Tech: Hacked?

Subject: Tech: Hacked?
From: John Hardly
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 10:35 AM

I just recieved spam through my private email address. This spam came addressed to "John Hardly" -- a name I use here and here alone. My email address is not public here.

Here, only three people (whom I trust), other than those with access to my profile, have been given my email address.

Has mudcat been hacked? Are others getting spam directed at their mudcat names but sent to their private emails?

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 11:26 AM

It doesn't take 'hacking' to get that kind of information... but yes... you're not the only one to recieve such spam...

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 11:37 AM

Hi, John -
It seems unlikely that it would come from our member database, but I suppose anything's possible. My wife has never given her e-mail address out for any purpose, since she can't figure out how to work it - but she still gets Spam.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: John Hardly
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 12:04 PM

I get spam all the time. This is different. It is addressed to "John Hardly", a name I use only here.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 12:07 PM

This it was probably generated from someone who visits (At least) mudcat...

Who knows....

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 12:17 PM

Is it possible you have given pointers that may lead to finding your email address here? I believe you make pots for example - perhaps a little more knowledge, eg. your web site if you have one could lead to someone finding that information.

Hacking is of course possible but I think some other explanation is more likely.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: Jeri
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 01:14 PM

Just speculating, but this is one of the reasons I hate mass mailings.
The people who send them often don't hide the recipient list. If one of those trusted peole has ever sent out an e-mail with your name and address and any recipient gets a worm while that message or your saved address is on their computer or after the spyware they didn't know they were infected with reports any addresses it can locate, you're screwed. If any server or router the e-mail goes through gets hacked, you're screwed. And whatever has to happen, it only has to happen once and nobody has to do anything intentionally bad.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: John Hardly
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 01:34 PM

good points Jon and Jeri.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 03:52 PM

Also spammers do generate random names. Any address of the format christian name at domain name will get random spam.

Just after buying a new domain I had a rash of spam and addressed to a variety of names at my domain.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: Brakn
Date: 02 Nov 05 - 04:08 PM

My wife has an email address........"her name" at hotmail etc. She has never used it and the only person who knows the address is me.

She gets spam.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 12:02 AM

Sometimes you can derive enough info from screen names / handles to work out that you know who you are meeting in another situation. I once stumbled into a bridge game which InOBU was leaving and mentioned to the opposing players that he was a fine lawyer. One opponent responded that he was across the table in a case the following Tuesday! And he was not on the screen as InOBU. There is another member of Mudcat that I recognise from his Mudcat name as an incredibly good rock guitarist who has a string of awards for writing film scores. I used to play bridge with him, too - and I could point you to his website and give you his email. There are people here who know who I am because I sign Arbuthnot and for no other reason.
A screen name usually has an associated email address. It only takes a little knowledge and a meeting in more than one situation to work it out sometimes.

Subject: RE: Tech: Hacked?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 03 Nov 05 - 12:20 AM

Dear Mr. Hardy,

Hacked YES!

There are webpages that "minions-in-training" are shuttled off to:]
Out of five possible levels the MudCat is number one (EASIEST)
Postings
Member Data
Photos
Personal Bios: addresses, telephone, e-mail

They are virtualy OPEN SOURCE

Max and Joe may have discover the ultimate "undercover" process...make it all so availabe and easy....no-one will want access....because their is no challenge....like using a gold-brick painted-black for a door-stop.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Became bore with MC "security" at the turn of the mellium...all is accessable....when you find an upon URL access through its portal...stick to it....it is probably one the SYSOPS use. Take my word for it....their is not much "FUN" here.

But if you can't get the address base - keep hacking - you have not even reached level one.