Chat/IM Types and Protocols

In this topic:

Chat Types

The Client records the following types of chat or instant messaging conversations. Click on orange text for more information.

America Online
AOL Chat accessed within the proprietary AOL interface
AIM (AOL Instant Messenger) encrypted, unencrypted, and direct connections
AIM Express, which uses a Java applet to perform AIM conversations
Dead AIM, a 3rd-party modification of AIM
ICQ ("I Seek You")
ICQ 2002, ICQ 2003, ICQ Lite
ICQ users are identified by User Identification Numbers (UIN). ICQ and AIM users are able to add each other to their contact lists.
Yahoo
Yahoo! Messenger (Yahoo! Pager or Ypager) downloaded from Yahoo.com used for instant messaging
Yahoo Chat
Yahoo Chat 2.0
Yahoo Java chat rooms
Microsoft Network
MSN Messenger an instant messaging interface downloaded from MSN
MSN Messenger using MS Exchange across a corporate network
Windows Messenger, provided as part of Windows XP (similar to MSN Messenger)
MSN Chat, the Active X control used for chat in a browser window
Skype
Text chat conversations across a Skype connection are usually recorded. Skype is a peer-to-peer Internet telephony network.
Google
Instant messaging using Google talk (Gtalk) is recorded. Google Talk instant messaging uses the XMPP open protocol, allowing communication with users of other XMPP clients.
Meebo
In-browser instant messaging program through Meebo (which supports multiple IM services, including Yahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, AIM, ICQ, and Jabber) is recorded.
MySpace
Instant Messaging at the MySpace web site is recorded.
Trillian
Trillian instant messaging programs communicate with major IM programs, allowing a user to converse with Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, and AIM users at the same time without having to install all three separate applications. All conversations are recorded. Trillian Pro encrypted conversations are NOT recorded.
IRC
Most IRC (Internet Relay Chat) Clients are recorded, as listed below. Some IRC clients use non-standard communications ports and cannot be recorded. See the Advanced Chat settings for the communications ports monitored by default.

mIRC
Trillian
ViRC

Pirch
Morpheus
XiRCON

Chat Not Recorded
The following Chat/IM interfaces are NOT recorded by Spector 360:

ICQ ToGo
ICQ Chat (Private Chat Room)
Jabber using streaming XML technology (Google Talk)
Trillian Pro encrypted communication
Netscape Messenger
Yahoo Chat 2.0 Java-based interface

Chat Protocols

A "protocol" is an agreed on method of communication used by chat and IM services. Spector 360 is able to capture and record chat using the following protocols.

AIM_EXP: AIM Express is a web-based version of AOL Instant Messenger.

AIM_HL: A "High Level" (HL) protocol of AOL Instant Messenger. Spector 360 captures the conversation directly from the Chat/IM window.

High Level (HL) Protocol
Spector 360 is able to capture conversations some, not all, chat applications and application versions at a High Level protocol. High Level means the recording shows more detail, such as Yahoo Emoticons and the HTML font being used.

AOL_HL: A "high level" (HL) protocol of AOL Instant Messenger and Chat in the actual AOL program (such as AOL 9)
IRC: Low level capture of IRC
MSN: Low level capture of MSN chat and instant messaging
MSN_HL: High level of MSN chat and instant messaging
MSN_HTTP: A separate protocol MSN uses when the ports associated with their normal low level traffic are not available; they will tunnel on port 80 (HTTP)
ICQ_HL – High level ICQ Capture OSCAR: A low level protocol used mainly by AOL for inline messaging; used by Spector 360 to capture various ICQ, AOL, and AIM conversations

Low Level Protocol
Spector 360 uses low level protocols to capture conversations (text only) when high level capture is not available for the client application or application version. Many 3rd party applications (non-Yahoo, AIM, MSN interfaces) are captured at the common, low level protocols they use to communicate with a major Instant Messaging network.

YAHOO: Low level capture of Yahoo Chat/IM
YAHOO_HL: High level capture of Yahoo Chat/IM