"Consumers ditching e-mail for instant messages to avoid spam are in for an unpleasant surprise.
Spim, or instant-messenger spam, is peppering computer screens with increasing frequency. And the problem may get worse as e-mail marketers look for new ways to reach consumers after a federal crackdown on spam.
More than 1 billion spims were sent last year — roughly four times the amount sent in 2002. Another 4 billion are expected in 2004, Ferris Research says.
"Anyone who uses IM believing they will get away from spam is in for a rude awakening," says Brian NeSmith, CEO of Blue Coat Systems (BCSI), a security company in Silicon Valley.
Spim pales in comparison with the estimated 2 billion spam messages sent each day in 2003, Ferris says. But unsolicited pitches for porn sites and concerts have become unwelcome intrusions for millions of computer users who spend time on instant-messenger services.
Instant message, or IM, lets consumers exchange messages instantly on their PCs. IM services are separate from regular e-mail. Users can accept or reject incoming messages, which also pop up on PC screens."
Full article:
USA Today
