Public Service Announcement

[vakkotaur]

If you posted the "LJ Mojo" thingie that showed up about month or so ago, you'd best go check that entry. You'll likely want to edit it, at the least. It was set up by a troll. The graphic has been replaced by a.. rather scatological photo.

Comments

[gilmorelion.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads up! Mine hadn't been "tweaked" yet, but I deleted it anyway.

[aatheus.livejournal.com]

As long as it's not a pic from goatse.cx, it's tolerable.

[haystack.livejournal.com]

Ah, but it was from goatse.cx. I think this whole thing's a wake-up call for those who blindly trust on the 'Net; it might have good effects even if that wasn't the intent of those who executed this bit of nasty prankery.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

This is at least the second time something like this has been perpetrated. The last time it was an "IQ test" that didn't care what the answers were, but gave a randomly assigned well over 100 number to the taker - but tracked things so only the taker saw that. Everyone saw a randomly assigned well below 100 number when the results were posted. Insulting, but at least not disgusting. So far nobody has actually been clever about the switch, which is disappointing. It's just been for insult and shock, rather any genuine wit.

[haystack.livejournal.com]

I do remember the IQ test thing, and that (at the time) I got a chuckle out of it, as did at least a few of my friends who use this LJ thing as well. It was a rather silly thing, but --again-- raised a point of warning to those who play and ply graphical memes.

[aatheus.livejournal.com]

Aiee!

*beats the person to death with a haddock*

[kinkyturtle.livejournal.com]

I don't even remember that. What was the upfront premise?

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

The thing wanted to know your (or anybody's) LJ username and then showed the list of LJ friends for that username and asked which ones you (assuming you entered you own username) had dated. It then generated some graphic supposedly showing more 'mojo' for a greater percentage, but it might well have been random.

[ladyniniane.livejournal.com]

Actually it was a bit more devious than that. Apparently, the perpetrator (whose LJ account has now been suspended, BTW) collected all of the entered data in a database, which has now been posted on the 'Net for all to see:

http://ljmojo.whitehat.net.nz/search/username_here

(Change 'username_here' to whatever your LJ name is to see what was recorded.)

This is the same character who created/spread the infamous 'friend-the-world' script in LJ - I got caught in an early wave of that, complained bitterly to LJ, who replied, 'We cannot control who friends you, just do not friend them back.' (True, but I was still royally irritated.)

I've got a feeling that this latest episode may result in some changes in LJ.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

Ah, but the data is pretty much worthless. Anyone could have entered anything, about anyone.

[ladyniniane.livejournal.com]

Agreed (that the data is not worth much), but the collection of it and using it elsewhere (along with failing to verify ages of the users involved) is a TOS violation on LJ and (I suspect) on whatever server he's got it stored.

That will put LJ on edge because they could potentially be held liable for any fallout - remember how SixApart caught holy hell some months back because of DOS attacks involving one of their clients.

[vakkotaur.livejournal.com]

LJ/6Apart hunting down this turkey would be a good thing indeed. As for changes to LJ, I'm not sure I can see much that can be done that would be both reasonable and effective. Then, all too many times things get a response that completely fails to be either.

[thecanuckguy.livejournal.com]

This is why I don't post things like that to my blog. Usually I blow them off (because they seem way too childish, from what I learned about it from this PSA, this qualifies) If they seem somewhat interesting I might take them, but I never use the "post this code to your LJ link", I *might* discuss my results as a reply to the thread I originally saw it in if I want.

The rare times I do catch a meme, it's all my typing, referring to questions thrown at me by a trusted friend. And, because they're my friends, they're always fun to do!