Even if you don’t personally utilize Instant Messaging, Video Chat services, or some sort of chat applications on the web, you likely will not need to look far to find someone who does. If you have middle-school or above aged children in your home, it’s highly likely that such services are used in your home.

Some instant messaging platforms include AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, Yahoo IM, MSN IM, Google chat, Skype, Jabber, and IRC just to name a few of the larger ones. Many of these also incorporate the ability for users to take advantage of video and voice chat as well.

With an always-on, high speed data connection what is there not to like about the ability to chat, talk, or share content with friends, family, and loved ones any time of the day. Such tools provide a great way for us to easily keep in touch and share with those we care about. Prior to setting up your account and installing the service, there are several considerations you may want to make.

• Protect your identity – While the vast majority of these services are free, you are typically required to register and build a “profile”. Be sure to carefully read the terms of service and privacy policy on whatever platforms you choose. Also make sure you know what information is visible and available for reference to others. While you may be comfortable with family or close friends knowing certain things about you or your personal life, the “stranger” that you exchange IM names with in-game, on a forum, or elsewhere may not be someone you are comfortable with having access to the same information.
• Incoming files – Most of the IM platforms and several “group chat” platforms like IRC (Internet Relay Chat) provide mechanisms for transferring files. This is extremely handy if you want to exchange photos of a recent event with a family member or maybe even pass a large spreadsheet or presentation document to a co-worker. The same precautions taken with files received via email or the web should be exercised in this medium. Be sure you know and trust the sender. Only open files if you know what they contain, and it’s never a good idea to exchange or run executable files from others.
• IM “Spam” – Just like in email, Instant message clients are also targeted for unsolicited communications. These contacts are harvested and perpetrated in much the same way as email spam targets (aggregated form website, “randomly” generated dictionary attacks, etc.). As such, the best response is to just close any window from an unknown sender and report the username to that service’s abuse contact. Often these messages will contain links to a website. No matter how tempting, do not open these links. Often the sites will contain malicious code that will infect your machine, or at a minimum you may be generating advertisement revenue for the individual or group perpetrating this behavior.
• Online predators – Unfortunately, the same “anonymity” that a well educated and careful user is afforded in many social mediums is also extended to those with less honorable or innocent intentions. This anonymity allows predators to project whatever image they want to a victim and often allows them to gain trust and possibly get more personal information than that victim would normally give out. Children or teens are very susceptible to these types of ploys and parents should be very cautious about their “buddy list” and provide constant scrutiny to their children online activities. Make sure that any minors that use your PC are educated as to what information is and is not safe to provide, make attempts to monitor and restrict their contact lists, and if you do find that your child’s safety appears to have been compromised online, do not hesitate to contact the site’s abuse department and even local law enforcement if you feel there may be an imminent threat to you or your child.