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Why Hack Facebook When You Can Just Build A Silly Viral App Instead?

from the seems-counter-productive dept

Mon, Dec 17th 2007 12:03pm — Mike Masnick

There's some buzz over the fact that Facebook is now suing a Canadian porn firm for trying to hack into its servers. The details are pretty light at this point, but a reasonable guess would be that, if the company really was hacking Facebook, it was trying to get info in order to spam Facebook's users. Still, considering that Facebook allows companies to create their own apps on its platform, it makes you wonder why anyone would bother hacking Facebook, when you could get a much better result by building a viral app within the site. Of course, that would assume whoever tried to hack into Facebook actually thought things through -- and that may be assuming too much.

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Filed Under: hacking, porn
Companies: facebook, slickcash

12 Comments

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Tom, 17 Dec 2007 @ 12:11pm

Stupid Canadian perverts. All of the apps on facebook are already pointless (Vampires, Zombies, and much more), so they'd have more success making an app than trying to get personal info by hacking.

Noobs
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K, 17 Dec 2007 @ 12:19pm

But you do know that people on facebook do have to approve the app.
they won;t review it unless it has 5 users. and even then i doubt i would have passed their inspection. but what do I know.
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TheDock22, 17 Dec 2007 @ 12:24pm

I like the TravelIQ app. It is kind of fun to see that I really did not pay attention in geography class.
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Josh, 17 Dec 2007 @ 12:29pm

Interesting
That's an interesting idea, using the apps for getting user's info or something. If such an idea takes off (or has taken off), this could really cause some problems for facebook.

BTW, I agree, the TravelIQ is pretty cool.
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AC, 17 Dec 2007 @ 12:52pm

1 - Perfect technology to deliver virtual "bitch-slap"

2 - Release freeware teaser in the form of a facebook app

3 - Release full version ($$$) that can deliver said bitch slap to anyone on any computer anywhere in the world, w/out the need for pre-installed software.

3 - Profit! in addition to knowing that I caused the internet to devolve into a glorified pimp fight.
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Jon, 17 Dec 2007 @ 1:18pm

Facebook App Privacy Invasion
This is the thing I hate about facebook apps. They require that you give the app access to your personal information (or, at least, the confirmation page makes it seem that way... I haven't seen any explanation of how much data the app can harvest from you).

This may be fine for some apps, which do something useful for you by accessing some of your info, but not all apps appear to use your info at all. Things like "Magic 8-ball"... why would that app need to know anything about me with the possible exception of my name (and even that need would be dubious)?

Facebook needs to allow app creators to specify what information from your profile they need in order to function. Then on the confirm/deny page it can list the information the app will use, so that you can accept or deny the request intelligently. I've been denying most apps simply because I don't feel like I should give out my personal information just so that I can "play zombie" or whatever.
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CB, 17 Dec 2007 @ 1:23pm

Whats Facebook... lol
Is it one of those myspace things where people post all their personal pictures and info online so advertisers and dirtbags can see? nice
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TheDock22, 17 Dec 2007 @ 1:28pm

Re:
Is it one of those myspace things where people post all their personal pictures and info online so advertisers and dirtbags can see? nice

Actually Facebook forces you to approve people who can see your profile...so you can't make your profile "public" like facebook. Now advertisers can get your personal info if you allow apps, but mostly not.
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mouse, 17 Dec 2007 @ 3:25pm

Re: Re:
Actually Facebook forces you to approve people who can see your profile...so you can't make your profile "public" like facebook

[assuming you meant 'myspace' not 'facebook' in the last part]

Facebook profiles can be public to any logged in user - the option is kind of hidden backwards, but having joined as not part of a network early last spring, the default for mine was public to everyone, rather than [what seems to be the default now] friends/groups-only.
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Ford, 31 Aug 2008 @ 12:55pm

Hi. I am a hacker. I can you a myspace, facebook, aol, yahoo, gmail, hotmail...etc password. I do charge a fee to get a password. Once I get the password I'll show you proof I have it. Are you interested? E-mail me at Fordf202006@yahoo.com
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de niro, 7 Jun 2009 @ 5:27am

yeah sure... and i'm robert de niro, u can take a picture with me.. fuck off, ur lame..
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ford, 20 Apr 2010 @ 11:54pm

Hi. EMAIL ME!!! I'm hacker. Can get you a myspace, facebook,yahoo,msn/hotmail, gmail, aol...etc password. I do charge money though,but will show proof i have it. Are you interested? please email me at fordtrucks90@live.com (I was formly known as fordf202006 on yahoo but my account was deleted)
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