You won't see 1 single jot of surprise from me. As an Amiga user, it is what I expect from the PC world
If anyone wants to listen to the subject being discussed by 2 security experts, check show No.404
https://www.grc.com/securitynow.htm
As I have said before.
Use the network, not the client.
I don't think using an older Skype will help
Trillian can also enable various encryption routines (including Blowfish) to another compatible client over the various networks
https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Blowfish_(cipher)
Exerpt from Trillians security policy
https://www.trillian.im/policies/security/
2.1. On The Desktop
When you start Trillian on the desktop, a connection is made from your device to Cerulean's servers and authenticated with a unique Trillian username (your "Trillian Username") and password (your "Trillian Password") using our internally-developed instant messaging and presence protocol ("IMPP"). All IMPP connections are always protected with the industry standard Transport Layer Security Protocol ("TLS").
IMPP serves two purposes:
1) To expose a complete instant messaging environment including text IM, file transfers, voice and video, and visibility lists. For example, two people with Trillian can communicate using IMPP without the need for any additional third-party accounts.
2) To act as the synchronization engine between devices in the event that multiple devices are connected at the same time. For example, Trillian's continuous client feature relies on communication between your desktop and phone to keep chats in sync; this communication is done using IMPP.
Connections to third-party instant messaging service providers like Google Talk are made directly from your device to the provider you choose to connect to. Many providers now offer the option to use TLS when communicating with them, and Trillian uses TLS whenever possible.
AOL have data-mined all their traffic for many years. They were one of the first to do it.
They provide you with a tunnelled AOL version of the internet, via their own software frames for other peoples products.
eg. AOL browser and media-player are IE and MS Media Player behind an AOL mask.
They even funnel the users, by providing the AOL keywords all over their adverts.
When Google released Chrome, I immediately realised they would be able to do exactly the same as AOL, and also provide you with a carefully monitored google version of the net.
I treat all data going via Google (services and devices), AOL and MS, (whether it be web, email or IM) as regularly intercepted and scanned.
All Google, AOL and MS software have minimal security options (compared to what I am used to).
All 3 have a history of spamming the user with ads, and harvesting as much data as they can get away with.
Recently users of the real MSN client will have swapped 1 ad-infested IM program for another less functional program called Skype.
Gmail and Gchat support OTR. If you can find it, enable it.
To me as a user of Pidgin (Linux) and Trillian (Windows & web), I have had a consistent IM experience, with more security and functionality.
Recent panics and changes, have caused me only amusement
eg. anyone who did not rush to change their MSN ID into a Skype ID, will have noticed that MSN is still working, and will continue to do so.
anyone wishing to make their current IM client even more secure, should check "Off The Record" and see if there is a plugin for you.
http://www.cypherpunks.ca/otr/
https://ssd.eff.org/tech/im
