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SSL is placed in the browser level. However, since chat does not involve the browser, an encryption protocol is used between the chat server and the java client. The java client is served a seed from the secure Web server. The seed, created using WebMaster's certified and tested random number generator, is used to key a 56 or 128-bit symmetric cipher. This encryption protocol, known as the Blowfish cipher, is one of the most widely used and trusted encryption products available.
Whenever you're in a channel that is secure, a lock icon appears next to the channel name, and all clients that you private message see this icon, indicating that encryption is in effect, as well as a designator that specifies the level in use (56 or 128 bits). This system allows you to know that all participants in a channel (or those with whom you're in direct communication) are using encrypted clients.
The server-to-server linking protocol has also been modified to allow servers to link together with encryption, guaranteeing end-to-end security in multi-server installations. This means that you can now create a secure private chat network among servers at different locations.