Beyond VoIP TMC

Skype Spam

February 16, 2007

Skype%20chat.jpg I've recently noticed an alarming trend: I've been receiving a growing number of spam Skype chat messages recently -- a sign that people are farming the Skype database to send promos and other distracting stuff.

Here's the latest one I received today:

[1:26:48 PM] Best Wishes says:smile Hi,
I’m Sarah, a volunteer at the New Tang Dynasty Television (NTDTV). In the spirit of celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year, I would like to invite you, your family and friends to join us on a journey across oceans and centuries to the world of China’s legendary golden age- the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). The 2007 NTDTV Chinese New Year Spectacular at Radio City will bring you world-class vocalists, a live pit orchestra, and large-scale traditional folk dances along with fantastic scenery and beautiful costumes.

This Spectacular event will be held in NYC at the Radio City Music Hall on Feb 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th of 2007. Whether it’s to experience Chinese New Year in classic Chinese style, or simply spend a special night out, this grand show is a breath-taking cultural extravaganza you will definitely enjoy! Come witness the divine beauty of an ancient civilization as it will be brought to life like never before.

Please visit NTDTV website for more details:
[1:26:48 PM] Best Wishes says: http://ticket.ntdtv.com

Check out photos and video highlights of past NTDTV shows:
http://newyeargala.ntdtv.com/2006/en/index.html

You can also find more video clips on Youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyxI-cj-29c

In the past 3 years, NTDTV’s Chinese New Year Spectacular has received great success as it was performed in cities throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It has even been rated as the 7th best performance in 2006 by the Billboard magazine. The 2007 Spectacular will expand to be performed in 29 major cities around the globe.

From my own personal experiences, I guarantee this show will be one of a kind celebration event that will dazzle your heart and will leave you and your family the memory of a lifetime!

Hope to see you there!

Wish you and your family a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I know there's a way to restrict Skype contact to only your approved contacts, but that severely restricts the usefulness of it, in my opinion. Perhaps this is something we just have to live with, just like telemarketers calling at dinnertime?

But hold on: Now that I think of it, there is a "Do-Not-Call" registry in effect that prohibits telemarketers from calling registrants (if they do, they can be heavily fined). I signed up to this, and it has had a marked impact on the number of telemarketer calls I receive (although they occasionally do happen...)

Perhaps Skype should consider instituting similar measures: Send spam and lose your account, or some such penalty.

How many of you have received Skype Spam? And what do you think Skype should do about it?



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Comments to Skype Spam

  1. RE: Skype Spam
    Quad :
    January 23, 2008 11:02 AM

    I have had a Large amount of spam threw skype, I do admit i have used skyp search to find fello hunters and fishermen but that is what i searched for, ( AND I CHAT TO THEM ) But this adult porn spam ive been getting is NUT'S!! i have been getting 10 - 15 per day!! I have a little son here that dont need to see this stuff!! It is almost like they are using a Bot to do the typing. Networking with people is good but they Should at least Ask (do you want to chat?) or Something, this way it is not quite as bad. At one time i was one of thoes phone marketers, But i have Stoped that line of business because i understood how i hated to get the calls my self! So i figured why should i do it! So I quit! I think alot of people look for these things because there is nothing really all that great out on the net to get the job done. Me my self ill just keep closing the PM boxes, if it gets to bad Ill shut it down. The Real bad thing is We SEE this Spam Allover and on EVERY SITE, Its Called Adwords!! The only diffrence is it it paid for and not free. But this method is Ok?

  1. RE: Skype Spam
    Jason :
    April 28, 2008 11:26 PM

    I found your post when googling for Skype Spam (looks like it was done a while ago). I have been receiving several "spam chats" per day, and I am guessing that I made it on some list. No matter what my privacy settings are, I still get these messages (essentially inviting me to an racy chat room). Not sure what to do about this, but I will keep poking around the net till I find a solution, or just remove SKYPE from my system altogether. Jason


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