I found the following message to be helpful , as no hacker activity occurred after I posted it tonight. They will either consider it a challenge ...or a curse! :
(type this on status bar of IM):

"WELCOME TO THE IRON BOX! TAKE THE BLUE PILL AND YOU WILL WAKE UP< FORGET THIS EVER HAPPENED."

references for the unknowing: 1) IRON BOX: Hacker Jargon for "trap", see Dictionary
2) BLUE PILL: the sleep pill, see movie "The Matrix"

GOOD LUCK! (I know, still doesn't catch the hacker and give him what he deserves...but he may not sleep at night tonight for wondering.) Of course, if you hear about how to create this proverbial Iron Box, please email me, as I'd be interested. really interested.