Why am i getting a ton of spam messages from random users on yahoo messenger now?

I dont even have my yahoo account posted online and it still happens! Is this happening to everyone or did someone i gave my account to gave it to a spam industry? I keep getting links to webcam sites. Also I have been geting links like that from one user i have so did a virus infect them and extract my account adress or what?Why am i getting a ton of spam messages from random users on yahoo messenger now?
If your yahoo email is known to someone they can im you. At the moment your best option would be to ignore anyone not on your contact list. In Messenger click on Messenger in the upper left hand corner and choose Preference (ctrl+shift+p for pc). On the left of the dialog box click Ignore List. Choose the top of the two options which is Ignore anyone not on my contacts list. Press Okay. In Main, at the top left of your email click the arrow next to Options and choose Messenger Options. On the left of the dialog box click Privacy. Choose the top of the two options which is Ignore anyone not on my contacts list.
1. Spammers have programs to invent random addresses fro them, and use 'spambot' computers to flood accounts with their messages.
2. Spammers skim the web for posted addresses. Do a web search for yours.
3. Infected computers are harvested for all addresses anywhere in the e-mail accounts, whether in the address book or saved mails. (That's why to use BCC always, and erase other addies too)

To block senders in the downloaded Messenger program, go to Messenger %26gt; Preferences %26gt; Ignore List, and add the IM name or e-mail of the person you wish to block. Click Add, then OK or Apply. Be sure to remove the name from your Contacts list by right-clicking and selecting Delete.
If you receive contact requests from unknown persons, go to the Ignore List and check 'Ignore anyone who is not on my contact list.' Then click OK or Apply.

In Mail, there are two ways to appear permanently offline to someone.
Here’s how to block them right now:
1. Open a chat window with the ID of the person you’d like to block. (They won’t see anything.)
2. At the top of the Chat window, click Block Sender.
3. Finish by clicking the x to close the tab.

Here’s how to block someone if they try to start a chat with you:
1. In the chat window that they opened, click Block Sender along the top. That’s it.
*** If you want to block a contact who’s in your Messenger List, you’ll first have to remove them from your buddy list in the Yahoo! Messenger client.

(Ribbit)Why am i getting a ton of spam messages from random users on yahoo messenger now?
if you have a Facebook or any website that knows your email.
they sale all your likes an emails to make money an then these spam company's buy it an spam your account with emails.

on your yahoo account get the app called Unsubscribe an for stuff you don't know about like spam click move to unsubscribe folder.

BTW your not hacked an its not a virus.
company sale your ip an emails an you receive spam.
also you can Google why am i getting spam in my inbox.
and put your phone an email on the do not call list.
I think they've been hacked, I'm getting false mail alerts and server error messages all the time.Why am i getting a ton of spam messages from random users on yahoo messenger now?
You must have it set to be visible to others when you are on line