Messaging Spam
Messaging spam, a.k.a spim makes use of instant messaging systems, such as AOL Messenger or MSN Messenger. The increase in messaging spam may be motivated by its rise in popularity as well as the many steps to crack down on spamming since the late 1990s. Many IM systems offer a user directory, including demographic information that allows an advertiser to gather the information, sign on to the system, and send unsolicited messages. To send instant messages to millions of users requires scriptable software and the recipients' IM usernames. Spammers have similarly targeted Internet Relay Chat channels, using IRC bots that join channels and bombard them with advertising.
Messenger service spam has lent itself to spammer use in a particularly circular scheme. In many cases, messenger spammers send messages to vulnerable Windows machines with a link. The link leads to a Web site where, for a fee, users are told how to disable the Windows messenger service. Even though the messenger service is easily disabled for free, the scam works because it creates a perceived need and offers a solution. Often the only "annoying messages" the user receives through Messenger are ads to disable Messenger itself.
Using privacy options to tackle messaging spam.
To tackle SPIM, many users choose to receive IMs only from people already on their contact list.
With Yahoo! Messenger, users can click Messenger -> Preferences -> Ignore List and check the box "Ignore anyone who is not on my Messenger List."
With AOL's Instant Messenger, or AIM, users can click My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences -> Privacy and check "Allow only users on my buddy list."
With MSN Messenger, users can click Tools -> Options -> Privacy and check the box "Only people on my Allow List can see my status and send me messages."
With BitWise IM, users can click Preferences -> Server / Contact List -> and check the box "Whitelist my contact list so that only users on my contact list can see me online or contact me."
Messaging spam, a.k.a spim makes use of instant messaging systems, such as AOL Messenger or MSN Messenger. The increase in messaging spam may be motivated by its rise in popularity as well as the many steps to crack down on spamming since the late 1990s. Many IM systems offer a user directory, including demographic information that allows an advertiser to gather the information, sign on to the system, and send unsolicited messages. To send instant messages to millions of users requires scriptable software and the recipients' IM usernames. Spammers have similarly targeted Internet Relay Chat channels, using IRC bots that join channels and bombard them with advertising.
Messenger service spam has lent itself to spammer use in a particularly circular scheme. In many cases, messenger spammers send messages to vulnerable Windows machines with a link. The link leads to a Web site where, for a fee, users are told how to disable the Windows messenger service. Even though the messenger service is easily disabled for free, the scam works because it creates a perceived need and offers a solution. Often the only "annoying messages" the user receives through Messenger are ads to disable Messenger itself.
Using privacy options to tackle messaging spam.
To tackle SPIM, many users choose to receive IMs only from people already on their contact list.
With Yahoo! Messenger, users can click Messenger -> Preferences -> Ignore List and check the box "Ignore anyone who is not on my Messenger List."
With AOL's Instant Messenger, or AIM, users can click My AIM -> Edit Options -> Edit Preferences -> Privacy and check "Allow only users on my buddy list."
With MSN Messenger, users can click Tools -> Options -> Privacy and check the box "Only people on my Allow List can see my status and send me messages."
With BitWise IM, users can click Preferences -> Server / Contact List -> and check the box "Whitelist my contact list so that only users on my contact list can see me online or contact me."
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