A method for securing chat sessions containing confidential subject matter during instant messaging from external entities is provided. The method, comprising: building a set of rules used to determine when a chat session between a first chat party and a second chat party during an instant messaging session contains confidential or uniquely classified subject matter; and securing the contents in the chat session based on pre-defined user settings, the contents in the chat session being secured when the contents in the chat session is determined to contain confidential subject matter derived from the set of rules, the chat session is further secured by limiting the exposure of the contents in the chat session to third parties when the chat session is determined to contain confidential subject matter while enabling the first chat party and the second chat party to view the contents in the chat session.