Instant Messaging Services / Chat Services

[fugitive]

I have been using chat services or Instant Messaging Services online like Yahoo Messenger, Skype, Google Chat. How secure are these services? Is it possible for anyone to trace or bug an ongoing chat or audio/video chat?

[ohhhyeaaa]

I do not know for certain however with today's technology and some top notch geeks running around the net I have no doubt that it is possible to be traced. Afterall, if you can bug and trace a phone conversation, tracing something which is written out should be simple enough for the right person.

[rosebud]

According to the source that I've read, it is possible if the hacker once hacked into your Yahoo Mail account he can gain access to your Yahoo Messenger or any chat/mail services that you use. That's why I'm extra careful of who I'm adding into my contact list.

[emma]

Also, there are copies of your conversations being kept on multiple servers around the world (I think). This would mean that whatever you are saying is not secure/secret.

[mamabear]

I asked the same question in one IT forum, and they said it can only be bugged if a keylocker, whatever that is, gains access to your computer or account.