Safe chat using Google's chat client

Dec 27, 2006 15:29 GMT  ·  By

Google Talk is an instant messaging client provided by Google that allows you to chat with your friends using VoIP and text technologies. Google Talk is based on XMPP protocol, the same as Jabber servers, and was first released in August 24, 2005.

Since its release date, Google Talk remained a simple chat client, totally different from the products developed by its rivals that include a huge number of features.

Yesterday, one of the company representatives announced that Google plans to make Google Talk a real VoIP client, adding more features that will increase the popularity of the service.

Even if the program is in low-development stages, many users are connected to the service because they like the simple way for chatting provided by Google Talk.

So, especially for Google Talk users, do you know how to protect yourself when you are connected to Google Talk? The answers are so many, but Google published the most important ones: "don't give out your password, or any other personal information, while talking to other people - even if you're friends! Google representatives will never ask for your password. Only allow people you know to add you to their Friends lists. Whenever someone wants to add you as a friend, you'll receive an email invitation or a notification at the top of your Friends list. Once you allow someone to add you as a friend, he or she will be able to see your availability status."

Many users asked themselves if they can receive viruses through a chat windows opened in Google Talk. Google says it's impossible, but the company also advises you to avoid clicking on malicious links that are sent to you by unknown users or to refuse to download anonymous files.