SPIM is a term used to designate unsolicited bulk messages that target Instant Messaging (IM) services. SPIM is perpetuated by bots (short for “robot”, a computer program that runs automatically) that harvest IM screen names off of the Internet and simulate a human user by sending SPAM to the screen names via an IM. The SPIM typically contains a message or link to a Web site that the ‘Spimmer’ (the individual or organization responsible for sending the SPIM) is trying to market.