Seriously Live Messenger, What is the problem?

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Posted By: Judie Lipsett Stanford

I am used to getting random spam instant messages through my Live Messenger account, but today has been a banner day, and I say that with total sarcasm. Today I have received at least five random IMs from a different address (which I immediately block after the message arrives), and each one has been completely trashy.

I’m posting the least offensive here, and the truly offensive ones after the break. Bear in mind that I have my Live account set so that I am not supposed to get any messages from people who aren’t contacts, and yet…they keep coming, and I can’t make them stop.

Screen shot 2009-10-13 at 3.22.00 PM

Once again, I am warning you that the IMs posted are completely offensive, so no freaking out when you see them. Okay? Okay.

I also have AOL, Yahoo, Google and Facebook IM accounts streaming through Adium, and none of them are spamming me like this.

Screen shot 2009-10-13 at 11.37.11 AM Screen shot 2009-10-13 at 11.30.59 AM Screen shot 2009-10-13 at 10.27.50 AM

hint: if you really want to see exactly how offensive these were, click them, then click the picture that opens

Screen shot 2009-10-13 at 3.58.49 PM

So seriously Live Messenger, what is the problem? Is there a way to stop these? Or should Live Messenger be marked NC-17? I hate the thought that there is a 13 year old girl or boy out there getting similar messages without any way to turn them off.

I would hate to have to ditch my Live account, especially since it’s got such a fab and easy to remember address, but if this is going to keep up I doubt I would even miss it. 😛

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She started in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie is best known for her device-agnostic approach, deep-dive reviews, and enjoyment of exploring the latest tech, gadgets, and gear.

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5 Comments on "Seriously Live Messenger, What is the problem?"

  1. ssschmidt | October 13, 2009 at 5:16 pm |

    OMG. Some warning would have been nice….. KIDDING!!!!!
    I’m sure that the aforementioned IM’s are in violation of the TOS. So after your report, the people doing that should have their accounts deactivated. Of course, they can always create new ones.
    Interesting that they SHOULD be blocked by your filter, but aren’t.

  2. Judie Lipsett | October 13, 2009 at 5:21 pm |

    I know, weren’t they awful? 😛

    Since the messages are so similar, all I can figure is that some spam service has created hundreds (thousands) of accounts, and is just sending them out. As a matter of fact, I have received two more since I posted the article. :sigh:

  3. Haesslich | October 13, 2009 at 7:41 pm |

    Well, they’re pretty obviously bots, and someone probably has either a bunch of throwaway IP’s to use with accounts, or maybe a botnet going. Another reason not to join MSN Messenger, and one that their competitors can use in online advertising: “Want an IM experience free from spam and sex-chat solications? Try Yahoo IM!”

  4. Judie Lipsett | October 13, 2009 at 8:27 pm |

    Yeah…Yahoo, Google, or even AOL. None of those have ever spammed me like this account is doing. :-/

  5. Haesslich | October 13, 2009 at 11:41 pm |

    I’ve gotten spam from AIM, but it’s pretty easy to shut out people who spam you – you just have to specify the level of access you allow… which means sometimes the old email trick of ‘block everyone but list of approved senders’ equivalent in AOL, IIRC. You’d think, with Microsoft trying to show their chops with regards to IM and everything else with the Windows Live Experience, that they’d cut out annoyances like… y’know, chat-spam.

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