AIM encryption

[Force Flow]

A friend of mine gave me this link. Does it have any merit, or is it basically just "do nothing" software"?

http://www.aimencrypt.com/

Have you been wondering what those locks next to peoples screen names are? That means they have an encryption certificate, you can obtain one for free by following the tutorial. AIM is known to not have the best security, or any for that matter. If someone on your network is using a "packet sniffer" or other type of traffic analyzing tool they can see your AIM conversations and read them word for word. AIM Security using SSL Certificates makes your conversation appear much like trash to anyone analyzing what you type much like "Sw43jg73js7HSkg8Skeq3k65" instead of "Hello Friend". This certificate encodes the message so only the sender and the receiver can read the message. But still please use common sense and don't send credit card numbers, etc. over IM, this should only make you about "this" much safer on the internet, and make you feel cool having a padlock next to your name.

[doctorgonzo]

I don't know about the merits of that software, but yes, it is possible to encrypt IM traffic, and in general I think it is a good idea. You don't run around shouting your conversations for the world to hear when you are speaking to other people; why do that on the web?