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First Arrest Made in U.S. For Spimming 242
prostoalex writes "U.S. federal authorities have conducted the first arrest for spimming. Eighteen-year-old Anthony Greco was arrested for sending spam to instant messenger users of MySpace.com." From the article: "Greco had allegedly threatened to share his methods for spamming members of the group if MySpace.com didn't sign an exclusive marketing deal that would have legitimized the messages he was sending via the service."
Hmmmm. (Score:4, Funny)
You mean to tell me (Score:5, Funny)
You mean i gave my email address, password and credit card to some stranger? What type of place is this Intra-web and what type of a mess have I gotten myself into.
Re:You mean to tell me (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You mean to tell me (Score:2)
Arrested for spimming or extortion? (Score:5, Interesting)
So, the spimmer isn't really under arrest for spimming, but for extortion. Right?
correct.... (Score:2, Interesting)
From lawguru.com:
---
EXTORTION n. obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right (such as pretending to be an IRS agent). It is a felony in all states, except that a direct threat to harm the victim is usually treated as the crime of robbery. Blackmail is a form of extortion in which the threat is to expose e
Re:correct.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:correct.... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:correct.... (Score:2)
Re:Arrested for spimming or extortion? (Score:2)
CAN-SPAM claim is really dodgy (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Arrested for spimming or extortion? (Score:3, Informative)
Sounds like a slam dunk extortion case, making good on the threat would substantially increase the sentence. The guy is probably being told by his public defender that making good on his threat could likely add ten years to his sentence.
I
Hmmmm...Blackmail... (Score:5, Insightful)
What logic! What stupidity! What a maroon!
Re:Hmmmm...Blackmail... (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, you'd have to be stupid to be a maroon. Either that or mix red and purple and splash it on him.
Refrence (Score:5, Interesting)
Your quip was quite funny, but I think it might have been a cultural refrence, and not a typo. In old Warner-brothers cartoons, Bugs Bunny would say things like, 'What a iggit, what a maroon!' to insult people. I think the joke was that he didn't say 'idiot' and 'moron', but 'iggit' and 'maroon', words that only an iggit maroon would mispronounce. Either that, or I'm an iggit maroon who is missing the real joke. I'd lay odds at fifty-fifty either way.
(Dry, boring joke analysis over, you can wake up now.)
Re:Refrence (Score:2)
I'm not sure if Bugs Bunny/Warner Bros. meant it that way, however.
Re:Hmmmm...Blackmail... (Score:2)
"Yeah, that's the ticket! Blackmail a company into making what I'm doing legit! Since I know they won't do the legal way I'll force them into it using blackmail!"
It happens more than you might think. A few years back, a grad student in Colorado found a hole in Audible's web site and told Audible that he wouldn't release the vulnurability if they agreed to give him A Volvo T5, some cash, two Diamond Rios and a lifetime subscription to Audible [findarticles.com].
If I'd been the FBI agent assigned to that one, when it cam
Re:Hmmmm...Blackmail... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Hmmmm...Blackmail... (Score:3, Funny)
Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:5, Funny)
It's stupidiotic, and it's getting irritannoying.
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:5, Funny)
Spam on the refrigerator screen - Spood.
Spam on the toaster - Spoast.
Spam on the ice cream maker - Spooge.
Spooge?!? Now the pr0n industry has come full circle....
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
Sperm.
I win
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2, Redundant)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
Spimming is wrong. And bad. There should be a new, stronger word for spimming. Like badwrong, or badong. Yes, spimming is badong. From this moment, I will stand for the opposite of spimming: gnodab.
-- Kung Pow.. with liberties added :)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
I think the word you're looking for is strongbad [homestarrunner.com].
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:3, Funny)
If I had points I would moderate your post doubleplusgood
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
Assholes who invent stupid words. Yeesh. (Yeah, like the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act [slashdot.org].)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
hawk
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
If you don't know what I'm referring to just ask any lazy journalist.
Sorry, Too Late (Score:2)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
Re:Gah. "Spimming"? (Score:2)
do you have anything without so much spim in it?
Spimming (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Spimming (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Spimming (Score:2)
At least I'm willing to look retarded under my own name.
Good news! (Score:2)
Re:Good news! (Score:2)
hawk
Re:Good news! (Score:2)
He wasn't arrested for Spimming... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:He wasn't arrested for Spimming... (Score:2, Informative)
That doesn't mention extortion. Also, according to the LA Times [latimes.com]: Greco agreed to fly to Los Angeles to sign a contract and was arrested when he arrived Wednesday. He was charged with violating a federal anti-spam law, harming MySpace computers and attempting extortion.
Re:He wasn't arrested for Spimming... (Score:2)
First of all, this is a paraphrase of the attorney's words, not a direct quote, so there is the possibility of a misinterpretation on the part of the reporter. Also, if you read close, this quote doesn't say that the criminal charges are for spam over IM, it just says that the charges are against an individial who was sending spam over IM. There's a difference.
