, though, IM chats also have some pitfalls. Many businesses use various monitoring mechanisms to ensure that employees aren't sending out messages that contain privileged or confidential information, such as new product launches, innovative technologies, or the secret ingredient of a highly-guarded cookie recipe. Another concern that business management faces is the possibility that one employee will harass another through the use of IM chats. To protect the company's confidential information and avoid the possibilities of lawsuits, management is advised to develop strong instant messaging guidelines that are written down in an employee handbook. For those times when confidential information needs to be shared in a chat, management can utilize encrypted instant messaging applications to ensure as much privacy as possible.

An instant messenger client usually offers three components as part of the marketing and publicity for a private instant messaging application. These are security, authenticity, and deniability. The first component, security, means that the received message is exactly as it was sent. The receiver knows that it has not been modified by a third party, but is the exact message that the sender transmitted. The second component, authenticity, means that the receiver knows that the sender is the person he believes her to be and not a third person masquerading as the sender. The third component, deniability, means that a digital signature is not included with the message. To understand this component, it's important to know that the major IM providers attach a digital signature with each instant message a person sends using their application. Technological experts have the capability of matching a digital signature, with great accuracy, to the person who sent the message. This can be important in matters of court litigation. By using a private instant messaging feature that includes the deniability component, the sender is able to transmit a message that does not include a digital signature. With no digital signature, the message cannot be reliably traced back to the sender. The sender, if he is dishonest, can deny sending the message.

Many businesses and some other individuals, such as those involved in law enforcement or government security, often have a legitimate need for using encrypted instant messaging when sending and receiving IMs. The proprietary secrets of a company, the investigation of money-laundering schemes, and our country's national security may require that instant messages be protected from the prying eyes of a third party. The writer of Proverbs wrote about those who told things they shouldn't. He said: "A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter" (Proverbs 11:13) and "Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips" (Proverbs 20:18-19). It's easy to see that there are many reasons why a person would want to have a plug-in or application that protects the messages that are sent and received and authenticates the identification of the person with whom one is chatting.

Many IM clients offer private instant messaging plug-ins that allows even casual conversations to be encrypted. A free plug-in that can be easily downloaded, even for just a single conversation, can be utilized for impromptu privacy. For such purposes, the individuals only need to be concerned that they choose an IM client that supports the program they are using. The plug-in may simply scramble the sent messages and descramble the received messages. The encryption will be at a level that makes the messages difficult, but not impossible, to decipher. Businesses or government agencies that require a higher level of confidentiality, for either chats between employees or between employees and customers, will want to utilize the services of an IM client that can provide a top-notch level of confidentiality that includes all three components (security, authentication, and deniability). Management needs to be aware of the positive aspects of the client's product and also the limitations. For example, it may be possible for a virus or for a hacker to modify archived messages unless a specific feature is utilized to prevent such modifications. An encrypted instant messaging application that provides a high degree of security, authenticity, and deniability will be most favored by businesses and government agencies with highly valuable proprietary and top-secret information.

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