Talk:Messaging spam

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[edit] Using privacy options to guard against messaging spam

Isnt there some policy on wikipedia that says that wikipedia isnt a how-tp guide?

Anyway, i am just thinking that the section labled "Using privacy options to guard against messaging spam" is way to muhc 'how-to-y" that needed Kuzmaster 22:37, 5 August 2007 (UTC)


I'd appreciate a little editing help, not sure how to go about it myself. The paragraph on Windows Messaging advises to block the NetBIOS ports (139, 445, etc) to block that sort of Spam in a popup window. While it's wise to shut those ports down for various other reasons, this explanation is not correct. XP's Messaging service is not exactly related to NetBIOS functions at all - the classic Messaging ports -that also get the most Messaging Spam these days- are UDP1026 and UDP1027, although the spread can easily range from UDP1025 to UDP1035. These are the ports to block, if the user for some reason can't disable the Messaging service as such. 84.139.83.5 08:49, 24 August 2006 (UTC)

I think it would be worthwhile to note somewhere that most of the screen names in IM services such as AIM or Yahoo are spam bots. Ralphael 19:09, 27 January 2006 (UTC)

Although I'm inclined to agree, I think the page needs to cite some external source on the ratio of spam bots to users in support of this statement. --TravisM 10:23, 25 March 2006 (UTC)

Before reverting someone's additions, please note the guidance on Wikipedia:How to revert a page to an earlier version to "Note that reverts are not appropriate if a newer version is no better than the older version. You should save reverts for cases where the new version is actively worse." - Banjolawyer 15:34, 20 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Yes, that's correct. The edit in question introduced several problems:
  • Addition of "how-to" content -- see What Wikipedia is not. An encyclopedia is not a place for "how-to" guides giving people instructions on how to use particular pieces of software. An encyclopedia article does not address the reader in the second person ("Ask the user to add you to their allow list first").
  • Excessive use of the made-up term "SPIM". This term is not actively used in the security or anti-spam world. It was made up by marketers and promulgated by IT-marketing trade-rags, just like "SPIT" ("Spam over Internet Telephony") and many other rather silly coinings.
  • Deliberate placement of the table of contents above the introductory paragraph. Wikipedia articles begin with an introduction, not with a table of contents.
--FOo 16:24, 20 Apr 2005 (UTC)
A better solution would have been to edit the contribution to comply with style guidelines, rather than delete it entirely.
  • How-to guides - The article already contained how-to instructions, although not detailed ("so to block it at a firewall entails closing down ports 135 through 139, and 445.") If too many details were provided in the new content, they could have been edited.
  • addressing the reader in second person - this mistake could have been edited, rather than deleting the entire contribution.
  • excessive use of the made-up term "SPIM" - It is somewhat hypocritical to originally introduce a silly term into an article and subsequently claim that additional usage is problematic
  • TOC placement - I stand corrected.
- Banjolawyer 18:17, 20 Apr 2005 (UTC)

With regard to the point about "SPIM" — one can mention an alternative term in the summary, but the article should use the name used in the title. Mel Etitis (Μελ Ετητης) 18:47, 20 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Your edit and instruction are well appreciated. -Banjolawyer 19:07, 20 Apr 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Fair use rationale for Image:Messengerspam.jpg

Image:Messengerspam.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in this Wikipedia article constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Wikipedia:Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.

BetacommandBot 07:16, 7 November 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The Messenger Service has nothing to do with IM/Chat

It's vastly different from several technical standpoints and really should be separated and given it's own article.

Messenger service provides a very early and primitive form of IM usable on local networks without a server. I think its coverage in this article is appropriate and sufficently small. --132.170.203.38 (talk) 16:20, 4 March 2008 (UTC)