This article describes how to create and use a different identity for Yahoo!7 Messenger, such as a chat room alias, and how to protect your identity in chat rooms. It will also instruct you on how to delete an alias if you choose to do so.

We encourage you to create a different personality or alias for use in a chat room. It's important to protect your identity in chat rooms.

When you enter a chat room in Yahoo!7 Messenger, the Yahoo!7 ID you use as your identity is visible to other Yahoo!7 users in the same room. To help keep your private information private, and potentially prevent unwanted emails to your primary Yahoo!7 ID, we encourage you to set up an alias.Important! We encourage you to read the help article, Tips for Chatting Safely, before you set up your alias. This article has additional information about safer alias selection strategies.

How to create an alias:

1. Select the Messenger menu| My Account Info.
   - The "Sign in to Yahoo!7" window opens prompting you to sign in.
   
    

   

2. Under "Account Settings," click Manage your Yahoo!7 aliases.
   
    

   

3. Click Add an alias and a box displays with the words: "Enter new alias."
   
    

   

4. Type your new alias in the box.
5. Click Save.
   - If that alias is available, you can save it as your new alias. Otherwise, you'll be prompted to try again with another alias.
   • An alias can be anything you like. It can be something that describes a special interest like "SkyDivingFool," or "CookieBaker." Or you might try something like your dog's name or a variation on your favorite movie, game, or cartoon character.
   • Just remember, you want to make it suitable and fun, but not too revealing. For example, with "BoiseSkyDivingFool," or "NYCookieBaker" you might be giving away too much personal information. If your name is actually Skyler Fool or Kookie Baker, you might want to try some something different, not related to your name. For more information about safer alias selection strategies, go to the help article, Tips for Chatting Safely.
6. When you're done, click Close.

Note: You can create up to six aliases to use instead of your Yahoo!7 ID, so you can keep your private details private.

How to delete an alias:

1. Select the Messenger menu | My Account Info.
   - The "Sign in to Yahoo!7" window opens prompting you to sign in.
2. Under "Account Settings," click Manage your Yahoo!7 aliases.
3. Click the delete button next to the alias you wish to delete.
   - A window opens, stating: "If you delete this alias, you will no longer be able to use it to mask your Yahoo!7 ID".
4. Click Delete Now, to delete the alias.
5. Click on the Close button.

For more information about chat rooms:

• To find out more about joining a chat room, go to the help article, How to Enter a Chat Room.
• To find out more about safety while chatting, go to the help article, Tips for Chatting Safely.