You're in a private chat, or sending instant messages or whispers to another person in the chat. It's private, right? Maybe... maybe not!

• The other party(ies) can easily cut and paste your message into another chat room, message, or document.  I have witnessed someone in one chat room paste their conversations in a second chat room for "amusement".
• ICQ, for example, can keep a history of all messages.  Anyone with access to that ICQ account on the "home" computer can read the messages.
• Histories of chats can be saved.
• Tracking (spyware) software can be installed on your computer that tracks every keystroke.
• Email can be copied, forwarded and printed.

These are just a few examples of how your private conversations, etc. can be jeopardized.

Marriages have been damaged and/or destroyed by e-mails or conversations being read.  Parent's trust of their children has been destroyed.  Jobs have been placed in jeopardy.

Of course, the smartest thing to do is not participate in activities that could get you in trouble.  If you do.... be careful.  Your "for your eyes only" words may not be!