VeriSign to secure AOL Instant Messenger

AOL is looking to combat security fears surrounding its instant messenger software through a partnership with VeriSign.

The enhanced version of instant messenger, dubbed Enterprise AIM, will issue users with secure authentication, and encrypt all the messages they send, AOL product strategy manager David Gang told Reuters.

Corporate users represent around 20 to 25 per cent of the 150 million AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) users, though security fears have discouraged many businesses from using the service.

Nick Palmer, IT manager at the construction and civil engineering company Eric Wright Group, said: "I've yet to hear a compelling argument for instant messaging. But if I did install it I'd look for something with a reasonable degree of security built into it. If you're going to have IM at all you'd need some kind of secure authentication on it."

He added: "I see IM as a security hazard, if only because of the number of bits of malware that get propagated through IM channels."

A security hole in MSN's Messenger software was revealed this week that made PCs vulnerable to hackers.

On Wednesday it emerged that computer services giant EDS had banned its employees from using instant messaging sofware.