A bit of my Cracker Jack knowledge.

I believe it depends on your ISP. I am not sure about the washer programs.

On Yahoo there is the Message Archive under Tools.  It will  save all IM's onto your computers hard drive but not the web.

AOL does not save IM's unless you use the log manager but only works per session it's not a default setting.  That is located under the Tool Bar @ File bottom of the list you will find the it. Filing cabinet only saves emails

Sorry to admit but I do not have any knowledge to share about MSN. With my luck that is probably the service in question.  

Margaret

Need more information

in text (.txt) files.  Don't know if Window Washer erases these files.

1.  There are numerous AIM "add-on" programs that have a logging feature.  Dead Aim is the only one I can think of, but if you search the web, you will find many.

2.  IM chat is completely unsecure. So any monitoring / logging of internet activity through your home/work/whatever connection is directy readable.. This method is for more tedious than #1 though, as all traffic is logged.  The person monitoring the activity has to weed through a lot of crap to find what they are looking for.

I'm not an IT Pro, so there are probably more ways to do it.

Suffice it say - if you are using IM to hobby, you're flying bare ass naked in the wind.

In Yahoo Messenger, there is an Archive section under the File/Preferences option that will allow you turn archiving off.  I don't see a similar section in AIM, so I have no idea what goes on in AIM.

Good luck.

In both AOL and Yahoo IM, archiving of your IMs is an option. By default, it's turned off. On YIM, It's under Login->Preferences. Click on the "Archive" category. If you have archiving turned on in either app, then it's VERY easy for someone else to view those archive files. Just make sure it's turned off.

If you do not have archiving on, then neither Yahoo or AOL cache any of your conversations, and NO, Window Washer will not do anything for you.

As someone previously said, IM communication is completely unsecure, meaning the text transmitted from peer to peer in clear text. However, your average SO is not going to know how to monitor that... but a PI would. Your hard drive should be safe, as long as you have archiving disabled.

Hi,
to clean IM you have to go to http://webroot.com and purchase new window washer . They also have softwares to protect your privacy while surfing , and Spy sweeper is very good to find if someone placed something in your comp to monitor you . They give you 30 days free to try out spy sweeper . It is important after you buy window washer to revisit regularly http://www.webroot.com
for new plug ins .
Best thing of all is to buy from http://mcafee.com package called 'INTERNET SECURITY ' for about $80 . That is online firewall plus, online virus scan , online privacy and spam protection , and while you are connected or not , they monitor your comp, like bodyguards . In addition, i'm using also window washer from webroot.com , internet alert, ad-aware , and snooping myself in my computer files , checking    like registry , cklick on 'start ' then 'run' ..type 'regedit' and 'enter' and you got preety much all stuff in your comp but just read . Also, in 'c' dir you can check many things . If you search web , you can find software  firms that sell you program to discover if someone, like your wife , boss installed spy program which is invisible to you, but remember and save every word you type, email, pages and all activity . Only person who installed and know password can read stuff .
Good way for home users  is to setup password on comp , so only you can use comp . It is cheaper to buy other members of family second computer , when more people using same comp , just click with roght mouse on icon of some isp show anyone your file cabinets, saved emails, address book , without logging to isp .

REMEMBER , no washer can erase all tracks, you have to go byself to 'c' directory , then click on 'windows' then 'cookies' to check if it is clean folder , after again 'windows' then 'temp' folder and delete everything you find , after same with internet temp files, total 3 .
Also, to clear best is way to click on 'start'  ...''programs' then 'accesories' then choose 'system tools' and finally 'disk cleanup ' and later in same field  run 'scandisk'.
Also , to trick computer , because despite you erase cookies , you cant erase couple files , what I do is to go in windows section and delete folders 'tem' and 'temporary internet ' and ' cookies' . It is ok since comp will recreate new ones when you surf , but file will start from recent day .
You can protect comp but takes time on daily bases , anyway internet is started in order that goverment can read your email or behaviour in life .
It is much faster than go to post office and snoop in mail , I believe that every internet user have 'file' in secret organization like ins, cia etc where is all stored . Later , by searching with  keywords of interes , they are taken out , recheck and put back . Welcome to Earth, global village .