The latest version of AOL Instant Messenger introduces secure instant messages, as AOL attempts to improve its appeal to businesses America Online released on Monday an updated version of its AOL Instant Messenger service that offers client-to-client encryption. AOL is partnering with VeriSign to provide the feature in AIM 5.2, as the new consumer client is called. Encryption costs $9.95 (£6.03) a year for individuals, but AOL also sells certificates in bulk to companies.
As part of the encryption feature, AOL also introduced version 2.0 of its AIM Enterprise Gateway. The product enables corporate technology systems to decode encrypted AIM messages leaving a company's servers. This lets information technology departments log and archive all IM messages. Industries such as financial services are governed by rules that require IM conversations to be monitored and archived. The AOL gateway will continue to use technology from FaceTime Communications.
View: AIM
News source: ZDNet (UK)
