Creating a Google Talk account

4.1 How to Create a Google Talk account

To create a Google Talk account, perform the following steps:

Step 1. Open your Internet browser and go to the Create Google Account page.

Figure 28: The Google Registration web page

Step 2. Type in the necessary registration details.

Note: In the Desired Login Name: field, type in a name for your email address/account. For reasons of anonymity and confidentiality, it should, ideally, not correspond with your first and last names.

Step 3. Click the Check availability button to see if your desired login name is available. If it is not, you might have to come up with something a little more original!

Step 4. Click to accept the conditions and create your Google Talk account after completing all necessary fields.

4.2 How to Enable a Secure Connection

Users who register and use Pidgin with a Google Talk, IRC, SILC or an XMPP compatible service, can configure Pidgin to use a secure connection, otherwise known as the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS).

In the Basic tab in the Add Account screen:

Step 1. Select your IM provider, and fill in the required details, then click the Advanced tab.

Figure 29: The Modify Account screen displaying the Advanced tab

Step 2. Check the Require SSL/TLS to automatically enable a secure channel over which your messaging session can take place.