Using Pidgin? Consider turning off chat logs.

Many chat programs log all of your conversations and keeps those logs permanently by default. This raises security and privacy concerns. Chat logs could also be subject to Open Records requests. Each program should have an option to turn off logging, but you may also need to delete existing logs.

For example, in Pidgin click Tools, Preferences, Logging and uncheck all the boxes. However, this will not delete existing logs. If you want to delete them, they can be found in C:\users\username\AppData\Roaming\.purple\logs\jabber\accountname (C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\.purple\logs\jabber\accountname in Windows XP).

Note that if you use chat for University business it's possible for chat logs to constitute records that must be retained. See Open Records and SSCC Email for a basic discussion of the requirements.