Which im is secure

Check out the latest Insider stories here. More from the IDG Network. How to Rope In Rowdy Technologies. Messaging Matters.

Instant Messaging Security Tools. Related: Data and Information Security. In addition, many IM vendors have added non-chat-related features that open up the IM client software to the Internet and potentially increase its vulnerability to attack.

Finally, a number of IM systems are vulnerable to account hijacking or spoofing. Such vulnerabilities could allow an attacker to hijack another user's IM account and impersonate that user in conversations with others. Alternatively, an attacker could potentially crack the poorly secured password files stored on the desktop computer by many IM systems and use these passwords to hack into other corporate systems, since users often use the same password on multiple systems.

Such a firewall can help to block usage of unapproved IM programs and potentially prevent attacks to and from these systems. Establish a corporate IM usage policy; encourage users not to send confidential information over public IM systems.

Deploy private corporate IM servers if possible to isolate your corporate messaging systems from the outside world. IM systems are rapidly working their way into corporations because of their efficiency and convenience. Unfortunately, few companies have standardized on any particular IM system, leaving users to choose for themselves and potentially compromise security within the organization.

Many of today's IM systems were built for consumer chatting rather than secure corporate communications. Consequently, they create new and often hidden vulnerabilities within the corporation.

For these reasons, we advise corporations to create and implement a strategy to fully reap the benefits of IM systems, while reducing their exposure to security attacks.

Here are the latest Insider stories. More Insider Sign Out. Sign In Register. Bespoke cryptography Encryption not enabled by default Data not protected, not all data protected.

Worldwide rollout on-going, unsure of exact locations, most likely Google Cloud regions. UK and potentially all jurisdictions, given it's a decentralised messaging platform. Messages: Worldwide uses de-centralised servers Attachments: Centralised server in Canada.

Yes Difficult to assess given the app is integrated into Google's greater ecosystem. Yes Difficult to assess given the app is integrated into Apple's greater ecosystem.