Privacy and Instant Messaging

1
Privacy and Instant Messaging

• The Pantagraph
• April 22, 2002 March 2003

2
Instant Messaging (IM)

• Method of sending brief messages by AOL, Yahoo,
  or Microsoft
• IM dialog boxes with messages pop up on the
  screen
• Able to detect when someone is hooked up to the
  Internet
• Messages can be sent back and forth instantly

3
Instant Messaging (Cont.)

• Historically used by individuals for private
  chats
• Now being used in businesses (2001 20 of
  instant messaging business based (50 expected by
  2004)
• 2.3 billion IM minutes in Sept. 2000 to 4.9
  billion minutes in Sept. 2001
• No encryption built in

4
IM Problems for Business

• No central repository - unlike e-mail, IM
  communications are not automatically saved
• Some believe IM is a major source of information
  leaks in business
• Cyberslacking another use of computers that
  interferes with conducting business
• No known instances so far of disciplinary action
  for IM abuse.

5
Problems of Financial Institutions

• Financial services industry is required by
  financial regulators to save ALL communications
  with clients for auditing
• FaceTime software can monitor and archive all IM
  traffic
• Saves all messages
• Monitors for use of key words
• Must be installed within the institutions
  computer network

6
IM Monitoring

• IM monitoring software catches all IM
  communications