Trillian is an all-in-one, multipurpose IM client for Windows. It will handle all of your IM connections no matter which service they’re on, be it AOL Instant Messenger, ICQ, Microsoft MSN, Yahoo Messenger, or IRC. Most users are more than content with the basic version, which is free; others choose to shell out $25 for the Pro version. The purpose of this tip is not to sell you on Trillian (Trillian sells itself), but rather to show you how to take advantage of its secure connection feature.

The various IM services offer different degrees of security. This tip definitely works with AIM and supposedly also works with ICQ, though we haven’t tested it with ICQ (or MSN). As of this writing, neither Yahoo nor IRC connections can be secured using Trillian; but if you’re using IRC, the connection can be secured directly using an SSH tunnel (e.g. using Putty).

Steps for Securing AIM: This procedure must be followed by the users at both ends of the AIM connection, but you only need to go through it once on each side.

1. Open Preferences
2. Select “Identities and Connections”
3. Select your AIM connection
4. Click on the “Change…” button
5. Select the Miscellaneous tab
   
6. Under the SecureIM heading, check the boxes for “Activate SecureIM Capabilities” and “When possible, make a best effort to automatically maintain a SecureIM session with my contacts.” If you like, you can also check the third box (”Do not log SecureIM sessions”), but it isn’t necessary.

If both ends of the connection are properly configured, the next time you connect you’ll see a message like this:

*** yourbuddy wants to establish a SecureIM session.
*** SecureIM session established with yourbuddy.

Tip #1: If one or both ends of the connection are not properly configured, you won’t see the message above. You’ll still be connected, but the connection will not be secure.

Tip #2: If you do upgrade from Trillian Basic to Trillian Pro, install the trial version of Pro first and register it later. This is the easiest way, even if you’re already sure you want to buy and are willing to pay immediately.

Tip #3: If you’re interested in learning more about securing an IRC connection via an SSH tunnel, drop us a comment and we’ll be glad to oblige.

Download Link:

Latest Version: 3.1
Platform: Any version of Windows
Author: Cerulean Studios
Price: Free (Basic), $25 (Pro)
Download Link: www.ceruleanstudios.com/

Read more: Windows, Security