Re:He wasn't arrested for Spimming... (Score:2)
The real question (Score:4, Interesting)
*cough*RTFS*cough* (Score:1)
jeez, let the man work. . .
too funny (Score:3, Funny)
Which incidents like this *aren't* in the news? (Score:2)
Is anyone familliar with similar incidents?
Extortion is the biggie, not spimming (Score:5, Insightful)
Al Capone's accountant (Score:3, Insightful)
It also gives them an opportunity to test the law, to see if it's worth going after other spammers. If the courts decide to throw out the CAN-SPAM charge on the basis that the law is badly written, they've still got other crimes they can hit him on, so their time is
sample message (Score:3, Funny)
To learn the secrets of how to spam like I am spamming you right now.
Please send $25 to AnthonyGreco@myspace.com
PS, if you do not send $25 dollars within the next 3 days I will be forced to spam flood you. Have a nice day.
Luckily.... (Score:4, Informative)
IMHO until somebody figures out a way to spoof IM headers to make them look as if they're coming from somebody else, spimming is going to be far less of an annoyance than email spam.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Luckily.... (Score:2)
Although, you just gave me a horrible idea: A trojan that uses a stored password and buddy list to spim people under your name. Something like that could destroy instant messaging.
Dangerous MIPS code? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Dangerous MIPS code? (Score:2)
"Suspects were dangerously close to achieving physical fitness through a regimen of rewarding cardiovascular exercise."
Honestly, it could go forever
I hope he serves a long time... (Score:4, Insightful)
there is no excuse for this at all.
this is intentionally degrading other people's lives for you own greed. it is the (or my) definition of evil.
Re:I hope he serves a long time... (Score:2)
It just doesn't sound as cool without the James Earl Jones voice though.
Re:I hope he serves a long time... (Score:2)
I hope he gets the punishment to fit his crime as given in the law. Wishing bodily harm on someone is rather barbaric.
WTF is Spimming? (Score:2)
Re:WTF is Spimming? (Score:2, Informative)
Some 42% of America's 134 million online adults use instant messaging and almost a third of those instant message users have gotten "spim" - or unsolicited commercial instant messages. That translates into nearly 17 million adults who have gotten the instant-message version of spam.
Extortion, not spimming... (Score:3, Insightful)
Semantics of the Charge (Score:2)
I don't remember the last time that someone took efforts to restrain themselves from hawking their wares, even in the comfort of my own home. If you don't believe me, check the 'Do Not Call' [donotcall.gov] list.
There are no heroes here, just the lesser of two evils.
Work For Spam (Score:3, Interesting)
I haven't even gotten any SpIm but I can't see how it's anywhere near as bad as spam.
1) I don't store my IM's forever (I don't store them at all)
2) I don't accept IM's from strangers
3) IM's are synchronous. So, I won't turn on my computer to find 100 spims waiting for me.
best part of TFA (Score:2, Funny)
There's just something hilarious about that. Would have loved to see his face when he figured out what they tricked him into. Dumbass...
A little social engineering right back atcha', baby!
Best part: (Score:5, Funny)
h5<>0r says: U R t0taLLY P0Wn3D unL355 u b0W t0 mY L33+ XK1LL5!
tanderson says: Okay. But you have to show up to sign an agreement.
tanderson says: LOL
h5<>0r says: 5W33+!1!!1 j00 r0X0R!
h5<>0r says: w51+! y u l5ff1Ng @ me?
tanderson says: What?
tanderson says: Sorry, just remembering a Seinfeld episode I saw last night
h5<>0r says: 0
h5<>0r says: y3h t5t s00p n5Z1's funny
h5<>0r says: 50, 1 sh0 uP on m0nd5y, OKBYU?
tanderson says: Yeah, that's great
tanderson says: You want a limo?
h5<>0r says: 0 b0y r1LLY!!?!11?/
h5<>0r says: U b3+!
tanderson says: Sucker
h5<>0r says: wa+?????????
tanderson says: Sorry
tanderson says: My granddaughter's here
tanderson says: I was just offering her some candy
h5<>0r says: 0h y5h candy's good
h5<>0r says: w1ll 1 G3t b3nif3+ts/!??!
Other IM terminology (Score:3, Funny)
If "spimming" is IM-speak for spamming, then I guess chatting via IM is called "chitting"?
Re:Other IM terminology (Score:2)
Nothing to see here, move along.... (Score:2)
As much as I hate abuses by cops, feds, my government, and republicans...assholes like this guy really do deserve to be hung from their heels.
Extortion (Score:2)
I mean, I'm not saying I approve at all, and she should definitely be arrested, but I just kinda think sometimes that it needs to be open season on corporations.
