Annoying iMessage spam: What is it and how to kill it (AAPL)
Reuters/Issei Kato
Bad news for people with iPhones: Apple's messenger service, iMessage, has been targeted by spammers.
You may have already received one of these annoying messages. It's an unfortunate side effect of any big social network.
But the good news is that iMessage spam isn't really that dangerous, if you know what it is and what you can do about it.
What does iMessage spam look like?
Here's a spam message I've received:
Reuters/Issei Kato
Obviously, there are not really deals on Michael Kors products at that URL.
Here are some other examples:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/800486632302358528
iMessage spam.
Is this a thing now? pic.twitter.com/mTYZEFnpkb
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/776412791871856640
Where does text message spam come from? https://t.co/PliuXbaeNw pic.twitter.com/TAEyZbZBpA
What should I do about it?
It should go without saying that if someone you don't know is messaging you, offering discount designer brands, you absolutely should not give them any personal information.
Apple also won't iMessage you to change your password. So don't fall for that, either.
The easiest thing you can do is to filter iMessages from people who aren't saved in your contacts. Go to Settings > Messages > turn on Filter Unknown Sender.
Reuters/Issei Kato
That will put all iMessages from unknown contacts into a separate folder:
Reuters/Issei Kato
To block a specific sender, open the spam message. Tap Details > Info > Block this Caller, then confirm with Block Contact.
To report the spammer, you'll see a blue Report Junk option underneath the spam message. Tap it and select Delete and Report Junk. Otherwise, you can send an email to imessage.spam@apple.com with a screenshot of the spam, and the phone number that sent it.
More recommendations from Apple here.
What if I am sending out the spam?
This is the bigger problem. If your iMessage conversations look like this:
https://twitter.com/mims/statuses/777732750405021696
My iMessage was hijacked - looks like these were test messages in prep for sending out spam. +86 is China. pic.twitter.com/i4IflwCnVI
Or this:
Reuters/Issei Kato
You'll need to take action. First, change your Apple ID password — your attacker could have it. Second, turn on two-factor authentication.
That should take care of your iMessage spam problem.
Having a particularly hard time with iMessage spam or have another iPhone problem? Email the author at kleswing@businessinsider.com.
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