Social networking spam
Encyclopedia
Social networking spam is spam
directed at users of internet social networking services such as MySpace
, Facebook
or LinkedIn
. Users of social networking services can send notes, that may include embedded links to other social network locations or even outside sites, to one another.
This is where the social network spammer comes in. Utilizing the social network's search tools, he/she can target a certain demographic segment of the users, or use common fan pages or groups to send notes to them from an account disguised as that of a real person. Such notes may include embedded links to pornographic or other product sites designed to sell something.
Stopping spam: It's not easy. Most sites have a “report spam/abuse” addresses. Spammers, however, frequently change their address from one throw-away account to another.
A new, more powerful form of viral marketing / spam / hacking was seen on Facebook in May, 2010, but could be used almost anywhere. Users follow a link to a seemingly harmless Facebook Fan page (Fan pages are used by businesses, and do not require their consent to become their Friend.) This Facebook Fan page was for "10 Big Fat Lies Women Tell Men." To view the "10 Lies" the user is directed to tap a series of keystrokes (CTRL-C, CTRL-V, etc.) that appear to be a harmless game or test. This copies and pastes a cryptic string of Javascript code into the URL (Address) field of the user's browser. Unknown to the user, the hacker's code automatically sends an invitation email to every Friend of the user. It automatically answers 'yes' to every security question ordinarily used to make certain this is what the user wanted to do. Emails are sent in the user's name to invite every one of their Friends, who will also be hacked the same way (since they all have Facebook accounts). The final purpose is to sell a product or obtain the victim's cellphone number for further criminal activities.
Some social networking sites also ask users to let them access their address books and contact lists and use email invites for viral marketing
. This is controversial as it requests the permission of the address book owner but not the owner of the email addresses within it. This situation is made more complex by users not reading what the information will be used for. The social networking site Quechup
, run by iDate corporation is a recent example. Quechup
was criticized by many users for misleading them and hiding the nature of the feature in the 'small print' of the site's terms. However, text that provided an unclear explanation of how the feature worked was part of the sign-up process, but failed to state exactly what would happen. This raises the issue of 'click happy' users 'opting-in' without first reading what they are accepting.
Spam (electronic)
Spam is the use of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately...
directed at users of internet social networking services such as MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
or LinkedIn
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a business-related social networking site. Founded in December 2002 and launched in May 2003, it is mainly used for professional networking. , LinkedIn reports more than 120 million registered users in more than 200 countries and territories. The site is available in English, French,...
. Users of social networking services can send notes, that may include embedded links to other social network locations or even outside sites, to one another.
This is where the social network spammer comes in. Utilizing the social network's search tools, he/she can target a certain demographic segment of the users, or use common fan pages or groups to send notes to them from an account disguised as that of a real person. Such notes may include embedded links to pornographic or other product sites designed to sell something.
Stopping spam: It's not easy. Most sites have a “report spam/abuse” addresses. Spammers, however, frequently change their address from one throw-away account to another.
A new, more powerful form of viral marketing / spam / hacking was seen on Facebook in May, 2010, but could be used almost anywhere. Users follow a link to a seemingly harmless Facebook Fan page (Fan pages are used by businesses, and do not require their consent to become their Friend.) This Facebook Fan page was for "10 Big Fat Lies Women Tell Men." To view the "10 Lies" the user is directed to tap a series of keystrokes (CTRL-C, CTRL-V, etc.) that appear to be a harmless game or test. This copies and pastes a cryptic string of Javascript code into the URL (Address) field of the user's browser. Unknown to the user, the hacker's code automatically sends an invitation email to every Friend of the user. It automatically answers 'yes' to every security question ordinarily used to make certain this is what the user wanted to do. Emails are sent in the user's name to invite every one of their Friends, who will also be hacked the same way (since they all have Facebook accounts). The final purpose is to sell a product or obtain the victim's cellphone number for further criminal activities.
Some social networking sites also ask users to let them access their address books and contact lists and use email invites for viral marketing
Viral marketing
Viral marketing, viral advertising, or marketing buzz are buzzwords referring to marketing techniques that use pre-existing social networks to produce increases in brand awareness or to achieve other marketing objectives through self-replicating viral processes, analogous to the spread of viruses...
. This is controversial as it requests the permission of the address book owner but not the owner of the email addresses within it. This situation is made more complex by users not reading what the information will be used for. The social networking site Quechup
Quechup
Quechup is a social networking website that came to prominence in 2007 when it used automatic email invitations for viral marketing to all the e-mail addresses in its members address books...
, run by iDate corporation is a recent example. Quechup
Quechup
Quechup is a social networking website that came to prominence in 2007 when it used automatic email invitations for viral marketing to all the e-mail addresses in its members address books...
was criticized by many users for misleading them and hiding the nature of the feature in the 'small print' of the site's terms. However, text that provided an unclear explanation of how the feature worked was part of the sign-up process, but failed to state exactly what would happen. This raises the issue of 'click happy' users 'opting-in' without first reading what they are accepting.