Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
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First, be aware that most instant messaging programs allow you to block instant messages from people you don't know. I would do that immediately. Then, when someone wants to IM you, you have to approve it.
But as for finding out who did, the news is not good. Possible? Technically, yes, but not likely.
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When you instant message someone, your computer is not talking to theirs. Your computer is actually talking to the computers at the instant messaging service, which then relays your message to the computer of the person you're talking with. So if you're using MSN Messenger, for example, when you send a message your computer sends it to the computers out at Microsoft, which then send it to whomever you're chatting with. When they respond, the same thing happens in reverse. (In some services, you can establish what's called a "direct connection", which may connect you directly, but it requires both ends of the conversation to agree, and someone attempting to remain anonymous will know enough not to do that.)
The result is that there's no information that you have access to that would tell you who that person really is. All you have is a screen name, and that's it. If that person has chosen to keep the public information about that screen name vague or blank, then I know of no way for you to find out who they really are.
Now, obviously, the instant messaging service knows both the account details and IP addresses for both of you - at least for as long as they might keep the records. But these services have strict privacy policies that will prevent them from just handing out that information to anyone. In fact, they're going to make it almost impossible to get. It's my belief that it will take law enforcement or even a court order to get useful information from the instant messaging services. And then, even if you do get the IP address of the other person, you'd have to go through the same legal hoops to get their ISP to provide you with any practical, identifiable information.
So that's a really long answer that boils down to this:
No, there is no practical way for you to find out who's contacting you via instant messaging if you don't already know.
Article C2394 - July 25, 2005 « »
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
June 22, 2006 4:14 AM
how do u use netstat?
August 29, 2006 1:00 AM
I tried to have this person stop instant messaging me but they wont. They know everything about me, but I know nothing about them. They wont tell me who they are. What am I supposed to do about that? How do I find out who they are?
January 5, 2007 3:04 PM
No, you will not be able to get that information. The only way you can is if a direct connection is acheived. Then that alone would require some social engineering, although, you could just simple act nice and ask to play a game with then. I don't know about now, but before, you could play a game with a direct connection. Otherwise, the only way to find out who they are is for a computer forensic law enforcement official to present to a judge and order of preservation and issue it to both Microsoft and (when discovered from microsoft) to the Internet Service Provider of the alleged. This is not easy, and it requires that charges be pressed and a crime commited for investigations to begin. Most of the time a simple grotesque word will not promote this.
February 20, 2007 8:40 PM
Just block the person.
March 3, 2007 2:06 PM
Yes it's possible to identify and locate people from just an IM name, AOL screen name or email address. Even the anonymous ones like hot mail and yahoo. It's not 100% but it is guaranteed, No hit no fee.
We are private investigators that specialize in just such a service.
www.emailrevealer.com