Using "SecureIM - modified by baloo 1.0.9.16" plugin for Miranda-IM =================================================================== written by Carpediem2100 2006-09-12 updated on: 2006-09-12 Impetus ------- My interest in this plugin was sparked by my desire for a small portable windows Instant Messaging client with the ability for secure (encrypted) chat. I chose "baloo's" plugin because it was ranked high in popularity and seemed quite recent. I am writing this because there is lack of documentation on setting up and using this plugin. I searched online Forums and searchEngines. I configured it via trial and error. What is required ---------------- SecureIM - modified by baloo 1.0.9.16 (plugin) Date updated 18/08/2006 http://addons.miranda-im.org/feed.php?dlfile=2445 Crypto++ dll by baloo 1.0.0.5 (plugin) Date updated 18/08/2006 http://addons.miranda-im.org/details.php?action=viewfile&id=2669 What else is needed but not readily evident ------------------------------------------- I looked up other secureIM plugins & they needed a "popup" plugin. SecureIM 1.0.4.4c by johell needs "PopUp Plugin v.1.0.1.9+" Secure IM - modified by __alex 1.0.4.5 needs "PopUp Plugin v.1.0.1.9+" Therefore, you need one; I found these available for download and they both work with SecureIM by baloo (you can use either one): PopUp 1.0.2.1 by hrk Date updated 18/05/2005 http://addons.miranda-im.org/feed.php?dlfile=299 PopUp Plus 2.0.3.8 by zazoo Date updated 22/09/2004 http://addons.miranda-im.org/feed.php?dlfile=1170 version of Portable-Miranda (from PortableApps.com) --------------------------------------------------- I discovered SecureIM by baloo works with PortableMiranda 0.403Beta. It does not work with MirandaPortable 0.51 (ansi nor unicode) With version 0.51, the right-mouse click option "Create SecureIM connection" is not displayed & thus cannot be activated. Using your im-client =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- You and your im buddy both need a copy of Miranda with SecureIM by baloo. (If your buddy doesn't use Miranda, he/she will receive the session's Key, but the message will Never be encrypted.) 1. enable plugin go to Options; Plugins and check the SecureIM & Crypto & Popup boxes 2. enable plugin protocol go to Options; Plugins; SecureIM; Protocols tab and checkmark the protocols to use (i checked them all). [note - My buddy and i used this with Yahoo. I didn't try it with any of the other protocols] 3. enable plugin options go to Options; Plugins; SecureIM; General tab and checkmark these (my personal prefs) options: Enable Secure Offline messages Enable Secure File Transfer (I couldn't exchange files) Always show status icons in contact list (didn't work) Miranda Client Detection Status in Context Menu on the same tab, (under User List) right-mouse click on your buddy's nickname. Available choices : Status - enable/disable you & your buddy's secure connection here if you want. Pre-shared key (PSK) - Set key or Delete key you don't need a set key. But if you do set a key, both you and your buddy need identical ones. If you don't set a key, your buddy can't set one neither. Keys can vary between buddies. After logon, right mouse click on your buddy. There should be a green arrow next to "Enabled". If it is Disabled, change it. Next, on the same list click the "Create SecureIM connection" option. When you do this, a key exchange will take place with your buddy & this is confirmed in the system tray popup window(s). It will indicate if key exchange is successful or has failed. You really must pay attention to this as there are only a few ways to tell if you are encrypted. Ways to tell if your connection is secure. a) status icons (this didn't work for me) b) right mouse click on buddy or hit the drop down menu in private message window the red "Disable SecureIM connection" shield should be visible. It means you are currently secure. c) look for "enabled"/"disabled" in options list. *This has a higher priority than b) above. d) system Tray popup window. e) occasionally the private chat window **(See Below) ** The private chat window will indicate one instance of a non-secure channel, but only with the particular scenario: during a secure chat, YOU change your BUDDY's green arrow "Enabled" to a red arrow "Disabled" (note - I'm not talking about the red Shield). If at that point, BUDDY types a line "...a.b.c...." and hits enter, YOU will not receive that line. "...a.b.c...." will be lost to cyberspace. If your BUDDY continues to type another line "...d.e.f...." for example, you will receive that line, but it will be preceded by this message: SecureIM received unencryped message: ...d.e.f.... Final criticism(s) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= So, SecureIM appears to work. However, I an not smart enough to use a sniffer or other method to validate that the text is encrypted. Have faith. Epilogus ======== This may not be as elegant as some other bulky im-clients with secure chat. But to be fair, here is the other side of the coin: 1) Miranda is freeware. SecureIM is freeware. 2) Miranda with this configuration is small and portable. approx 1.7MB (1.2MB zipped) 3) SecureIM is a brilliant piece of programming. (Hats off to Baloo & the original developers) (I will keep you updated on other plugins that I test/use)