Random messages on Skype
 

Okay, so I've started getting messages from people on Skype that I do not know. Is this just a Skype hazard or is there a way to avoid this? My Skype is only listed one place online and that was the private staff forum here when I was on staff. Are people just punching in random emails and seeing who shows up or is there a user search thing like on Facebook where people can actually see my profile? I thought I tweaked my privacy settings to avoid such intrusions (everything listed as "contact list only") but apparently not.

There's a search function, plus also bots that just try brute-forcing a lot of combinations and keywords. Not a whole lot you can do about them except block them. You can set your Skype account to only accept messages from people on your contact list, though.

I normally assume it's a bot or automatic email thing, but the comments read like actual people and there are profile pictures there.

I think I just realized what the snag is. The second message wasn't actually an instant message (I already have my settings to contact list only after the first person appeared), but the note that came with a contact request.

Ah, yeah, THAT'S just an unavoidable Skype hazard.

I've received random messages from "people" that keep sending invites to suspicious webcam chatting sites and whatnot. I don't know where they come from, and I simply block them. I rarely put my Skype name on sites, because I mostly give it out to really good/personal friends of mine.