Instant messaging technology ( IM ) is an online chat type that offers real-time text transmission over the Internet. LAN messenger operates in the same way through a local area network. Short messages are usually transmitted between two parties, when each user chooses to complete the mind and choose "send". Some IM applications can use push technology to provide real-time text, which transmits messages character by character, as they are compiled. More advanced instant messaging can add file transfers, clickable hyperlinks, Voice over IP, or video chats.
Non-IM chat types include multicast transmissions, commonly referred to as "chat rooms," where participants may be anonymous or perhaps previously known to each other (eg collaborators on projects that use chats to facilitate communication). Instant messaging systems tend to facilitate connections between known users (often using contact lists also known as "buddy list" or "friend list"). Depending on the IM protocol, the technical architecture may be peer-to-peer (direct-to-point transmission) or client-server (Instant messaging service centers retransmit messages from sender to communication device).
In 2010, instant messaging via the Web has experienced a sharp decline, supporting messaging features on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The most popular IM platforms are closed, as AIM closed in 2017, and Windows Live Messenger merged into Skype. Currently, most instant messaging takes place in messaging apps (such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, and Viber), which in 2014 has more users than social networks.
Video Instant messaging
Overview
Instant messaging is a set of communication technologies used for text-based communication between two or more participants over the Internet or other types of networks. IM-chat occurs in real-time. What matters is that online chats and instant messages are different from other technologies like emails because of quasi-synchronized perceived communications by users. Some systems allow messages to be sent to non-signed users ( offline messages ), thus removing some differences between IM and email (often by sending messages to the associated email account).
IM enables effective and efficient communication, enabling immediate acceptance of acknowledgment or reciprocity. However IM is basically not always supported by transaction control. In many cases, instant messaging includes additional features that can make it more popular. For example, users can see each other through a webcam, or talk instantly for free over the Internet using a microphone and headphones or loudspeakers. Many apps allow file transfers, although they are usually limited in permitted file sizes.
It is usually possible to store text conversations for later reference. Instant messages are often recorded in the local message history, making them similar to the nature of persistent email.
Maps Instant messaging
History
Although this term originated in the 1990s, instant messaging precedes the Internet, first appearing on multi-user operating systems such as Compatible Time Sharing System (CTSS) and Multiplex Information and Computing Services (Multics) in the mid-1960s. Initially, some of these systems were used as notification systems for services such as printing, but were quickly used to facilitate communication with other users coming into the same machine. As the network evolves, the protocol spreads with the network. Some use peer-to-peer protocols (eg talk, ntalk and ytalk), while others ask peers to connect to the server (see speaker and IRC). The Zephyr Notification Service (still used in some institutions) was discovered at the MIT Athena Project in the 1980s to allow service providers to locate and send messages to users.
Along with instant messaging is the initial online chat facility, the earliest being Talkomatic (1973) on the PLATO system, which allows 5 people to chat simultaneously on a 512x512 plasma screen (5 lines of text 1 status line per person). During the phenomenon of bulletin boards (BBS) that culminated during the 1980s, some systems incorporated chat features similar to instant messaging; Freelancin 'Roundtable is one of the prime examples. The first commercial online chat service (as opposed to PLATO, which is educational) was CompuServe CB Simulator in 1980, created by CompuServe Alexander executive "Sandy" Trevor in Columbus, Ohio.
The initial instant messaging program is primarily real-time text, where characters appear when typed. This includes the Unix "talk" command line program, which was popular in the 1980s and early 1990s. Some BBS chat programs (ie Celerity BBS) also use a similar interface. Modern application of real-time text also exists in instant messaging, such as AOL Real-Time IM as an optional feature.
In the second half of the 1980s and into the early 1990s, the Quantum Link online service for Commodore 64 computers offered user-to-user messages between simultaneous subscribers, which they called "On-Line Messages" (or OLM for short), and then "FlashMail." (Quantum Link then becomes America Online and makes AOL Instant Messenger (AIM, discussed later). While Quantum Link client software runs on Commodore 64, using only PETSCII graphical text from Commodore, the screen is visually split into sections and OLM will appear as the yellow bar marked "Message From:" and the sender's name along with the message at the top of whatever the user has done, and presented a list of options to respond so that it can be considered a graphical user interface (GUI) type, though much more primitive than IM GUI software based on newer Unix, Windows and Macintosh, OLM is a so-called Q-Link "Service Plus" which means they charge per minute over monthly fees Q-Link access fees.
