This article provides options for protecting yourself against unwanted SPAM and SPIM when using Yahoo! Messenger.

SPIM is SPAM for instant messaging (SPAM+Instant Message), the junk mail of the Internet. We are aware that this occasionally occurs through Yahoo! Messenger as well. Unfortunately, just like SPAM in Email, your best bet is to just close the window and forget about it.

If you think that someone is using your account to send SPIM to the contacts on your Messenger List, we recommend that you change your password. For information, please view this article on changing your password.

If you are receiving repeated SPIM from one particular person, we recommend placing that person on your Ignore List.

NOTE: The PC and Mac versions of Yahoo! Messenger offer you more options for configuring your preferences and protecting yourself than those that are available in Yahoo! Messenger in Mail. So even if you are not finding the options you want for configuring Yahoo! Messenger in Mail, please use the PC or Mac Yahoo! Messenger clients to configure your preferences.

If you feel that you or someone else is in danger or if you feel threatened, you may want to contact your local law enforcement agency. You should be able to find the phone number for your local law enforcement agency in your local phone book or by using the Yahoo! Directory Search.