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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)
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the post and the reminder to set my privacy a bit tighter. I too have noticed a lot of Skype spam lately. In fact, yesterday I had 5 of them in about an hour. And like you, Skype is a business tool for me. Not a pleasure tool.
Thanks again!
Sheesh! Why I didn’t think of that sooner is crazy! Going now to change my settings! Thanks, Jack!
I do love skype too. And I really hate it when someone suddenly sends a rude message or something even if my settings are already made private. I wish people behind skype will make security more tougher. I think Skype is an effective communication tool for business so hopefully it doesn’t get perpetrated by scammers.
Thanks for reminding us to change our settings.
yes it is always advisable to take and add contact of people near and dear to you, this will surely minimize the chances of spam coming to your way, also never download any file before scanning it, this is filter the file if it is infected from any malware.
Nice tip for a skype mewbie like me
Skype spam also irritates me immeasurably. Note that whenever you receive a spam message it is very important to block this person and to report the spam. I have made a tutorial video which explains how to do that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sSg022oZpk
I’ve been avoiding Skype for that very reason. I hate the SPAM.
Do you trust Outlook to stop your email spam? Than why do you ask Skype to do that.
You better use an external anti spam tool for Skype.
A good example is SX for Skype (I’m sure there are others)
Chen
I use both Skype and Gmail. I think Gmail allows more Spam than Skype.
The latest version of skype is even better with lesser spam allowance.