Secure use of instant messaging and chat room Software

Although Instant Messaging Tools and chat room software provide a convenient and fast way of communication between people, many security problems are indeed introduced to us.

　　Differences between multiple real-time communication tools:

Instant messaging (IM)-instant messaging tools are mostly used for entertainment. Of course, more and more companies are using instant messaging tools to communicate with employees in real time without having to run around. No matter which instant messaging tool you choose, such as QQ, MSM, or Yahoo, they provide an interface for people to communicate directly through the Internet.

Chat Room (Chat room)-whether it is a private Chat room or a public Chat room, is a tool for a group of people to communicate together. In general, many chat rooms share features. For example, a chat room creates a sharing platform for a group of people with common interests. Although most instant messaging (IM) software also provides multi-user chat functions (such as MSN), instant messaging is still a one-to-one tool in the traditional sense, chat rooms are traditional many-to-many chat devices.

Chatbots (Bots or chat robot)-chatbots are generally embedded in instant messaging tools or chat rooms, such as small I robots. Users can sometimes obtain consultation information from chatbots, such as weather forecasts, stock market quotations, and recently released movie lists. Users also clearly know that they are chatting with robots rather than real people. However, some chatbots are dedicated. They forward chat statements from other users to the current user, making the current user feel how intelligent the chatbot is, in this way, you have to answer the question of the robot.

At present, many software packages provide the Chat Robot function. At the same time, both the instant messenger tool and the chat room provide more functions.

　What are the threats?

Ambiguity of the identity of the other party-as we mentioned above, we cannot determine whether you are talking to chatbots or real people. Of course, when we chat with real people, sometimes we cannot determine his identity, and he may lie about his identity. When a user logs on to the instant messaging software, the user forgets to log off when the user leaves. This way, when others chat with you using the timer that the previous user forgot to quit, it is estimated that you will not doubt the identity of the other party. Another case is that multiple people share the same account.

Attackers cannot avoid attacks in the browser. One attack method on the network is based on the spread of trust. I think most browser users have encountered a virus that is spread through QQ. When we are chatting, suddenly, a friend "sends" a link to us, a file, or even an application. If you don't have any vigilance (based on trust in the other party) without hesitation, I clicked "Friend's Link". I think you are lucky. It has been proved that this attack spread through instant messaging or chat rooms is effective.

Someone may be listening for your current session. First, everyone knows that the current network environment is insecure. Therefore, it is possible for a malicious hacker to listen to your chat. Of course, not only hackers can listen to your chat. If you are in a company, you need to be careful. The company may install the instant messaging monitoring software on the gateway. Currently, this kind of instant messaging monitoring software is everywhere.

The host may have security vulnerabilities. Like other software, the host may also have security vulnerabilities, you can easily search for MSN or QQ security vulnerabilities or even attack code against these vulnerabilities on Google.

The default configurations of the connector may be insecure-in general, the default configurations of the connector are "open", in order to provide users with more functions or more convenient operations. However, loose security configurations make users more vulnerable to attacks.

　　How can we safely use chat tools?

Evaluate your own security configuration-check the default configuration of your chat tool to see if it is too open and check to disable the auto download function. Some Chat tools provide restrictions on someone, such as "blocking someone's messages". You can use this function on some unfriendly "friends.

When chatting, pay attention to what you say-you must know what you are talking about, whether it is irrelevant or sensitive information. For example, if you work in a company, you 'd better not talk about your company's internal information. These sensitive information may be monitored by your boss or collected by the Internet.

If necessary, be sure to confirm the identity of the other party-if you want to discuss important information with the other party, or click the link sent by the other party, or run the application sent by the other party to you, you 'd better confirm the identity of the other party and ensure that the identity of the other party is trustworthy. Of course, even if the other party is credible, if the other party sends you a link or an application, it is best to ask whether the other party has performed a link or Application Operation for you, if the computer of the other party is being infected by viruses, some of the above operations may not be performed by the other party.

Keep your trust in your chat information. Do not trust your comments or suggestions from others when you are in a chat room or are using instant messaging. Make sure that your suggestions are correct before you take them.

Update your tool in time-as mentioned above, chat tools may have security vulnerabilities. Therefore, to reduce the hazards caused by vulnerabilities, make sure that your tool version is up to date. Of course, it is not just your chat tool, but your browser and even the operating system must be updated in a timely manner.