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Messaging spam
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Messaging spam
Messaging spam, sometimes called SPIM, is a type of
spam where the target is
instant messaging services.
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.
Instant-messaging applications
Instant messaging (IM) systems, such as Yahoo! Messenger, AIM, MSN Messenger
and ICQ, are popular targets for spammers. Many IM systems offer a directory of
users, including demographic information such as age and sex. Advertisers can
gather this information, sign on to the system, and send unsolicited messages.
Using privacy options to guard against messaging spam
To combat 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"
- With
Trillian, users can click Trillian -> Trillian Preferences -> Identities
& Connections, and in all ICQ accounts click on the Miscellaneous tab and
uncheck "Allow users to see my status on the web". There is also a plug-in
available called
Trillian Spam Challenge which asks unknown contacts from any medium to
enter a phrase proving they're not a spambot, before the message is allowed
through.
If you send someone you know an instant message, and they do not respond, it
may be because they do not yet have you in their messenger's allow list. Ask the
user to add you to their allow list first.
Using AIM 'warn' feature
The free AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) service allows users to 'warn' other
users. The warning decreases the number of messages an account can send, slowing
down spam, and shows the AIM address as warned to other users that it may try to
message. This feature does have the potential for abuse, although such cases are
minimal.
Windows messaging spam
In 2002, a number of spammers began using the Microsoft Windows Messaging
service to get their message across. This isn't the same as the IM system
"Windows Messenger"; rather, it is a function of Windows designed to allow
servers to send alerts to administrator workstations. Windows Messaging spam
appears as normal dialog boxes containing the spammer's message. Windows
Messaging spam can be delivered using any NetBIOS port, so to block it at a
firewall entails closing down ports 135 through 139, and 445.
Alternatively, Windows users can simply disable the messenger service
entirely though the Windows services list available via Run/services.msc.
Messenger service spam, in particular, has lent itself to spammer use in a
particularly circular scheme. In many cases, messenger spammers send messages to
vulnerable Windows machines consisting of text like: "Annoyed by these messages?
Visit this site." The link leads to a Web site where, for a fee, users are told
how to disable the Windows messenger service. Though the messenger service is
easily disabled for free by the user, this scam works because it creates a
perceived need and then offers an immediate solution. Often, the only "annoying
messages" the user is receiving through messenger are advertisements to disable
messenger itself.
Subsequent Windows XP Service Packs have disabled this "feature" by default.
External links
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This guide is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia.
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