For those of us on a student wage e.g. skint, using the telephone to talk to friends and family can be really expensive.  Shopping around to find cheaper methods of communication may sound pikey, but it could help save those valuable pennies.

Instant messaging (IM) is not only free, but it’s also one of the most popular methods of communicating with people over the net.  Its instant nature means that you can have a two way conversation in real time.  And, for the gadget lovers out there you can also plug in your webcam and see the person you are talking to - bonus!

But, like any internet based programme it does have some security and privacy risks, which the nerds at AVG have told us about.  We wanted to share them with you so you can make sure you are using IM safely.

1. Be skeptical about sharing content

Never open pictures, download files or click links in messages from people you don’t know.  Yahoo, Skype and MSN allow P2P file sharing, they work just like email attachments and similarly can carry viruses, Trojans and worms.  Be especially cautious when you receive .exe or .zip files.  Credit card details, passwords and other sensitive information should also NOT be sent via IM.

2. Be careful when you create a screen name

Each IM program asks you to create a screen name, which is similar to an email address.  Your name should not divulge any personal information e.g. email address, surname, where you live, gender etc. this can help hackers steal your identity and personal data.

3. Create a barrier against unwanted messages

Don’t list your screen name or email in public areas.  Making this information public can result in an increased number of spam and phishing attacks.  These rogue links can lead you to websites which can install spyware on your computer without you knowing.

4. Never install IM requests

Never install programmes via IM.  IM is internet based and links to programmes can still run the risk of being infected by viruses and worms.  If you do want to download plug-ins then it is much safer to download direct from the IM  website or from a verified source.

5. Don’t talk to strangers

Most messenger providers will have an Ignore User / Report as Spam feature which will help you keep out unwanted hackers from messaging you.  The default security settings within these programmes are usually set to standard protection levels, so it is definitely worth checking your control options before you start conversations to ensure you are happy with the security you have.

If all that information wasn’t enough, AVG has also put together a video on the ‘Do’s and Don’ts of IM Chat’ so why not take a look at their video?

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