The modern and Internet-based GUI-based messaging client as it is known today, began taking off in the mid-1990s with PowWow, ICQ, and AOL Instant Messenger. Similar functionality was offered by CU-SeeMe in 1992; although especially audio/video chat links, users can also send text messages to each other. AOL later acquired Mirabilis, author of ICQ; a few years later ICQ (then owned by AOL) was awarded two patents for instant messaging by the US patent office. Meanwhile, other companies are developing their own software; (Excite, MSN, Ubique, and Yahoo!), each with its own protocol and client; Therefore the user must run multiple client applications if they want to use more than one of these networks. In 1998, IBM released IBM Lotus Sametime, a product based on the technology acquired when IBM bought Ubique based in Haifa and Databeam based in Lexington.
In 2000, open source applications and an open standards-based protocol called Jabber were launched. This protocol is standardized as Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP). The XMPP server can act as a gateway to other IM protocols, reducing the need to run multiple clients. Multi-protocol clients can use popular IM protocols by using additional local libraries for each protocol. IBM Lotus Sametime's release in November 2007 added IBM Lotus Sametime Gateway support for XMPP.
In 2010, social network providers often offer IM capabilities. Facebook Chat is a form of instant messaging, and Twitter can be regarded as an instant Web 2.0 messaging system. Similar server-side chat features are part of most dating websites, such as OKCupid or PlentyofFish. The spread of smartphones and similar devices in the late 2000s also led to increased competition with conventional instant messaging, by making text messaging services more general.
Many instant messaging services offer video calling, voice over IP and web conferencing services. The web conference service can integrate video calling and instant messaging capabilities. Some instant messaging companies also offer desktop sharing, IP radio, and IPTV to voice and video features.
The term "Instant Messenger" is a Time Warner service mark and may not be used in software that is not affiliated with AOL in the United States. For this reason, in April 2007, an instant messaging client previously named Gaim (or gaim) announced that it would be renamed "Pidgin".
2010s: Messaging app replaces IM
In 2010, more people started using messaging apps like WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook Messenger, and Line instead of instant messaging like AIM. For example, WhatsApp was founded in 2009, and Facebook was acquired in 2014, which by that time already had half a billion users.
Client
Each modern IM service generally provides its own client, either separately installed software, or browser-based client. This usually works only on the same IM network, although some allow limited functionality with other services. A third-party client software application exists that will connect with most major IM services.
Interoperability
The standard complementary instant messaging app offers functions like file transfer, contact list (s), the ability to hold multiple simultaneous conversations, etc. This may be all the functionality that a small business needs, but larger organizations will require more sophisticated applications that can work together. The solution to find an application capable of doing so is to use the enterprise version of the instant messaging app. These include titles like XMPP, Lotus Sametime, Microsoft Office Communicator, etc., which are often integrated with other enterprise applications such as workflow systems. The company's application, or enterprise application integration (EAI), is built to some extent, that is storing data in a common format.
There are several attempts to create an integrated standard for instant messaging: IETF Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and SIP for Instant Message Instant Messaging and Instant Messaging (SIMPLE) Extensions, App Exchange (APEX), Instant Messaging and Presence Protocol (IMPP), open Extensible Messaging and XML-based Presence Protocol (XMPP), and the Open Mobile Alliance Instant Messaging and Attendance Service developed specifically for mobile devices.
Most attempts to generate unified standards for major IM providers (AOL, Yahoo! And Microsoft) have failed, and each continues to use its own proprietary protocol.
However, while discussions at IETF stalled, Reuters signed the first inter-service provider connectivity agreement in September 2003. This agreement allows AIM, ICQ and MSN Messenger users to talk with Reuters Messaging peers and vice versa. After this, Microsoft, Yahoo! and AOL approves an agreement whereby users of Microsoft Live Communications Server 2005 will also have the possibility to talk to public instant messaging users. This agreement sets SIP/SIMPLE as the standard for protocol interoperability and establishes connectivity costs for accessing public instant messaging groups or services. Separately, on October 13, 2005, Microsoft and Yahoo! announced that in Q3 of 2006 they will operate using SIP/SIMPLE, which was followed in December 2005 by AOL and Google's strategic partnership agreement where Google Talk users will be able to communicate with AIM and ICQ users provided they have an AIM account.
