Aim Bots? WTF?
11-17-2005, 12:01 AM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Garland, TX
Posts: 224
From the moviephone bot:
[00:11:57] MovieFone: This MoviePhone bot is built and maintained by a company called InfiniteAgent. At InfiniteAgent we do track the different requests that are made and the answers that we are sending back to you so that we can make sure the robot is working properly. We do track your screen name so that we can keep a record of whether you are opted in or opted out to alerts. Type more.
[00:12:15] MovieFone: Other than your screen name, your zip code if you search for a movie & your history of interaction with the bot we have no other personal information that is directly related to you. Type more.
[00:13:05] MovieFone: The other information that we do have is just the plain text of questions or comments [what people type] and the different things that the bot has responded with. We use this information in an aggregated, anonymous form to make sure things are running smoothly. And we make sure that the folks at AIM know what people are asking for too. Type more.
[00:13:28] MovieFone: Since sometimes when you follow a link in a robot you will end up on an AOL or other outside site you may be interested in reading their Privacy Policy. You're smart for asking about privacy! Type M to get to the Main Menu!
So... it isn't even AOL that added these. It seems to me a company found the exploit and is now making money off of it.
Wouldn't be surprised if more of these show up.
Here's the other bot, looks to be almost the same:
[00:14:42] ShoppingBuddy: ShoppingBuddy is built and maintained by a company called InfiniteAgent. At InfiniteAgent we do track the different requests that are made and the answers that we are sending back to you so that we can make sure the robot is working properly. Type more
[00:15:25] ShoppingBuddy: Other than your screen name we have no other personal information that is directly related to you. Type more.
[00:15:36] ShoppingBuddy: The other information that we do have is just the plain text of questions. comments and searches [what people type] and the different things that the bot has responded with. We use this information in an aggregated, anonymous form to make sure things are running smoothly. And we make sure that the folks at AOL know what people are asking for too. Type more.
[00:15:46] ShoppingBuddy: Since sometimes when you follow a link in a robot you will end up on an AOL or other outside site you may be interested in reading their Privacy Policy. You're smart for asking about privacy!
This one keeps less information, though I'm wondering if it keeps track of what you shop for, and sells that info to companies to send spam to <screenname>@aol.com email addresses. IIRC, AIM screennames automatically get <screenname>@aol.com email addresses. At least mine did, then again I used AOL for a week while my cable was installed after I moved.
Originally Posted by LameAssBot
[00:11:57] MovieFone: This MoviePhone bot is built and maintained by a company called InfiniteAgent. At InfiniteAgent we do track the different requests that are made and the answers that we are sending back to you so that we can make sure the robot is working properly. We do track your screen name so that we can keep a record of whether you are opted in or opted out to alerts. Type more.
[00:12:15] MovieFone: Other than your screen name, your zip code if you search for a movie & your history of interaction with the bot we have no other personal information that is directly related to you. Type more.
[00:13:05] MovieFone: The other information that we do have is just the plain text of questions or comments [what people type] and the different things that the bot has responded with. We use this information in an aggregated, anonymous form to make sure things are running smoothly. And we make sure that the folks at AIM know what people are asking for too. Type more.
[00:13:28] MovieFone: Since sometimes when you follow a link in a robot you will end up on an AOL or other outside site you may be interested in reading their Privacy Policy. You're smart for asking about privacy! Type M to get to the Main Menu!
So... it isn't even AOL that added these. It seems to me a company found the exploit and is now making money off of it.
Wouldn't be surprised if more of these show up.
Here's the other bot, looks to be almost the same:
Originally Posted by LameAssShoppingBot
[00:14:42] ShoppingBuddy: ShoppingBuddy is built and maintained by a company called InfiniteAgent. At InfiniteAgent we do track the different requests that are made and the answers that we are sending back to you so that we can make sure the robot is working properly. Type more
[00:15:25] ShoppingBuddy: Other than your screen name we have no other personal information that is directly related to you. Type more.
[00:15:36] ShoppingBuddy: The other information that we do have is just the plain text of questions. comments and searches [what people type] and the different things that the bot has responded with. We use this information in an aggregated, anonymous form to make sure things are running smoothly. And we make sure that the folks at AOL know what people are asking for too. Type more.
[00:15:46] ShoppingBuddy: Since sometimes when you follow a link in a robot you will end up on an AOL or other outside site you may be interested in reading their Privacy Policy. You're smart for asking about privacy!
This one keeps less information, though I'm wondering if it keeps track of what you shop for, and sells that info to companies to send spam to <screenname>@aol.com email addresses. IIRC, AIM screennames automatically get <screenname>@aol.com email addresses. At least mine did, then again I used AOL for a week while my cable was installed after I moved.
11-17-2005, 12:44 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: WA
Posts: 1,312
Originally Posted by CrypticApathy' post='779132' date='Nov 16 2005, 09:44 PM
If they can get in to your aim that means someone else can too, there is a back door they are using. Granted they own the rights to AIM so they can do what they wish, but if there is a back door they know about someone else does too.
There is no backdoor ... the member lists are run server side, which they (the server) have control over. Your list is not read client side, hence why you can log in to your name on someone elses computer and have all your contacts show up.
Next time just say to yourself before you post, "Do I REALLY know what I'm talking about?"
11-17-2005, 01:35 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Wayne, NJ
Posts: 4,837
Originally Posted by sidewinderx7' post='779152' date='Nov 17 2005, 01:44 AM
There is no backdoor ... the member lists are run server side, which they (the server) have control over. Your list is not read client side, hence why you can log in to your name on someone elses computer and have all your contacts show up.
Next time just say to yourself before you post, "Do I REALLY know what I'm talking about?"
ya beat me to that one. i love when people assume things.
thats how the whole y2k bug thing broke out "OMG NUKES ARE GONNA GO OFF!!!"
anywho, here's AOL's story:
http://aimtoday.aol.com/aimbots
kevin.
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