Secure instant messaging is something to be concerned with since instant messaging has become a popular business tool for communicating with customers and suppliers as well as for collaborating with colleagues.

If youre an internet user, you are probably familiar with instant messaging such as MSN Messenger, Yahoo! Messenger, and AOL Instant Messenger, and ICQ. These are all public instant messaging tools that enable internet users worldwide to communicate back and forth online in real time using text messages.

Some of the public instant messaging programs also have video and voice capabilities. Through instant messaging, multiple people can be invited to join in on a conversation and users can even transfer files to one another instantly.

You can imagine how convenient this technology is for business communications, but as business use increases, so does the need for secure instant messaging.

Because of the confidential nature of most business transactions businesses generally are not too crazy about the idea of transmitting sensitive data and communications over the internet without proper security, authenticity and encryption.

There is definite concern about data being intercepted or viruses being exchanged when using public instant messenger programs.

Industries with highly sensitive data have moved toward the use of private, closed instant messenger programs that encrypt data and record communications as a solution for secure instant messaging.

While this is a good option for businesses to handle internal communications, it isnt necessarily a solution that will enable businesses to use instant messaging securely as a sales, customer service or technical support tool because in order to communicate through a private, closed instant messenger program, all users that are collaborating must have the specific program.

Undoubtedly, the communication, collaboration and file sharing capabilities that instant messaging presents is highly desirable for businesses. As a sales tool, instant messaging enables potential customers to ask questions and to have them answered in real time.

A sales presentation can be made via instant messaging and more than one person at a time can even be invited to join the online sales presentation. Customer service and technical support can also be provided via instant messaging and if support from a colleague or supervisor is needed in the midst of a conversation, they can be invited to join the conversation online.

Another advantage of using instant messaging technology as a sales and service tool is that the text conversations can be easily saved and referred back to as needed or archived as a permanent record of communications.

The main disadvantages of using public instant messenger programs are vulnerability due to the possibility of malware distribution through messenger programs and the potential for data leakage. Instant messaging can also be a hindrance to productivity because it is so quick, convenient and easy to contact a user of instant messaging.

This ease of instant communication can interrupt a persons work causing them to waste time online. These disadvantages lead to the concerns regarding the use of public instant messenger programs as a sales or service tool.

For an intranet or for businesses that have the same private instant messenger programs secure instant messaging is possible; but in communicating with the standard consumer through public instant messaging, that is not the case.

If you use instant messaging as a sales or service tool, be aware that you may be open to vulnerabilities and data leakage if the communications are not accomplished via secure instant messaging technology.

Because of the potential for data leakage, credit card information, proprietary data and so forth should not be exchanged via public instant messenger programs or services. If you and your customers can accept the risks of using a public instant messenger program, it really can be an incredible tool for sales and service.