Actually, if he was half way competant, that is the first line of defense. I do not deny that. But we were getting hacked by 5th graders when I worked for the schools! No, they could not hack our administrator accounts, but you should see what they did to the teacher ones!

The High school kids hacked the administrator ones.

anytime you convrse with someone via IM, it is an open door.

Does this mean I would have to be in contact with the hacker? Sorry to be so obtuse, I'm just curious.

Our IT guy tried to deny me access to programs I needed for my job that my supervisor wanted on my computer. He just doesn't like change...

Assuming malicious code doesn't already exist on your network, then yes - the code/script must be delivered from an external source and this requires a connection between your machine and that of the machine serving the code/script.

Operate on a default deny basis, inviting only trusted sources to see and contact you.

And since the Bank of India was just hacked for that purpose, you can never be completely safe and comfortable with it.

If the computer does not belong to you then you are to do exactly what the owner says to do with it! No matter what you think or may find out - it is the fact that security is in place and rules are made to be followed.
We just this last month fired 3 more employees for failing to use their company computers correctly. All 3 had gotten a virus and it was due to personal use of IM and personal emails. My company has a zero tolerance for improper use of computers. Proper and improper use is set out in a guideline which you have to read and sign that you completely understand you are agreeing to it. Otherwise you will be terminated immediately upon any type of failure to do so by any means.

It is sad company's have to do such things to ensure their security on the net. But I've looked at what has happened to people in the past. Which did not follow those rules and they caused all kinds of very bad problems for security. Thus I must agree with what those guidelines say and follow them to the letter.

If your company needs you to use such a messaging application then they will install a network type of messaging program. But would it not be easier to use a phone? Or for that matter an intercom?

Company emails are sent via share point server where I work and it is the best way to get any good message to anyone anywhere. Due to the fact that a lot of the people I email via this system has a blackberry phone and will get the email asap!!!

Good luck and be careful there - you could get a virus or pickup something on your computer and loose your job because of it.

It is not worth it~!!!

SGT