For your safety, ways of contact via IM have been removed

Randy · 10-10-2005, 03:02 PM

Every members' instant messaging contact information has been removed from Google Community. This was done in order to help improve the safety and security of our members' privacy. Because of the recent problem we've had with fraudulent requests for money, we chose to get rid of information regarding ways to instantly contact our members. Removing the contact information stops the scammer(s) ability to fraudulently contact our members. If you find any way that instant contact information is still listed, please PM either me or Darren with "URGENT" in the subject line.

I strongly encourage all Google Community members to read the following: Identify fraudulent e-mail and phishing schemes

RatPat · 10-10-2005, 04:04 PM

If i may post...I belive if you wish to contact an Admin or Moderaor do it through The GC PMing System. I also think that The GC admins as well as Mods should Never use any IMing system for GC. Maybe this will make if safer. maybe i just restated what has been said...If you DO Decide use a Program you should Post it in a Forum, Then Lock it so no one can make any Replys to it. With that said maybe this Wont happean Again. Im not Blaming it on anyone for what they are doing or what they do, Simply stating a Better Security System for GC.

-Ratpat

intelliot · 10-10-2005, 05:33 PM

You could add instant messenger info to your signature, at your own risk (just don't immediately trust everyone who contacts you).

Randy · 10-10-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelliot

You could add instant messenger info to your signature, at your own risk (just don't immediately trust everyone who contacts you).

I would highly recommend not doing that. It is best to just keep your settings as they are, and let the GC administration decide when it is safe to start displaying instant messaging info again.

intelliot · 10-10-2005, 06:25 PM

Why would more time make a difference? Even if the current scammer is prosecuted, what's to prevent someone else from coming by?

Randy · 10-10-2005, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intelliot

Why would more time make a difference? Even if the current scammer is prosecuted, what's to prevent someone else from coming by?

Nothing is to stop someone else from coming by. But, we know that at this time someone is attempting to scam our members. It is the right thing to do to protect them to the best of our abilities. If a known security threat is present, it would be irresponsible to not do anything to try to prevent the safety of our members from being endangered. Would you not agree?

intelliot · 10-10-2005, 06:43 PM

I do agree. It's always simple to contact a member via PM anyway. All major forums I can see, don't make instant messenger info tavailable. I think it's a good decision.

Randy · 10-10-2005, 06:46 PM

Okay, great. I think it is a good decision also. This may end up being a permanent change, but we'll have to see. Hopefully this scammer will learn a lesson somehow or another and we can go back to business as normal.

mondine · 10-10-2005, 08:43 PM

That's probably a sensible precaution to make, although unfortunate that it's necesary.
I don't really see it as a problem, as the GC PM system is there, if someone wants to request contact information. And that way, the Community resources are there to use, to see someone's profile, and maybe look over their posting history, to get an idea of whom you're talking to. And the credentials of people claiming to be 'official representatives' are easy to check.

Of course, there's no substitute for common sense. Any request for personal, and especially financial details should be regarded with caution. And a 'business' proposal from a stranger via instant message should immediately be viewed with skepticism.

AmericanIdiot1721 · 10-10-2005, 08:48 PM

I agree. I don't think there's anything wrong with the PM system, just how users are sure if the supposed 'admins' or 'moderators' are the actual admins or moderators.

A good idea would be to PM a member prior to talking to them on IM services.

It's amazing how such an incident would spark the whole GC process and change it's whole opinion on the issue of security...

10-10-2005, 03:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randy Google Guru Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,133 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	For your safety, ways of contact via IM have been removed Every members' instant messaging contact information has been removed from Google Community. This was done in order to help improve the safety and security of our members' privacy. Because of the recent problem we've had with fraudulent requests for money, we chose to get rid of information regarding ways to instantly contact our members. Removing the contact information stops the scammer(s) ability to fraudulently contact our members. If you find any way that instant contact information is still listed, please PM either me or Darren with "URGENT" in the subject line. I strongly encourage all Google Community members to read the following: Identify fraudulent e-mail and phishing schemes

10-10-2005, 08:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
mondine Google Guru Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC. Posts: 4,002 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	That's probably a sensible precaution to make, although unfortunate that it's necesary. I don't really see it as a problem, as the GC PM system is there, if someone wants to request contact information. And that way, the Community resources are there to use, to see someone's profile, and maybe look over their posting history, to get an idea of whom you're talking to. And the credentials of people claiming to be 'official representatives' are easy to check. Of course, there's no substitute for common sense. Any request for personal, and especially financial details should be regarded with caution. And a 'business' proposal from a stranger via instant message should immediately be viewed with skepticism. __________________

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Cutting data different ways	skbohler	Web Browsers and Statistics	2	04-11-2007 02:32 PM
Google discusses online child safety with Congress - Today's Zaman	News Alerts	Google in the News	0	02-07-2007 04:06 PM
Which ways you use to get more traffic?	devang	Google AdWords & AdSense Forum	30	10-07-2006 07:57 AM
Top 11 ways geeks were naughty this year	geekerati	Chit Chat	8	12-28-2005 04:13 PM
Ways to make GC more popular...	HiddenNook	GC Announcements	1	01-07-2005 11:37 PM

10-10-2005, 04:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
RatPat Senior Googler Join Date: May 2005 Location: Spring Hill,Fl Posts: 239 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If i may post...I belive if you wish to contact an Admin or Moderaor do it through The GC PMing System. I also think that The GC admins as well as Mods should Never use any IMing system for GC. Maybe this will make if safer. maybe i just restated what has been said...If you DO Decide use a Program you should Post it in a Forum, Then Lock it so no one can make any Replys to it. With that said maybe this Wont happean Again. Im not Blaming it on anyone for what they are doing or what they do, Simply stating a Better Security System for GC. -Ratpat

10-10-2005, 05:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
intelliot Google Guru Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,527 Thanks: 15 Thanked 46 Times in 26 Posts	You could add instant messenger info to your signature, at your own risk (just don't immediately trust everyone who contacts you).

10-10-2005, 06:25 PM	#5 (permalink)
intelliot Google Guru Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,527 Thanks: 15 Thanked 46 Times in 26 Posts	Why would more time make a difference? Even if the current scammer is prosecuted, what's to prevent someone else from coming by?

10-10-2005, 06:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
intelliot Google Guru Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,527 Thanks: 15 Thanked 46 Times in 26 Posts	I do agree. It's always simple to contact a member via PM anyway. All major forums I can see, don't make instant messenger info tavailable. I think it's a good decision.

10-10-2005, 06:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Randy Google Guru Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2,133 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Okay, great. I think it is a good decision also. This may end up being a permanent change, but we'll have to see. Hopefully this scammer will learn a lesson somehow or another and we can go back to business as normal.

10-10-2005, 08:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
AmericanIdiot1721 Senior Googler Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 185 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I agree. I don't think there's anything wrong with the PM system, just how users are sure if the supposed 'admins' or 'moderators' are the actual admins or moderators. A good idea would be to PM a member prior to talking to them on IM services. It's amazing how such an incident would spark the whole GC process and change it's whole opinion on the issue of security...

GoogleCommunity Sponsor
Use coupon "forum" for 50% Off!


Sponsored Links