# Message a colleague securely for the first time

Find the right person, check it is really them, and start a direct message that nobody else can read.

**The situation.** You need to ask a colleague in another department something confidential. You have never messaged them in Databeamer before.

**What you will use.** [Contacts](https://databeamer.eu/en/docs/chat/contacts) and a direct message in [Chat](https://databeamer.eu/en/docs/chat/messaging).

## 1. Find them

Open **Contacts** and choose **Add contact**. Search **Organization members** for their name. If they are outside your organisation, search **Public Profiles**; they must have turned on **Public profile** to be found.

## 2. Check it is really them

When you select a person, Databeamer shows **Confirm current identity**: their organisation memberships, groups you have in common and how long they have been a member. For a colleague you expect to see your own organisation listed. An **Identity verified by Databeamer** badge is extra assurance; self-declared labels are not.

If the details do not match what you know, stop and check through another channel.

## 3. Add a private note

Under **Only for you**, add a **Nickname**, **Tags** or **Notes** if that helps you find them later. These are encrypted for you alone.

## 4. Start the conversation

From the contact, choose **Message**. The direct message opens in the floating **Chats** window on desktop, or in the **Chats** tab on your phone. Type and press **Enter**.

## What your colleague sees

A new conversation in their **Chats** with your name and, if they enabled browser notifications, a notification that says who wrote, never what. They see when you are typing and whether you are online.

## Sending a file

Chat has no attachments. Use the contact's **Transfer** button for files, or **Secure Mail** for a longer message with attachments. Both go to the same person you just checked.