Instant messaging (often abbreviated to IM) is a form of online communication in which users can send messages to each other in real time by typing them into their computer screens. Each person sees what the other has typed and can respond instantly. People who want to IM each other must be members of the same messaging service, such as MSN Messenger, America Online's AIM service, Yahoo Messenger or ICQ.
Instant messaging is often referred to as 'chatting', but chat rooms and IM are actually quite different systems. Chat rooms are designed for large group discussions, whereas instant messaging usually involves a conversation between two people, who must specifically invite others to join in.
In this section, we take a look at the features that instant messaging can offer, along with details of some of the most popular programs available. We also investigate some of the security and safety risks of chatting on a messenger service.
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