Many people complain to me that I hardly come online on the major Instant Messenger networks. I admit it. The real time interactivy of Instant Messengers is very attractive. I know many home business users like to use it because it’s easy, everyone is on it and you can get answers and support quickly from your peers since working from home, we can’t pop into our colleague’s cubicle to ask an opinion so the Instant messenger is the next best thing.

I’ve said this before and I’m going to say it again (and again and again if I have to). If you must use instant messengers please be fanatical about your computer system’s security. Last week, my husband received a link to a web page that came from one of his instant messenger buddies (the buddy had no idea about this). Well, the web page contained malicious code that installed a terribly annoying unwanted piece of software on his computer. Thankfully we didn’t have to do anything drastic to remove it.

But what about you? What would you do if these nastywares installed itself on your computer when you are visiting a link you thought your VA sent you? What if it is not just an annoying software but a nasty virus? Even if you do backup regularly (and you should) think about down time to get your computer back up and running. Down time = money.

Besides all these threats, Instant Messengers are very open. It’s like having a conversation at a busy sidewalk cafe. Do you really want to discuss your business plans and more sensitive things like that in the open? So wean yourself off Instant Messengers. But what are the alternatives?

Unfortunately, email isn’t much better. If you have to discuss sensitive issues with your VA or business partners, try a secure and private forum where access is restricted. It’s probably better this way too because you have an archive of the discussion. Use a private and secured web conference room or how about the old but trusty telephone? Take away – try not to use Instant Messengers for your business communication.