How to Avoid Skype Spammers

Just like every other free web platform, spammers are intent on taking advantage of Skype to further their own ends and annoy you in the process. If another user can get hold of your username, they'll be free to spam you with messages and invite you to become their contact. If you don't know them but are curious enough to add them, this could open you up to even more spam. Here are four tips to keep your Skype service spam free.

• Make sure you know the people who are adding you as contacts. Do a quick Google on their usernames to make sure that you don't recognise them from elsewhere. Not everyone sticks to the same username throughout the web.
• Don't click on links that aren't from people you trust. If it looks suspicious, ask first - don't click on it. Even if your best friend sends you a link, if it looks out of character don't click. And never, ever run an executable file (designated by .exe) on your computer if you question its source or purpose. Skype will never send you an instant message to tell you about software. The best way to stay updated is to frequently check for updates on the website and through the Skype client under "Help" rather than trusting messages you might receive from spammers.
• Block people who send you unwanted messages and report them to the Skype team. If a spammer tries to contact you, click the block button in the notifications window. If you've accidentally added that person to your contacts list, you can still block them by right clicking on their name and choosing "block this person".
• Skype then asks if you'd like to report the person as a spammer. And if they've been spamming you, please do so! You'll help Skype figure out who to block from the service completely.
• Never give your password to anyone. You should only need your Skype password in two places; on the website to buy credit and manage your account and in your Skype desktop client to sign in. Skype will never ask for your password in an email, on the phone, or in an instant message, so don't reveal it in any of those places. If someone asks you for your password and you give it to them, you may find your own account being used for spam and yourself charged for premium calls and services.

If you find that you're blocking a huge number of spammers and receiving far too many messages that you don't like, you have a few options. You can go invisible, so no one can ever see that you're online and target you. This does mean that you'll have to call all of your friends yourself, but it offers you security at the same time. You can also choose to allow calls and instant messages from your friends only. This is a preferred option because you can hand pick your contacts list and you know you'll never see any spam at all, but your friends can still find out when you're online and message you.