A note about online chat and Skype

Most online chat is not secure unless all parties are using an encrypted chat client. Also, many chat clients automatically log your recent conversations—be sure to erase your logs and set your client not to log your chats if you are concerned about security.

Skype’s text chat is considered by security experts to be relatively secure compared to some other chat clients, but only if all parties involved in a chat session have set the software not to log their chat sessions, and also assuming all parties are using the version of Skype downloaded from the main Skype website, not the Chinese version offered in partnership with Tom Online (which is known to include spyware upon installation). Skype voice calls are more secure than calls made via landlines or mobile phones—assuming the room from which you are calling is not bugged.

Remember, there is no such thing as foolproof security. Generally, it is not advisable to conduct sensitive conversations with Chinese sources via email, online chat, Skype, or phone. To the greatest extent possible, meet in person to discuss anything serious and limit your electronic communications to logistical and non-substantive social matters.

For further information, please see a recent article posted on CNet.com: “How safe is instant messaging? A security and privacy survey” (June 9, 2008): http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-9962106-38.html.