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Good Open Source, Multi-Platform, Secure IM Client?

Posted by Soulskill on from the real-time-tps-report-updates dept.

Phil O. writes "I work for a company with 30+ locations across North America. Some offices have hundreds of employees; some only a dozen. We're looking for a secure, multi-platform IM client we could implement across the organization. One group is pushing for Microsoft's solution, but it has a number of drawbacks (including cost). What other options are out there, and what has worked well in similar situations? Security is a big concern for the company."

8 of 308 comments (clear)

  1. Anonymous Coward by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Jabber server, pidgin clients, and http://pidgin-encrypt.sourceforge.net/ for security. Really it's a shame this even made it to slashdot. Can't anyone google anymore?

    1. Re:Anonymous Coward by Chris+Acheson · · Score: 5, Informative

      OTR is more secure that pidgin-encryption, and works with other IM clients as well.

      --
      AEIOU: open-source anonymous internet currency
  2. Openfire + Spark by mackil · · Score: 5, Informative

    We use the Openfire server (www.igniterealtime.org) with the Spark client over several offices in different states and over 3 different platforms. SSL is available as well (which we use).

    So far no problems beyond user error. I'd recommend it.

  3. Any XMPP Client by infinityxi · · Score: 5, Informative

    I would go about your problem by first separating the client from the actual protocol. If you are worried about cross platform I would of course go with an XMPP solution. You can do the following:

    - Run an OpenFire server Here
    - Pick from a slew of XMPP clients but I would problem pick the Spark IM Client (Same people as the OpenFire software)

    This way you don't have to worry about Client A working with Protocol B across Windows/Linux/Mac.

    Using XMPP is also an easy way to control your IM facilities as you can create an organizational system for creating names such as using email addresses as screen names and not have to worry about Bob from Accounting using PiMpMaSta23.

    I would evaluate OpenFire and the Spark IM client and see if it fits. The server is very easy to set up and administer. You can also use Pidgin or Psi as XMPP clients although I think Spark is the most professional looking of the three.

    --
    Turn based strategy game that runs over XMPP. Phalanx
  4. You'll need a server, too by Yosho · · Score: 5, Informative

    Everybody is saying "Pidgin", but a client won't do you any good without a server to connect to, and if you really care about being secure, you shouldn't trust any third-party server that is publicly accessible.

    You should probably set up your own Jabber server; I recommend Openfire, which is open source, easy to install, and pretty powerful. It is possible to mandate that all clients must use encryption to connect, which will do a pretty good job of keeping things secure, and you can use any XMPP client that supports encryption. If you don't want even the server to be able to read your messages, as others have suggested, installing an OTR plugin for your client is the way to go.

    --
    Karma: Terrifying (mostly affected by atrocities you've committed)
  5. Re:skype by Zsub · · Score: 5, Informative

    Skype? Since when is Skype secure man?! Have you read Slashdot?

  6. Re:Sametime by enharmonix · · Score: 5, Informative

    We use sametime at my office and it's just like any other IM client I've used. Two points of note - it offers encrypted chats, and the collaboration tools (screensharing, etc.) work better than Microsoft's Messenger products. I don't doubt, however, that OSS can compete with this - I'd only go ST if you're already using Lotus Notes.

  7. Re:jabber by Macrat · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a jabber server with ssl ready to go.

    http://wikis.sun.com/display/CommSuite/Sun+Java+Communications+Suite+Information