Stop Skype Spam

Skype is one of the most popular programs in Internet communications. As Skype’s popularity continues to skyrocket, its millions of users have been experiencing an increasing amount of spam. Among the most annoying offenders are porn spam, stock spam, account details, and shady lotteries from various countries. Users report receiving one to as much as 20 or more spam messages a day.

Unfortunately for Skype users, a spam filter similar to email spam filtering is not available. It appears that Skype has no plans to launch anything similar to that. However, you can take spam management into your own hands. Completely eliminating spam is unlikely, but by following some simple steps you will reduce your spam messages dramatically.

• Set your privacy settings to only allow your people in your Contact List to contact you. To do this, go to Skype--> Privacy…--> Select the second privacy option ("Allow only people in my Contact list to contact me")--> Save. This is the most important step. If you cannot choose this setting for any reason, trying the rest of these steps will help.

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• Change your status. In the Skype message boards SkypeMe! mode has been lovingly dubbed PornMe. If you routinely leave your status set to SkypeMe!, you’re leaving yourself much more vulnerable to spam, especially because of the Skype Directory. In a similar vein, remove as much personal information as you can from your profile. Gender seems to be a particular flag for spammers.
• To change your status on a Mac, go to Account --> Change Status --> SkypeMe!
• SkypeMe! is no longer supported on Windows versions of Skype.

• Block spammers. You can choose to block them from the message window or in your settings. By selecting Blocked Users in the Privacy window, you can see a list of blocked users as well as a pull down list of every user who has messaged you. You can select individual users from the list, then click "block this person." This will not dramatically reduce the spam messages, but it will eliminate repeats and probably make you feel a little better.
• To find the Blocked Users list go to Skype -->Privacy. Click the Privacy button to expand your options --> Blocked Contacts.

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• In past versions, Skype Users could report abuse to abuse@Skype.net or via a complaint form on the Skype website. Now you are given the option to report abuse directly from Skype.
• RIght Click on a username --> Block This Person. The following dialog box will pop up.

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• Check "Remove from your Contact List" and "Report abuse from this person" boxes -->Block.

If you are being bombarded with constant spam and vishing calls and messages, you may want to consider an alternative to Skype. Google Talk is quickly catching up to Skype in functionality and chances are nearly everyone you know already has a Google account. It can be used from within Gmail, iGoogle, and Orkut or you can download the Google Talk software and use it from your desktop just like Skype. VOIP News offers some great (but dated) alternatives.