Chit Chat

Why You Should Avoid the Chit Chat Facebook Application

Chit Chat is an Instant Messaging application that supposedly allows Facebook users to use the chat feature directly from their desktop. However, the Chit Chat Facebook chat application is riddled with spyware and other malware threats. There are several free, open-source programs that offer Facebook chat on your Instant Messaging platform without including any malware (e.g., Pidgin or Digsby.). With those on the market, there is absolutely no reason to download and install the Chit Chat onto your computer. ESG security researchers classify Chit Chat as a malware threat, containing browser hijacking components, spyware, and adware.

Unwanted Software that Is Installed Along With Chit Chat

A typical Chit Chat installation will always install a toolbar for your Internet browsers without your authorization. The Chit Chat toolbar will usually show up on Internet Explorer or on Mozilla Firefox, depending on which one is the default browser on the infected computer. Chit Chat also installs components that are well known adware or spyware threats. The Chit Chat toolbar also has the ability to start and stop file processes and to run in the background, decreasing your computer's performance, connection speed and even causing it to crash or become unstable. Chit Chat has also been associated with rogue security programs, another common computer scam. ESG security researchers strongly recommend using any of the free, legitimate alternatives to Chit Chat that exist on the market.

Protecting Your Computer from from Chit Chat and Its Associated Malware

If you have had any contact with Chit Chat or its website, ESG security researchers recommend running a full, in-depth scan of your hard drives. Even if you have not downloaded or installed anything, there is a slight chance that your computer may have become infected with malicious components. If you have installed the Chit Chat toolbar on your Internet browser, ESG security researchers recommend first to remove the toolbar through normal means; that is, by using the menu options on your Internet browser that are usually used for removing plug-ins and other components. Then, ESG security researchers recommend using an up-to-date anti-malware tool to remove any other malware that may be present on your hard drives. It is also recommended that you change your Facebook passwords and double-check your security settings after uninstalling the Chit Chat chat application. These may have become compromised or sent to a third party.