The promises and dangers of instant messaging

From...

May 29, 2000
Web posted at: 10:18 a.m. EDT (1418 GMT)

by Daniel Briere and Christine Heckart

(IDG) -- Time for a technology pop quiz. Which of the following does not belong?

A) OTP
B) RUT
C) B&R
D) L8R

If you chose "C," proceed to the head of the class. For those unfamiliar with these acronyms, they are just a sample of the new vocabulary being employed by avid users of instant messaging applications. These so-called "walkie-talkies" of the Internet may actually be the most useful applications within your organization after e-mail.

	MESSAGE BOARD
Internet society

Instant messaging applications such as AOL's Instant Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger and Microsoft Network's Messenger Service continue to appear on users' desktops in ever-growing numbers. They've come a long way since their inception. These improvements have made instant messaging applications very useful, and also potentially dangerous.

MORE COMPUTING INTELLIGENCE

IDG.net home page

10 awesome security utilities

Move files with AIM

Closer to an instant messaging standard

Windows an easy hacker target

Reviews & in-depth info at IDG.net

E-BusinessWorld

TechInformer

Questions about computers? Let IDG.net's editors help you

Subscribe to IDG.net's free daily newsletter for network experts

Search IDG.net in 12 languages

News Radio

Fusion audio primers

Computerworld Minute

Besides the ability to carry conversations in near real time, some instant messaging applications have features that make them fully functioning communication tools. For example, the current version of AOL's Instant Messenger lets users transfer files within the instant messaging application. This may sound like a very useful feature, but consider the security risks. While your organization spends money ensuring all e-mail is scanned for viruses and inside information, and violations of company policies, along come these free applications that create a whole new ball game.

Besides changing your view on security, these applications will also change your view of time tracking and longdistance phone calls. Many professionals, such as lawyers, track time very closely and use phone records for client billing. Now imagine a communication tool used on an impromptu basis to discuss client business that leaves no trail. How can you bill a customer for time when you have no proof to back up the billing claim? True, it may be less expensive to conduct a 15-minute conversation via instant messaging software, but if professional advice given during that exchange results in a lawsuit, it's back to "he said, she said" in the courtroom.

Despite the potential risks to company security and billable hours, instant messaging does offer IT departments some positive benefits. Instant messaging applications spread a message quickly to employees when e-mail is too slow. In the wake of the recent "ILOVEYOU" virus, consider the resource savings if your IT staff had a way of sending an instant virus alert to employees with just a few keystrokes. It can also reduce long-distance costs and improve internal company communications.

It's time to treat these applications as strategic tools. But you need to get in front of the problem. Now's the time to play with the toys and understand their usefulness, rather than looking back and wishing you had.

By the way, here are the answers to the quiz: OTP means "On The Phone," RUT means "aRe yoU There?" and L8T means "later."

How it works: Instant messaging
May 25, 2000
Is Instant Messaging good for e-commerce?
May 19, 2000
Pressure mounts for instant messaging standard
May 2, 2000
Instant messaging enters realm of online customer service
January 31, 2000
Instant messaging's war of words
January 7, 2000
Coming Soon: Wireless instant messaging
November 23, 1999
AOL, Motorola develop wireless chat
October 15, 1999

Are Web phones the next security threat?
(IDG.net)
Instant messaging: Valuable tool or distraction?
(Computerworld)
Move files with AIM
(PC World Online)
Expect instant messages everywhere
(PC World Online)
Closer to an instant messaging standard
(IDG.net)
Fine-tuning your Internet security
(Computerworld)
10 awesome security utilities
(PC World Online)
Windows an easy hacker target
(Computerworld)

AOL Instant Messenger
Tribal Voice
BeeCall
EveryBuddy -
ichat Pager

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.