Editor's Note: [02-05-2022] Due to the nature of this article, explicit language is used for educational purposes. This article was updated to reflect the past tense as AIM no longer exists in its original form. The AOL software that is available uses a different protocol than it did back then, so I would assume it no longer works for AOL either. AOL webmail is still a thing, but most words/phrases that used to be restricted are no longer. "Fuck", "bitch", "bastard", "cunt" appear to still be banned.

This secret allowed you to create a Screen Name with a restricted word like "shit", "bitch", "fuk", and a few others. This secret worked for both AOL and AIM:

1: Go to the create Screen Name page located at: http://aim.aol.com/aimnew/aimreg.adp?promo=106712&pageset=Aim&client=no

2: Use one of the following strings: babcock, cocke, fucci, drape, grape, jrape, krape, rapen, crape, drape, grape, jrape, krape, rapen, rapel, cocke, babcock, fucci

3: Include the restricted word. (Example: FuccinShitBitch)

4: Create your Screen Name as usual!

Note: The process for AOL was similar, except instead of going to the AIM URL, one would just use the strings on the AOL 'Create a Screen Name' window. There were likely even more strings that allowed the creation of restricted words!