Yahoo Messenger - Safe?

[97tbird]

I am not much into IM'ing, etc.
I only use Skype to keep in touch with my family overseas.
Some friends of mine have been asking me to start using Yahoo msngr, but i am weary, as I don't know much about it...

Any of you guys use it? is it safe? worth it?

Thanks IA.

 

[crw]

It's fine. I've been using it for 10+ years.

Having said that, I'm disappointed in the direction that Yahoo is going, giving no support to Linux. Between Yahoo and Google, Yahoo is losing the long-term battle. It shows in the stock market, and it shows when you use their products.

 

[97tbird]

Thanks - can it be easily and safely uninstalled at any time?
any tips for safety?

 

[aquariuscsm]

Oh yeah,it`s perfectly safe. I`ve had it for as long as I can remember.

 

[crw]

Well, let's see... I don't see any trouble with installing/uninstalling. You should realize that it's an "account". You can use your Yahoo IM account in various places, with the Yahoo IM application, within a Yahoo email, or even with 3rd Party tools that use the Yahoo protocol.

For example, on Linux I use Yahoo IM with pidgin, or gyachi.

As far as safety goes... I'm not sure what the issue would be. Of course, don't list off your bank numbers on the IM. Every once in a while some idiot will actually spam the IM (Hey, come see my pics!) but this happens maybe once a month. I just ignore it.

 

[Defiance665]

Ive been using it for a long time, no problems with it. Its the only thing I use.
If you can, get version 9. I had version 10 for 2 days and went back...
Also, there is a program to get rid of the ads that show up..
Never had the spamming problem.

 

[Hermann]

I don't do any IM's or social networks. Too much risk, when your financial life is on your computer. JMO. Heck bitog is probably risky. JK

 

[uc50ic4more]

You could always use a multi-protocol instant messenger like Pidgin. It often does *not* support all of the brand spankin' new, fancy-pants features that the official clients do (like screen sharing, or "poking"), and is therefore often unaffected by whatever security concerns are present on the official clients. The added bonus is that you can consolidate all of your IM accounts into one interface. Depending on the protocol, you can still do file transfers and voice/ video.

Pidgin is available for Linux and Windows, and a Mac-native client called Adium is available, too.

 

[JustinH]

Google just started integrating IM into their gmail webmail. If you use gmail, you might want to see if they support Yahoo chat. I just uninstalled Pidgin and started using this.

Pidgin is a great open source project, very secure and no stupid ads like the others charge.

If you don't use gmail or it won't work for Y! chat, then take a look at pidgin.

You will need to setup a screenname on the yahoo site first..

 

[uc50ic4more]

Originally Posted By: JustinH
Google just started integrating IM into their gmail webmail. If you use gmail, you might want to see if they support Yahoo chat. I just uninstalled Pidgin and started using this.


IM has been integrated into Gmail (even Google Apps For Your Domain) for as long as there's been Google Talk, which has been a good while. They also support AOL's IM (AIM) but no one else at present.

 

[SLCraig]

I wish everyone would start using Google Talk instead. I love it, very nice and no frills client, just like ICQ was when it first came out. I miss stuff like that. (MSN is lame, and I think Yahoo is too)

 

[Cutehumor]

Originally Posted By: uc50ic4more
You could always use a multi-protocol instant messenger like Pidgin. It often does *not* support all of the brand spankin' new, fancy-pants features that the official clients do (like screen sharing, or "poking"), and is therefore often unaffected by whatever security concerns are present on the official clients. The added bonus is that you can consolidate all of your IM accounts into one interface. Depending on the protocol, you can still do file transfers and voice/ video.

Pidgin is available for Linux and Windows, and a Mac-native client called Adium is available, too.


I've been using Pidgin and it's fantastic. My facebook, myspace, AOL, gmail, and MSN messengers are all hooked up to pidgin. So when I sign on, it shows all my buddy lists combined. it's awesome. I dumped yahoo along time ago when they wouldn't allow a sync up with my thunderbird email, so no worries here.

 

[ddrumman2004]

I used to use Yahoo messenger some 5 to 6 years ago when I was single man.
No use for it anymore.

But I never had problem with it.