ICQ was one of the original messaging apps. It pioneered centralizing instant messages (IM) using users’ unique multi-digit UINs assigned upon registration, as well as pioneering innovative design elements like its daisy icon which changed depending on whether you were online, offline, busy etc.
ICQ (which stands for “I Seek You”) remains true to its initial mission of helping people connect and find friends. As the pioneering program that introduced chat rooms organized around affiliate groups or common interests – one-on-one or with up to 25,000 subscribers joined at once – ICQ also introduced channels, an early precursor of blogs which allows anyone to create posts including text, pictures and videos and publish them for publication via text messages published directly into channels.
Today’s version of ICQ features an enhanced user interface that has been updated and expanded with additional features like secure video calls. Social networking connections to Facebook, Google Talk and Gmail as well as group chats, SMS and offline messaging services are supported as are multiple languages being offered in both desktop and mobile formats.
AOL Instant Messenger, Microsoft Live Messenger and Yahoo Messenger were all inspired by ICQ, but unlike some of its rivals it does not require users to provide personal details; just registering their phone number and five-digit UIN is enough for ICQ registration – then use this UIN number to search for other ICQ users near or far.
Once registered, ICQ provides easy ways for users to discover contacts who use its service by searching usernames or importing contact lists from other services. In any ICQ conversation you can also add voice calls by selecting the phone icon and choosing either regular telephone calls or video calls; its call engine works particularly well when connecting over 3G or Wi-Fi networks.
In addition to chats and phone calls, ICQ also provides many other useful features, such as sharing files, notes, bookmarks, stickers and communicating in any language. Voice messages can also be converted to text using this software and its cloud architecture allows synchronization across computers so your chats continue no matter where they occur.
Although ICQ first emerged in 1996, millions of people still use it today despite its age. It boasts the largest user base among messaging programs and continues to experience exponential growth. AOL Time Warner even recently rebranded it as “AOL Instant Messenger” to emphasize its emphasis on connecting and finding people.
Core Security Technologies reports that the latest release of ICQ contains six vulnerabilities which can be exploited to gain remote control over machines running its software, according to Core Security Technologies. These flaws, which remain unfixed in its latest release, include format string vulnerabilities and buffer overflow vulnerabilities which allow attackers to remotely execute code on machines running the software.