With over 520 million users, Skype is the most popular VoIP (Voice over IP) application available today. It provides a great service, allowing families, friends and colleagues to connect to one another through voice and video chat across the globe. However, being so popular doesn’t come without a price. The price that is paid is in the form of Skype SPIM (Instant Message Spam). These messages are pushed out to a large percentage of Skype users on a regular basis. The SPIM messages can range from the common pharmaceutical product spam, to fake OEM software, investment scams, replica bags and watches, and adult dating site spam.
The following is a recent example from one of our Skype accounts:
So what can we do? Here are a few tips to help protect you when using Skype.
1. Privacy - You should only receive calls and instant messages from your contact list. This will prevent you from receiving messages and calls from unknown Skype users.
2. Don't click on links - Especially within those messages sent to you by people you don't know, as this could compromise your computer.
3. Block Spammers - A straightforward suggestion: If you don't know the person sending you those suspicious messages, block them.
4. Report abuse - If you don't trust the person sending you that suspicious/spammy message, you should report them to Skype.
And most important of all is to always remain cautious and be wary of the various links and messages you receive. Skype is yet another avenue that spammers and criminals are using to try and dupe you.
