System and method for secure instant messaging

A system and method for secure instant messaging are described. For example, in one embodiment, a first user identifies a second user for an instant messaging session with the ID code of the second user. In response, the first user is provided with network information for the second user and a public key associated with the second user. The first user then encrypts an instant message using the public key of the second user and a private key. In one embodiment, the first user encrypts the content of the instant message (e.g., any text and/or attachments) using the public key of the second user and signs the content using the private key of the first user. The encrypted message is transmitted from the first user to the second user. The second user then decrypts the instant message using the second user's private key and verifies the signature with the first user's public key.