There are two ways to combine many different protocols:
- Combine different protocols within the IM client application.
- Merge many different protocols inside IM server applications. This approach moves the task of communicating with other services to the server. The client does not need to know or care about other IM protocols. For example, IM Public IM Connectivity 2005. This approach is popular on XMPP servers; however, the so-called transport project has the same inverse engineering difficulties as other projects involved with protocols or closed formats.
Some approaches allow organizations to deploy their own private instant messaging network by allowing them to restrict access to servers (often with IM networks completely behind their firewalls) and manage user permissions. Other corporate messaging systems allow registered users to also connect from outside the corporate LAN, using encrypted, firewall-friendly HTTPS-based protocols. Typically, dedicated enterprise IM servers have several advantages, such as a pre-populated contact list, integrated authentication, and better security and privacy.
Certain networks have made changes to prevent them from being used by multi-network IM clients. For example, Trillian must release some revisions and patches to allow its users to access MSN, AOL, and Yahoo! network, once the changes are made to this network. The major IM providers usually mention the need for formal agreements, and security issues as reasons for making these changes.
The use of proprietary protocols means that many instant messaging networks are not compatible and users can not reach users on other networks. It may have enabled social networking with IM and text messaging features an opportunity to gain market share at the expense of IM.
IM language
Users sometimes use Internet slang or text talk to condense words or common expressions to speed up conversations or reduce taps. Language has become widespread, with famous expressions such as 'lol' being translated into face-to-face language.
Emotions are often expressed with abbreviations, such as LOL, BRB and TTYL; each one laugh (ing) out loud, come back soon, and talk to you later.
However, some people try to be more accurate with emotional expressions over IM. Real-time reactions such as ( chortle ) ( grunt ) ( guffaw ) or ( eye-roll ) become more popular. Also there are certain standards being introduced into the main conversation including, '#' indicating the use of sarcasm in statements and '*' indicating spelling and/or grammatical errors in previous messages, followed by corrections.
Business applications
Instant messaging has proven to be similar to personal computers, email and the World Wide Web, where its adoption for use as a business communications medium is driven primarily by individual employees using consumer software at work, not by mandate or official provision by the company's information technology department. Tens of millions of consumer IM accounts used are used for business purposes by company employees and other organizations.
In response to requests for business-class IMs and the need to ensure security and legal compliance, a new type of instant messaging called "Enterprise Instant Messaging" ("EIM") was created when Lotus Software launched IBM Lotus Sametime in 1998. Microsoft followed soon after Microsoft Exchange Instant Messaging, then created a new platform called Microsoft Office Live Communications Server, and released Office Communications Server 2007 in October 2007. Oracle Corporation has also jumped into the market recently with the integrated Oracle Beehive collaboration software. Both IBM Lotus and Microsoft have introduced federations between their EIM systems and some public IM networks so employees can use one interface for their internal EIM system and their contacts on AOL, MSN, and Yahoo. In 2010, leading EIM platforms include IBM Lotus Sametime, Microsoft Office Communications Server, Jabber XCP, and Cisco Unified Presence. Industry-focused EIM platforms such as Reuters Messaging and Bloomberg Messaging also provide IM capabilities for financial services companies.
Implementing IM across corporate networks beyond the control of IT organizations creates risks and obligations for companies that do not effectively manage and support the use of IM. The Company implements archiving and security products and special security services to mitigate these risks and provide secure, secure, and productive instant messaging capabilities to their employees. IM is increasingly becoming a feature of enterprise software rather than stand-alone applications.
Product type
IM products can usually be categorized into two types: Enterprise Instant Messaging (EIM) and Consumer Instant Messaging (CIM). Enterprise solutions use an internal IM server, but this is not always feasible, especially for smaller businesses with limited budgets. The second option, using CIM provides benefits because it is cheap to implement and has little need to invest in new hardware or server software.
For enterprise use, encryption and archiving of conversations is usually considered an important feature due to security issues. There is also a bunch of open source encryption scramblers. Sometimes the use of different operating systems in organizations requires the use of software that supports more than one platform. For example, many software companies use Windows in the administration department but have software developers using Linux.
