Instant Messaging is a form of real-time communication between users online. It allows users to see if contacts are available and chat with them instantly. While early instant messaging predated the internet on multi-user systems in the 1960s, it grew popular in the 1990s following predecessors like internet relay chat and multi-user dungeons. Instant messaging uses a client-server model where clients communicate with a server to locate other users and exchange encrypted messages. While useful for social and work communication, instant messaging poses security risks if not properly configured within an organization.

1. Instant Messaging
Pankaj Gamit (120423116003)
Prepared By:
Pankaj Gamit
4rd
year I.T
Enrollment No.120423116003
Guided By:
Prof. Hiren Vavaiya
SARVAJANIK COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Dr. R. K. Desai Road, Athwalines, Surat – 395 001,
Gujarat, India
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT

2. What is Instant Messaging?
 Today, Instant Message is widely applied. By this
kind of software, people who log online can get
response in a short time after sending message which
is a way to real-time communication and chatting.
 For most people, it is cheaper than chatting by
telephone; furthermore, the newest IM software
integrated data transmission, voice chatting, video
conference, e-mail and so on. Some analysts call IM
as “real-time e-mail.” For enterprises, IM exploits
new area for web-services.
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3. History about IM
 Instant messaging predates the Internet, first
appearing on multi-user operating systems
like Compatible Time-Sharing System
(CTSS) and Multiplexed Information and
Computing Service (Multics) in the mid-
1960s. Initially, some of these systems were
used as notification systems for services like
printing, but quickly were used to facilitate
communication with other users logged in to
the same machine.
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4.  Instant messaging first began to become popular in
the mid 90’s following its predecessors IRC’s
(internet relay chat) and MUD’s (Multi User
Dungeons) footsteps. IRC is an older program,
which is still in use today, which is “a small
program that allowed users to communicate on
hundreds of servers dedicated to just about every
topic imaginable” Similarly, MUD’s is a interactive
role playing chat program that allows people to
communicate with each other in an interactive
virtual community.
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5. INSTANT MESSAGING AND CLIENT-
SERVER COMMUNICATIONS
 All IM systems employee the same basic
client-server architecture. Users install instant
messaging clients on their client machines—
desktop computers, wireless devices, or
PDAs, for example—and these clients
communicate with an IM server in the
messaging provider’s infrastructure to locate
other users and exchange messages.
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6. INSTANT MESSAGING AND CLIENT-
SERVER COMMUNICATIONS
 INSTANT MESSAGING AND ENCRYPTION
 Instant messaging systems encrypt messages
as they travel from the client to the server and
back to the second client. This data is
potentially visible to eavesdroppers anywhere
along its Internet path or within the IM
provider’s network. Also, popular IM
systems do not encrypt peer-to-peer traffic.
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7. Continued….
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Fig 2. Basic Architecture of IM system

8. SECURING INSTANT MESSAGING IN
YOUR CORPORATION
 Instant messaging may soon become an
indispensable business tool; however, the
risks of using an unsecured IM platform in
corporations are high. This section explores
the security issues introduced with the use of
corporate instant messaging and offers best
practices that can help in deploying a secure
IM platform.
Pankaj Gamit (120423116003)

9. BASICS OF IM PROTOCOLS AND
FEATURES
 Most of the protocols for the major IM
networks are available on the Internet.
Software makers have released the protocols
or the protocols have been reverse-
engineered.
 Online user
 Presence
 availability/user mode
 contact/buddy list
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10.  Block list
 allow list
 one-to-one chat
 group chat
 chat room
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11. IM USAGE
 Much of the research into IM that is non-
work related has been based on its use by the
younger generation. This research has
focused on socialization, including social
presence and social interactions among users.
 In addition to socialization, network- related
uses of IM include event planning and
project collaboration.
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12. Pankaj Gamit (120423116003)
Fig. Average Hours Spent on IM Every
Week

13. Recommended instant messaging
client settings
 For the best security, do not use any
external IM system that does not employ a
certified Encryption system.
 Configure all IM clients so that they will
accept chat requests only from users
specified in Employees buddy lists. This
prevents attackers from connecting to
computers on the network and sending
malicious code. Only those users explicitly
specified by employees should be able to
contact them.
Pankaj Gamit (120423116003)

14. Continued…..
 Instant Messaging Provider
 AOL Instant Messenger, or AIM
 Yahoo Messenger
 MSN Messenger (Windows Live Messenger)
 Skype
 Meebo
 Facebook Chat
 iChat
 ICQ Pankaj Gamit (120423116003)

15. Advantages &
Disadvantages
 Advantages
 Easy to use
 Real Time Fast instant Response
 Contact/Buddy List
 Controlled access
 View availability Online
 Cheaper than Phonecalls
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16. Continued…
 Disadvantages
 Security risks
 Message interception
 Virus via file transfer
 Privacy concerns
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17. The Future of Instant Messaging
 The future of instant messaging is very
bright. All of the utilities described in this
article continue to be updated by their
owners, and IM providers continue to
collaborate on allowing more interfaces
between users of their services. Business
users can now have virtual conferences and
collaborate on projects very easily. If you
have not tried IM, you're missing out on a
whole new world of communication.
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