Nowadays, almost everyone carries a smart phone. Instant messaging applications (IM Apps), such as WhatsApp, LINE and WeChat, are very popular. They are able to instantly produce messages through texts or images as well as other extra features, such as location sharing services and voice messages, which bring convenience to personal or business communication.

 

IM Apps are also popular with teenager users for making new friends online. They can share or forward photos and messages among their friends. Also, they have features to look for new friends and imbed games.

 

Although IM Apps bring convenience to users, the corresponding security concerns of these kinds of Apps cannot be overlooked. For example, they require a telephone number to add new "friend" and, at the same time, reveal some acquired information from this new friend, such as personal photo and status. Marketing companies make use of this acquired information to broadcast their promotions through established message groups. As a result, the frequently broadcast marketing messages cause irritation to, and violation of privacy of, those message groups due to mere misuse of the telephone numbers installed in IM Apps. In addition, using "Shake" and "Search People Nearby" features are most likely to add strangers or even hackers into the IM Apps.

 

Below are some security tips to mitigate the risk of using these Apps:

 

(1) Users should check the privacy setting of the IM Apps to avoid adding strangers as "friends".

 

(2) Turn off mobile phone's Global Positioning System feature to avoi d other people obtaining your location.

 

(3) If a suspicious URL link is received, we should be more careful and verify it with each other personally.

 

(4) Personal information, such as birthday, salary and martial status, should not be revealed if they are not necessary; and

 

(5) Users should keep the installed IM Apps updated to minimise the risk of damages.