Yahoo Messenger is instant messaging software which offers free service for text messaging, computer to computer calling, file transfer, chat rooms and web hosting. Computer to phone and phone to computer calling is available as a paid service. This software also prompts the user about new email arrival in the mail box or upcoming events recorded in the Yahoo calendar. It also provides offline messaging facility where the user can send message to the offline user, who would eventually receive that message once he is online.
The user has an option to hide his identity through different user name while messaging.
How to use Yahoo Messenger:
Yahoo Messenger is available on internet for Mac OSX, Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows7, XP64, Vista64 and Windows7 64 Operating Systems; which can be downloaded online. Once this software is installed on the computer, it can be accessed through Yahoo ID which can also be used for accessing Yahoo Email Id. While installing Yahoo Messenger, a protocol called as ‘URI Scheme’ is also installed in the computer which helps in opening new Yahoo Messenger window for URI’s starting with ‘ymsgr:’ with specified parameters. Yahoo and Microsoft have also introduced interoperability between their messengers so that both messengers can communicate with each other without creating additional account.
Voice calling is available from computer to computer and computer to phone worldwide, but phone to computer calling facility is available only from UK, USA and France. Voice mail service and file sharing service is also available limiting up to 2 GB of data transfer. Plug inns are available online for Yahoo Messenger which can download and used. Free and paid internet radio service is also available through this messenger.
Webcam service is free which can be availed by installing webcam on the computer and can be used worldwide. The starting resolution of the image is 320 x 240 pixels or 160 x 120, with average speed ranging from 1 to 2 frames per second.
Features of Yahoo Messenger:
• Multiple languages support
• Enhanced video calling
• Get updates from Yahoo, Flickr and Twitter
• Inbuilt media player
• Instant messaging or group messaging system
• Send SMS on mobile phone
• Free voicemail
• Video calling
• File transfer (including photos and documents)
Protocols used in Yahoo Messenger:
Yahoo Messenger uses YMSG protocol to communicate between users using TCP/IP connection with port number 5050 which is the default port. Alternative ports can be used if default port is blocked, and HTTP route is also available for the users with secured firewall. VoIP service is handled directly through Yahoo servers, which are different than the servers used for messaging. Yahoo Messenger uses SIP and H.323 technology.
Security in Yahoo Messenger:
Norton Antivirus or Internet Security 2007/2008 is used to scan files while sharing files. YMSG provides complex security as the user’s username and password is verified through the server which uses long seed value with two responsive values.