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What is SpIM?
SpIM is a term that
has recently been coined to refer to spam sent via instant messenger programs,
such as AOL Instant Messenger, MSN Messenger and ICQ. Someone who sends
instant messenger spam (SPiM) is referred to as a spimmer, again a play
on the term spammer.
If you publish your
instant messenger IDs online (such as on message boards or in ads) you
increase the liklihood you will receive spim. Likewise, if you pick a
easily guessed name (ie. Holly2 or Mom2B) you will also be that much more
likely to receive spim than if you chose a name such as Holly48201abc.
You can also decrease
your odds of being spimmed by allowing people who are not on your contact
list to ask permission first before they are permitted to contact you.
This means you will have to approve each person individually before they
are permitted to send you a message.
Also, don't forget
that viruses can also be transmitted through instant messenger programs.
For more information, read our article Preventing
Instant Messenger Virus Attacks
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