Hide Contact Details in Yahoo! Messenger

If you have a PC and an internet connection, Yahoo! Messenger is an easy way to keep in touch online. However, sometimes you want to withhold contact information, such as your real name, from the people on your list.
 
You can also do edit the contact information you have for someone else on your own list. Yahoo! makes it simple to keep notes on others while maintaining your own privacy.

Instructions

To Hide Your Name

1. Log in to Yahoo! Messenger and click on the word "Messenger" on the upper left, then select "My contact details."
    
2. Find the three fields in which you insert your name. Put in a nickname in all three fields. Don't leave any of the fields blank or it will automatically insert your name from sign up.
    
3. Filter who gets to see your name from your friends list when you invite friends to your Yahoo! messenger contact list by clicking the "Add a contact" button from inside the main Messenger screen.
   Enter a person's Yahoo! ID or email address and click "Next."
    
4. Check the name directly below the Group selection and hit "Change button" if you want to edit the name. Type in a first name that you want friends to see and delete the last name if it's listed. Click "OK" then "Next" to send the invite with your custom name.

To Add or Hide a Friend's Details

1. Find the friend's name on your list and right-click your mouse over the name. A small menu will appear.
    
2. Select the option labeled "Contact details." Add notes about your friend in this area and delete details you want to hide. The friend will not see your notes on their screen.
    
3. Note that if you don't enter any details all contact information is hidden except the contact's Yahoo! ID.

Yahoo messenger can be installed in Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7.