[ insider_reports_insider ]
Facebook Secret Crush On Sleazy Apps
David Utter
Staff Writer
2008-01-08
 Insider Reports RSS Feed
The Secret Crush/My Admirer app tossed off the Facebook social networking site required people to send it to other users, who would have to install it so the sender could use it.
 | | Facebook Secret Crush On Sleazy Apps |  |
Secret Crush first picked up attention when security vendor Fortinet noticed it on Facebook. Fortinet called the application "malicious" as it led people to install potentially unwanted software from adware distributor Zango.
However, Zango denied being affiliated with the app, now renamed to My Admirer. The Facebook app no longer brings up an iframe hosted by Zango, as opposed to what Fortinet discovered in its research.
The issue may be moot, as Webware reported Secret Crush has been banned from Facebook for violating the terms of service. "Good riddance," wrote Caroline McCarthy.
McAfee said the problem with Secret Crush wasn't just the third party link to download extra software. The way Secret Crush was distributed gave researcher Allysa Myers pause.
"Facebook is quickly becoming full of Apps that require you to send it to X number of friends before you can have their enticing toy. This is, plain and simple, a sleazy social engineering tactic," said Myers. "What do they have to gain by such a scheme?"
Good question.
About the Author:
David Utter is a business and technology writer for SecurityProNews and WebProNews.
More insider_reports_insider Articles
Insider Reports RSS Feed
|
|
iEntry 10th Anniversary
RSS
Archive
