SpIM blocking and user approval techniques for real-time messaging networks

Techniques for processing instant messages (IM) received from entities destined for IM clients are provided. An IM module is used to receive the instant messages and process them. In one embodiment, the IM module may be used to determine if a message is spam (or spim) or not. The IM module receives an instant message for the IM client and determines if a challenge message should be sent to the sender of the IM. The challenge IM is an IM that is sent to the sender of the IM that necessitates a challenge. If a response to the IM challenge is received at the IM module, it is determined if the response satisfies an answer required by the challenge IM. If the response satisfies the answer, the IM received may be forwarded to the intended recipient IM client. Additionally, a method for processing buddy list events using an IM module is provided.