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IM threats can be minimised with good online security practices

Web developments have seen instant messaging (IM) technology develop and gain popularity very fast over the last few years and now this sort of communication is in wide use.

However, the increased popularity has also seen IM become popular among another group of people with ill intentions - cyber crooks - says Ajay Verma of Symantec India.

In an article in Express Computer, the online security expert lists worms, trojan horses, password stealing and impersonation, privacy intrusion and SPIM, the IM version of spam as some of the online threats besieging the platform

While these threats have potential to cause internet security nightmares for many organisations and individuals, Verma states that adopting measures such as installing IM security tools can minimise the threats.

As well as educating employees on good online security practices, he recommends installation of desktop anti-virus and firewall programs, which "can guard against threats by blocking an attachment or cleaning an infected file".

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