Rather than publish this as an article, I thought I would start this as a discussion topic so others can contribute their thoughts and findings.

Like many others, I have some communication value within Instant Messenger (IM) networks provided I manage them effectively. That is, I want such conversations to be short in duration directed toward accomplishing some sort of goal. For example, I have no desire to find 'companionship' or waste a lot of time on idle chit-chat. More troublesome, however, is how some networks have become almost useless due to 'bot generated junk messages and notices. What follows will be, I hope, some ideas on how to enhance one's privacy within these networks.

Most IM networks, with the exception of AIM as of the time I am writing this, support some kind of authentication process. That is, there is a way for you to approve additions to your contact lists and block those coming from unknown parties. Check through the privacy settings for whatever client you are using to see how to adjust this.

The only way I have found to deal with the flood of 'bot notices from AIM, however, is to set things so that I can be contacted only by those already on my contact list. This means those wishing to interact with me via IM will have to contact me by some other means (a private message on a forum like this, or e-mail) so this can be accomplished. Rather said state of affairs, to be honest, but that appears to be the only way to manage things at present!