An Instant Messaging Service Center ( IMSC ) is a network element on the mobile phone network that sends instant messages. When a user sends IM messages to other users, the phone sends a message to the IMSC. IMSC stores messages and sends them to destination users when they are available. IMSC usually has a time limit that can be configured for how long it will store messages. Some companies that make many IMSCs used in the GSM world are Miyowa, Followap, and OZ. Other players include Acision, Colibria, Ericsson, Nokia, Comverse Technology, Now Wireless, Jinny Software, Miyowa, Feelingk and several others.
Sender without server
IM's main services are controlled by the companies concerned. They usually follow the client-server model when all clients must first connect to the central server. This requires the user to trust this server because messages are generally accessible by the company. Companies can be forced to disclose their user communications. Companies may also suspend user accounts for any reason. There is an instant messenger class that uses a model without a server, which does not require a server, and IM network consists only of clients. There are some messengers without servers: RetroShare, Tox, Bitmessage, Ricochet, Ring. Serverless messenger is generally safer because it involves fewer parties.
Conversation trading
The conversation trade is e-commerce through various ways of messaging:
- live chat on an e-commerce website,
- live chat in messaging app like WeChat, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp
- chatbots in messaging apps or websites
- via voice assistant
Security risks
Crackers have consistently used IM networks as vectors to convey phishing attempts, "poison URLs", and virus-infested file attachments from 2004 to the present, with over 1100 discrete attacks listed by the Security Center IM in 2004 -2007. Hackers use two methods of delivering malicious code via IM: sending viruses, trojan horses, or spyware in infected files, and the use of "socially engineered" text with a web address that persuades recipients to click on a linking URL or him to a later website downloading malicious code.
Viruses, computer worms, and trojans usually spread by sending themselves quickly through contact lists of infected users. Effective attacks using poisoned URLs can reach tens of thousands of users in a short period of time when each user's contact list receives messages that appear from trusted friends. The recipient clicks on the web address, and the entire cycle begins again. Infection can range from impairment to criminal, and becomes more sophisticated each year.
IM connections sometimes occur in plain text, making them vulnerable to wiretapping. In addition, IM client software often requires users to open UDP ports open worldwide, increasing the threat posed by potential security vulnerabilities.
Compliance risk
In addition to the threat of malicious code, the use of instant messaging in the workplace also creates the risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations governing the use of electronic communications within businesses.
In the United States
In the United States alone there are more than 10,000 laws and regulations related to electronic messaging and record retention. Better known among them are Sarbanes-Oxley Act, HIPAA, and SEC 17a-3.
Clarifications from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) were issued to member companies in the financial services industry in December 2007, stating that "electronic communications," "emails" and "electronic correspondence" may be used interchangeably and may include forms of " form like that. electronic messaging as instant messages and text messages. Changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, effective December 1, 2006, created a new category for electronic records that may be required during discovery in legal proceedings.
Worldwide
Most countries also manage the use of electronic messaging and electronic record keeping in the same way as the United States. The most common rules related to IM in the workplace involve the need to generate archived business communications to meet statutory government or judicial requests. Many instant messaging communications fall into the category of business communications that need to be archived and retrieved.
Security and archiving
In early 2000, a new class of IT security providers emerged to provide solutions to the risks and obligations faced by companies that choose to use IM for business communications. IM security providers create new products to be installed on the corporate network for the purpose of archiving, scanning content, and IM security scanning traffic moving in and out of the company. Similar to e-mail filter vendors, IM security providers focus on the risks and obligations described above.
With the rapid adoption of IM at work, demand for IM security products began to grow in the mid-2000s. In 2007, the preferred platform for the purchase of security software has become a "computer tool", according to IDC, which estimates that in 2008, 80% of network security products will be delivered through the tool.
But by 2014, the level of safety offered by instant messengers is still very bad. According to the scorecard made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, only 7 of 39 instant messengers got the perfect score, while the most popular instant messenger at the time only reached score 2 of 7. A number of studies have shown that IM services are vulnerable enough to provide user privacy.
User base
Over 100 million users
More platforms
See also
- Terms
- Environmental awareness
- Communication protocol
- Bulk collaboration
- Message-oriented middleware
- Operator message
- Social media
- Text message
- Integrated message/communication
- List
- Instant messaging client comparisons
- Instant message protocol comparison
- More
- The Shikara Code (computer worm)
References
External links
- Instant Messaging in Curlie (based on DMOZ)
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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