Block Skype Spam

Skype rocks.  My partners and staff, we all love it and use it all day to organize projects and float each other documents and links.  So far, Google Wave hasn’t replaced our regular use of Skype as a core communication tool.

That’s why when I started to see an uptick in Skype spam recently, I got kinda mad.  That’s one of my core business tools those spammers are messing with!

You are probably seeing more Skype spam too, especially if you have your Skype set up like I did.

Stopping Skype Spam

Skype isn’t like email.  You don’t have elegant spam filters like Gmail has, for instance.  (And you can’t stop all spam with Gmail, but merely prevent the ones that get through from coming again from that person or IP address.)

The most important setting for getting rid of Skype spam is in Tools>Options>Privacy “Only allow people in my Contact list to contact me.”

There are other settings you can use if the above is impractical for you.  I’m pretty protective of my Skype account and don’t fill in my Skype information in on any social sites.

Once you do get a spam, make sure you block the sender and also click on report abuse from that person.

I say this as more of a therapeutic measure than one that will help prevent more spam as I have no idea what good it really does.  But it feels right when you do it.

Related articles about Skype Spam…

• Our anti-spam initiatives (share.skype.com)
• Why do you uninstall Skype? (skypejournal.com)

Tagged as: blocking skype spam, skype, skype settings, skype spam, skype spam settings