C-to-C spam

Of course, this is likely to be the downfall of this technology. On our website I have a skype button along with my geographic phone number and a contact-me form.

This week I've been spam-bombed via the contact form script and had my first spam skype call. Fortunately a) it didn't cost me anything and b) I could block the user.

I'm not now really sure whether it is worth having - I might replace with a common-or-garden chat prog.

Given that the calls are essentially free, I suspect there will soon be as many spam calls as emails.

Joe

That's the big problem that needs to be addressed.

I do think it's possible to combat it, but it's going to require some clever technology.

This has been the big problem with Click-2-Call where you enter your phone number into a box. It's the ultimate hoax tool as you can enter any number.

Some clever filtering and blocking though, should at least mean that any person can only do that once before they get blocked at some point in the chain.

Quote:

I might replace with a common-or-garden chat prog

They're equally open to being attacked by scripts and faking multiple conversations (I've seen that happen).

All of these things, where you design to make life easier for the end user, have a downside. The real question is are you getting a return on the cost of the technology? In other words, if you get 10 hoax calls a week, but 90 genuine calls that you convert into buyers of your product, is it, on balance, still a good thing for your business?

Dean