How to Block Bots From AOL

Automated messaging programs, commonly known as bots, often spam AOL users with instant-messaging solicitations for products, services or websites. These bots can interrupt your online experience or distract you from legitimate conversations. AOL incorporates privacy options for its buddy list that let you block message spam by preventing unknown users from contacting you. The tradeoff to this setting is that it requires you to add new users to your list before they will be able to message you.

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Instructions

- 1
  
  Open your AOL Desktop application if you have not already done so.
- 2
  
  Select the "Edit" menu, then click "Settings."
- 3
  
  Select "Privacy" from the list of tabs.
- 4
  
  Select "Allow only users on my Buddy List," then click "Save." Unknown users, such as bots, will no longer be able to contact you.