Unsolicited Skype messages

W

wavly

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Jun 7, 2015
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Not sure if this is something for these forums but would appreciate any advice. I'm not subscribed to any social media site like Skype, Facebook etc and as far as I can tell I have nothing on my computer associating me with them. I've recently received a few messages flashing up on my screen saying someone would like to add me to Skype. I'm concerned that someone is able to identify me enough to be able to send unsolicited messages direct and worried about my security. Can I do anything to prevent getting these type of messages, should I be concerned about them?

As I said, any advice would be appreciated.

wavly
 
You really need to provide us more information. Tell us about your computer, your operating system and your security. Is Windows fully updated? Have you scanned for malware?

And for sure, make sure you Skype privacy settings are set to only allow people on your contact list to call you. Edit your profile to remove any personal information too.

How to Block Unwanted Calls on Skype | eHow
 
Hello, Thanks for your response.

I'm running Windows 10 which is up to date. I have Malwarebytes Anti Malware installed and no virus or malware identified. Is anything further required that would help?

Prior to posting my question I searched for answers on how to stop these 'invites' happening but everything I looked at mentioned about managing my Skype account. It was the fact that I don't have a Skype account that bothers me. I have never signed up for any social media account and there is nothing I can find on my computer relating to Skype.

The link you sent also details how to manage my Skype account to prevent unwanted contacts but doesn't say what to do if you don't have an account.

If there is some setting or profile on my computer I need to adjust I don't know where or how to adjust it? Help to do so will be appreciated.

My reason for posting the question is my concern that my I may be unwittingly allowing access to my computer by others and to what extent.

Thanks for your interest. wavly
 
Sorry. Skype is used for many purposes besides social media so I misunderstood your comment above.

I suspect someone signed up for Skype using your email address. This could be someone who simply fat-fingered the address when they were trying to sign up, or it could be someone who did it as a malicious prank. With the precautions you have taken, I would not be concerned that your computer has been compromised.

What you can do is attempt to log into Skype with your email address you are getting these message at and select you forgot your password. Then hopefully they will send you a new password, or a link to reset yours. Then you can access the account and set the privacy settings.

Note this happens because companies are too lackadaisical when it comes to security and they do not use a two-step registration process where they send an email to the address used when a new account is created with a link to click on to "activate" the account. Instead, they just create it using the email address given. Then sadly, they sell the address to 3rd parties, or give it their affiliates so you start getting junk mail.

BTW, you can run MBAM with W10's own Windows Defender. That's what I do.
 
Thanks for the information. If you don't believe my computer has been compromised I'm happy to leave it at that. I don't really want to try signing up for Skype - I don't think I'm savvy enough to be confident that I wasn't opening the door to bigger problem/nuisance.

If it had been an email or it was the one name that was appearing on the instant messages I would have been less concerned. These 'invites' are infrequent (at the moment) and if all they are is an irritation I can live with that. There are a lot more things in life that irritate me more! I'm happy to have your reassurance that my computer isn't an open door.

I occasionally get a message coming up suggesting I run Windows Defender and I do although in the main I rely on MBAM.

Thanks for your help. I enjoy reading the problems that come up on the forums and am amazed and impressed at the patience, knowledge and expertise with which they are handled, Well done all. Happy to have my query marked as solved.

wavly
 
I don't really want to try signing up for Skype
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I am not asking you sign up for Skype. What I am saying is that someone may have already done that using your email address. And trying to sign in with your email address will verify that.

As far as relying on MBAM, that is fine if you are using MBAM Premium because that has real-time scanning. But if using MBAM Free, then you still need to be running another full time antimalware scanner - and Windows Defender is fine for that.
 
Thanks for coming back to me. I did understand what you meant but wasn't going to bother doing anything further as you felt my computer wasn't compromised, however...following your last reply I decided to try your suggestion to sign into Skype. What an interesting education I've now had!

Trying to sign into Skype I was directed to sign into my Microsoft account (which I don't use). This led me to my Skype profile which was 50% complete. I tried to edit the details shown but wasn't allowed to save the edits. I followed links that led me to advertising preferences and privacy options I didn't know existed and eventually came across a page on my Microsoft account that showed it linked to Skype. I unlinked it and hey presto it closed the Skype account I didn't know I had!

There is a whole world of activity going on beneath the face of ordinary computer use that I am unaware of. Thank goodness for people like me there are people like you. Saying Thank You seems so inadequate. Thank You.

wavly
 
Saying Thank You seems so inadequate. Thank You.
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Actually - you just made my day! We are all volunteers here so being able to help others with their computer problems is what gives us satisfaction. Running into a poster who actually appreciates that, and is first, willing to spend a little effort to come back and post their solutions (so others may benefit from their experiences), is great enough. But to, on top of that, go out of their way to express their appreciation in the way you did and say "thank you" is the warm fuzzy, icing on the cake, motivation to keep trying to help others where we can.

So thank you, wavly, and I hope you have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a great New Year too!
 
Hi, its a 2 way process. I was really pleased with your reply for maybe more reasons than you can understand.

Since my previous post I've undergone a different learning experience. I collapsed and was released from hospital today. I've had an ICD device implanted. One of my friends said I had been unfortunate but I disagree, I believe I was very fortunate in the way events played out. I know I will have a Happy Christmas and the New Year is full of promise.

I enjoy this site and reading some of the topics that come up, but most of all I marvel at the extraordinary patience, knowledge and expertise that the likes of you and other moderators put in to solving a problem. I've read posts 20 pages long and despite the poster failing to carry out clear instructions have never read a note of ire or exasperation. You and your like truly are knights in shining armour and long may this site continue. Best wishes for Christmas and 2016. Wavly.
 
Wow, sorry to hear about these problems but glad you were able to get to the hospital for the necessary treatment. No doubt this Christmas will be special for you and those around you.
 

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