The Instant Messaging Menace: Security Problems in the Enterprise and Some Solutions

In this paper, the security threats posed by the use of consumer grade instant messaging clients in the enterprise, including privacy and identity issues, and malware and bug vulnerabilities, are discussed. A course of action to include creation or revision of written security policies, installation of antivirus protection at the gateway and on all servers and desktops, determination of requirements for secure instant messaging, and tightening of the company firewall to block consumer grade instant messaging clients is recommended.