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ICQ and chat safety
The internet offers people the chance to communicate with others that they normally would not associate with. Before the Internet came along, it was too costly to talk to someone over seas for long periods of time over the phone, yet now people can type away and use voice and even video chats with anyone anywhere in real time for the cost of being connected to the internet.
Instant messenger type programs like ICQ and MSN etc are wide spread, and because of this, hackers who find new holes all the time, are constantly exploiting them. The icq client has made a lot of progress in becoming more security friendly, but still has small holes that are easily exploitable eg the ability to add people without authorization. In addition, the ability to see the other peoples ip numbers in most instances. For more information on icq security and how to configure the latest icq program (each program is different so I wont try and explain when the icq site has done a great job already!!), have a look here:
http://www.icq.com/support/security/
If you want a client for icq that is stable and does not show your ip as easily as icq can, you may want to try the open source icq clone called Miranda, I personally use it and have found it a better program then icq itself (as far as security is concerned). Miranda also does MSN as well so you don't need two programs. You can download Miranda icq clone here
http://miranda-icq.sourceforge.net/
MSN and AIM recently have appeared in various vulnerability newsgroups etc MSN had a vulnerability allowing remote hackers to take control of a victims computer using a malicious script on a webpage, and AIM had a denial of service problem allowing a remote hacker to crash the AIM client by sending a large message with malicious data. To make sure you are safe from these sorts of problems always download the latest versions of the instant messenger software.
Keeping an eye on the kids
The best way to monitor who the children are talking to and what they are saying is to sit right next to them, but often this isn't practical. The solution to this problem is to install a secret internet monitor type program, a very good example can be found here click here
If your children use icq then you may want to try ICQr from headstrong software
http://www.headstrong.de/
This program is used by law enforcement agencies and private investigators to extract hidden information out of people's icq .dat files. You will be able to see whom your child has on his or her contact list plus you will be able to get their icq password.
You can also use a hex editor to read your child's icq .dat files, you can read messages sent and received. This is not hard but should only be attempted if you know a bit about computers.
Tips for safe chatting
People don't think twice about talking to strangers on the internet. In addition, just like in real life, there are a lot of dangers associated with this practice.
1) Never let your children use a chat room or instant messenger without parental supervision. Children can often be naive and trusting of others. A lot of unwholesome people realise this and will prey on youngsters looking in teen chat rooms and other areas.
2) Don't give out details that may allow a stranger to track you or your children down. You may innocently enough tell someone that your children play a specific park, or go to a certain school. Little things like this can be dangerous. All the security software in the world cannot protect your family if you have accidentally opened your mouth too much.
3) Don't put up with perverts; if someone is being smutty in a chat room use the ignore option or pretend your in charge and tell them to tone it down. If you are being harassed nothing works better then pretending you are some sort of administrator and telling them that there isp has been contacted etc even if its not true, if you say it like you mean it, it will deter most losers.
4) Don't accept files from people you don't know or people you don't trust. The most common way remote access trojans are sent is via instant messenger programs or irc. These two ways have the advantage over any other method because the hacker already has your ip number and can immediately connect once you have run the file.
5) Don't use webcam chat when others are in the room. In addition, don't leave a webcam uncovered in a bedroom. There are backdoors in some versions of icuii that allow a remote hacker to actually spy on a victim. I was involved in making this exploit public but not before the perverts had spied on thousands of innocent victims.
6) Use sensible passwords. It's not hard to guess most peoples passwords because they are either to short or to personal. It may not seem important to you now, but if someone took over your icq and sent all your friends trojans, pretending to be you, then you would feel a lot differently about it then.
The internet is as safe as any public place; if you keep this in mind and take adequate precautions then you will be ok. If you wouldn't do something in a public place, then don't do it online.
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