Instant messaging systems allow users to exchange files. Current systems transfer files directly between peers rather than through the server, as with text messaging. In other words, the peer-to-peer scheme is used to eliminate the high bandwidth demands that server-centric file transfers would place on the provider’s network. Currently, none of the major instant messaging systems encrypt files transferred between instant messaging clients. While the files do not directly flow through instant messaging servers, they may flow over the Internet, over a corporate LAN or WAN, or over both. If both users are on the same company network, file transfers will likely remain on the corporate network; however, if one of the users is outside the network, files will be sent unencrypted over the Internet.

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

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