No. Only the calls between Skype users are free of charge. You have to refill your account to make calls to landline or mobile numbers.

If the application is being used only for calls and instant messages, the spread of viruses is hardly possible. In case of data transfer an antivirus program should be activated.

Yes, you can define it in the settings to receive calls only from users on your Contact list.

Yes, but only the history of all contacts at once. It's not possible to delete instant message history for one separate contact.

No, currently Skype doesn't support calls to such numbers.

Unfortunately, no.

Yes, you can. But in this case you can use Skype only for sending and receiving instant messages.

Yes, Skype supports HTTP / HTTPS-proxy as well as SOCK5. Go to Tools > Options > Connection and choose the necessary proxy type there.

The Skype application saves your instant messages and other settings in the directory: C:/ Documents and Settings /your_windows_username/ApplicationData/Skype. Just copy this directory to some safe place and after reinstalling OS copy the files back to the same directory.

You can do it in the application, go to Skype > Change password. Also you can do it on your account page on www.skype.com.

You can check your account balance in the main window of your Skype application or on your account page on the website www.skype.com.

Select users from your contact list with a mouse keeping the "Ctrl" key pressed. Then click the right mouse button and choose «New group conversation» to start a text conference or «Call the group» to call this group of users. By responding to your request, members will automatically join the conversation. If you want to invite someone into a conference that is already running simply click on the button «Add contacts» in the conference window and select the user.

To find someone to talk to go to "Contacts > Search for Skype Users" and there enter the necessary information, like age, sex, country etc. Or you can enter the "Skype Name" if you search for someone in particular.

There are several ways to make a call via Skype:

— make a right mouse click on the relevant contact and choose "Call" in the menu;
— choose a contact and make a left double-click with the mouse;
— choose a contact and press the green icon with the receiver.

There are many possibilities to refill the balance, for example: internet services, payment terminals, credit card, electronic payment systems etc.

You have to follow this link and enter your e-mail address, that you have entered while registrating. Then you will receive a letter with instructions for restoring the password. If you have forgotten your e-mail address that you entered during registration, you should contact the Skype support team.

Download and install Skype absolutely free on your computer or any compatible device. Then at the first start you will need to create a new Skype account. It's necessary to fill in all the given fields. Be sure to enter your e-mail - it will provide an opportunity to restore the password in case of loss.

Your Skype Credit balance prolongs its activity for another 180 days after the last successful call via SkypeOut. Account balance expires after 180 days of inactivity. In the case of long inactivity you will receive an e-mail notification.

Instant messages, audio and video communication between Skype users is absolutely free of charge! The prices of mobile and landline calls can be found in the relevant chapter "Prices" on the Skype website.

No, after the payment all the private information is being completely deleted .

Skype has a reliable system of safety and encryption. You can be sure that your conversation (except for the calls to landlines numbers), file sharing and text messaging can not be overheard or intercepted by anyone.

If you have IIS / Apache or similar software installed that runs on ports 80 and / or 443 and you notice a conflict (such as a failure to start the application or inoperability), it is probably due to the fact that Skype is configured to use the same ports as these programs.

There two ways to solve this problem:

— In Skype menu Tools > Options > Connection take away the checkmark "Use port 80 and 443 as alternatives for incoming connections". Now Skype will use the port that was entered in the field (make sure that this port is opened in your router or firewall).
— Configure your HTTP service / IIS / other software to use another port for connection.

Try the test call to the user Echo123. Then check up the programme settings in Skype > Tools > Options > Audio settings. Repeat the test call. If there are no changes, contact the support team. The same is to do if your conversation partner can not hear you.

Yes, it is. The entire Contact list is stored on a Skype server and if you log in from another computer, the list will be downloaded from the server automatically.

First, you have to fill your SkypeOut Credit balance. You can do it on the official website or through dealers. Then, go to "View > Call phones" in Skype menu and dial the number you need. The number should be dialed in the international format and with the "+" sign.

Echo123 is an embedded service that gives a possibility to test the functionality of the headset, ear-phones and microphone as well as the correctness of their settings. Just add the user "echo123" to your contact list. When you call echo123, an automatic system will answer. It will offer you to record a 10-seconds-long message, which will be played to you afterwards. In this way you will check the functionality and quality of your headset.

This error means that you have not closed Skype properly last time.

Skype can not find a sound playing device in your computer (ear-phones or speakers).

The Skype programme has not detected your microphone or headset.

This is a service that allows users to make worldwide calls to the landline and mobile numbers at law prices.

Minimal connection speed for audio conferencing in Skype is a dial-up at a speed of 33.6 kbit / s with a modem. For the best results, use a high-speed connection (cable, xDSL, etc. more than 256 kbit / s), moreover, it will give an opportunity to use video conferencing. Connection via satellite internet is not recommended because long delays in communication are possible. As for text messages, there are no restrictions on Internet connection types there.

Almost all models of ear-phones and microphones are suitable for the calls in Skype. For the list of additional devices see "Equipment".

In the Skype company they have done a great job to translate the application into all possible languages. To choose a comfortable language go to Tools > Change language.

The program really works steadily, providing a good quality of sound and video. It also has low prices for national and international calls, via the SkypeOut service.