First Arrest Made in U.S. For Spimming (Score:2, Interesting)
Did he honestly think he could get away with this? Uhmm, never mind. TFA explains that he did.
Hahahaha (Score:2)
Hope he spends a long time in the can.
Spim is not MSN Messenger (Score:4, Interesting)
It allows network messages to be sent via the Messenger Service.
I used to work at an ISP in my area, we got calls all the time with those "Your computer will reboot" pop ups. We walked the user through disabling the Messenger Service (Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services), then spent 5 minutes explaining that Messenger Service and MSN Messenger are two diferent programs. Finally, we wraped up the conversation by telling them to buy a firewall, or switch to our dsl service, and get a free router.
I now use Messenger Service at work to tell end users that I need to install patches, and to please call me when they are at their computer. The service doesn't allow two way conversations (unless you know the command line).
You can download programs that use this service, and even if the person DOES NOT have MSN Messenger, they will still get a pop up. Granted, they have to be exposed, or the firewall/router breached.
So, when you read the rest of these replies, remember that MSN and Messenger are two diferent things. You can't "Block" Messenger adds, or "Only allow friends" messages. mater of fact, there is NO gui for Messenger.
I think that if the company looks deaper, they will find that this guy wasn't using their IM service, but in fact was using a hole in the FW, and a service that is still active.
No, I don't think this company has seen the last of this exploit!
Later
minor fudbusting (Score:2)
Only himself to blame (Score:2)
He should have used xspim [wisc.edu].
Found in Greco's Pocket... (Score:2)
Found in the US teenager's pocket was a to-do list:
Hey, Peter. Watch out for yer cornhole, man.
To paraphrase W.C. Fields (Score:2)
Re:I'm not normally a spelling Nazi... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:I'm not normally a spelling Nazi... (Score:2, Informative)
No Mistake (Score:2)
A U.S teenager has become the first person to be arrested on suspicion of sending unsolicited instant messages--or spim.
Re:I'm not normally a spelling Nazi... (Score:2, Funny)
And the same people complain about bugs in millions of lines of code.
Re:I'm not normally a spelling Nazi... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:I'm not normally a spelling Nazi... (Score:5, Funny)
How fucking hard is it to spell "fucking"?
Re:I'm not normally a spelling Nazi... (Score:2)
How fucking hard is it to spell "fucking"?
He's not from around here. I saw him drop out of this worm-hole-looking thing. Big and swirly-like, you know what I mean.
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:2, Informative)
No.
The first amendment says Congress shall make no law abridging the right of free speech. It does not say I am required to listen it or read it.
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:4, Insightful)
I picture you writing, a la the old Bart Simpson blackboard gag, "IT'S A PROPERTY RIGHTS ISSUE, NOT A FREE SPEECH ISSUE."
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:5, Insightful)
1. this isn't "speech", it's blackmail
2. this isn't "speech", it's advertising
3. it's not about forcing him to stop, it's about not letting him force us to listen
4. free speech doesn't cover costs e.g. you can't steal other people's paper to print your opinions on
I think *YOU* are eroding the First Amendment by making it sound like anything you say is "speech" and should be covered, which is blatantly false and could lead some people to think the whole thing should be thrown out.
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:2)
If I know you cheated on your wife, it's legal for me to tell her you cheated on her. It's not legal to blackmail you.
Extortion is a crime. Period.
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:5, Informative)
The difference is really simple. Larry and the spammers/spimmers should both have the right to publish whatever they want to. But Larry has no way to, *force* me to view what he publishes. I have to get out of my chair, go to the store and exchange money to get it. OTOH spammers/spimmers both shove it down my throat. Thanks to fine tools like SapmAssassin and a very aggresive
In short the problem is not that the spimmers are saying the things they are saying. It is that they are forcing you to listen. Which is a bad thing.
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:2)
In most cases, I think the problem is both. The vast majority, if not all, of the SPAM I get is fraudulent.
For example, here's an "OEM software" SPAM. The from header says it's from Hotmail, but the Received headers show that that's a lie. It was actually sent from an swbell.net DSL line. The included URL resolves to four different IP address es at four diff
Re:Freedom of Speech (Score:2)
Re:is spam a USA society problem ? (Score:5, Funny)
Thanks a bunch.
Re:is spam a USA society problem ? (Score:2)
*and are kidding probably
Re:is spam a USA society problem ? (Score:2)
The reason most spam targets people with US dollars to spend is that the US is where you'll find more people actual money to spend. It's because even after an economic recession coming out of the 1990's, and the 9/11 impact on our economy, we produce more monetary horsepower per person than anywhere else in the world - and as a rule, w
Re:And banks and mortgage peddlers walk (Score:2)
So why isn't the attorney general going after the advertisers? Because he can't enforce laws which don't exist, and I like things that way, thank you very much.