Microsoft sues alleged instant-message spammers Seattle Post Intelligencer
Microsoft alleges that a Hong Kong-based company has been obtaining the usernames and passwords of Windows Live Messenger users, using those to hack into Microsoft's system and users' accounts, scraping their contact information, and using those contacts to continue the bulk spamming.

The company, Funmobile Ltd., allegedly sends an instant message that appears to be from the e-mail address of a person's Windows Live contact, Microsoft says. The message contains a link to a Web site that requires users to enter their Windows Live log-in information. Then it redirects to an adult Web site or bogus social network for Windows Live users.
Spam sent by instant message - or IM - is known as "spim."
"Such abuse of the Windows Live Messenger service harms Microsoft and our customers by burdening Microsoft's computers and computer systems with spim traffic, interfering with users' enjoyment of our services and invading the privacy of our users," Tim Cranton, associate general counsel at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post .



