The present invention allows for extending the functionality and data properties of a messaging board protocol, while maintaining support for legacy clients. A secure side channel is provided that allows functionalities and data properties not supported by a legacy protocol to be implemented. The unsecured legacy channel that uses a legacy protocol, however, is maintained. Legacy data can be sent over the legacy channel and subsequently linked up with the data properties sent over the secure side channel for extending the data properties. Because side channel is secure, a hashing and comparison of legacy data on the client and the server side allows for securing the unsecured legacy channel, thereby extending the functionality of the legacy protocol.