Encrypting iChat Sessions

iChat is a convenient way to stay in touch with friend, family and coworkers. Although unlikely, what you type could potentially get intercepted by someone else, and your private conversation isnit quite so private any more. If you are using Tiger and you have an active .Mac account, you can encrypt your chats with other .Mac members. Hereis how:

  • Launch iChat.
  • Choose iChat > Preferences.
  • Click the Accounts button.
  • Select the .Mac account you want to secure from the Accounts list.
  • Click the Security tab.
  • Click the Enable button next to iChat encryption is disabled.


Enable iChatis encryption in the Security tab.

iChat will create a .Mac security certificate that allows you and any other .Mac member with encryption enabled to have private chats that really are private. When you chat with someone else that has an active security certificate, your session will automatically encrypt itself. Encrypted sessions show a padlock icon in the upper right corner of the chat window.

iChat secures your text, audio and video chats using 128-bit encryption, which should keep most prying eyes and ears out of your conversations.

Finding Other TMO Quick Tips
Earlier this week, a TMO reader asked where to find all of the Quick Tips weive run so far. You can find them by clicking the features link in the upper left corner or each TMO page, and then clicking the TMO Tips link. You can also click here and jump right in.