Chat is a text-based communication that is live or in real-time. For example, when talking to someone in chat any typed text is received by other participants immediately. In contrast, other text-based communications such as e-mail are modes of correspondence that are not real-time.

There are also several million users chatting through other networks such as IRC. A good example of a chat on IRC is the Computer Hope chat.

What is a chat room?

A chat room is where multiple people can all talk at the same time. When in a chat room anything said is seen by all people participating in the chat room. To send a message to only one person in a chat room a PM (private message) or DM (direct message) can be sent.

  • What is a chat room?
  • Chat etiquette.
  • Chat security suggestions.
  • Related information.

Chat etiquette

Below is a short list of chat etiquette that should be followed when chatting with others online.

  • Behave the same way you would when talking to someone in real-life.
  • Avoid chat slang.
  • Try your best to spell all words correctly and use proper punctuation.
  • Remember no one is perfect, spelling errors and other mistakes are common in chat.
  • Do not WRITE IN ALL CAPS as it makes you appear as you’re yelling.
  • Do not send other chat users private messages without asking them first.
  • Abide by the rules created by those running the chat.
  • When first joining a chat with multiple people, watch the conversation for a few minutes before chiming into someone else’s conversation.

Chat security suggestions

Below are our recommendations for staying safe in chat and security suggestions to follow when participating in online chat.

  • Never give your full name, address, phone, e-mail, or personal information over chat. Especially if it’s a public chat that everyone can read. If absolutely needed, you can send a PM (private message) or DM (direct message).
  • Never accept files from others in chat.
  • If you’re chatting to find help with your computer, and someone wants to remotely connect to your computer to help you fix a problem, be extremely cautious. Understand that if you allow them to remotely connect, they can access, modify, create, or destroy any information on your computer.

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  • Listing of chat slang.
  • Computer Hope chat.