Salmon of doubt

[robotech_master]

If you're logged onto AIM and make a LiveJournal update, you may attract the attention of a Salmon.

There's this bot out there that goes by the name of <Adjective>Salmon. NoteworthySalmon, ReanimatedSalmon, etc. that will message both you and some other AIM user who's just updated their LJ. It will start the message with an inflammatory comment to one (or both?) of you to try to get an argument going. Each of you will appear as <Adjective>Salmon to the other; neither of you will be able to see the other's real handle, unless you choose to tell it to them (or the operator chooses to tell you afterward).

It's just a modern version of the old conference call prank, where you conference two complete strangers (or known enemies) together and listen to what happens. Don't be fooled. If you get a Salmongram, let the fellow on the other end know what's going on.

(It's also possible that, rather than another innocent bystander, you'll be connected with an "operator," the person who monitors and/or sets up the conversations.)

More information here.

Comments

[foomf.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a bizarre form of phishing.

[robotech-master.livejournal.com]

Technically, I'm not sure you could really call it "phishing" (unless you're just punning on the name). They're not trying to trick you into giving your personal information to them in the guise of a trusted site; they're just trying to pick a fight between you and a complete stranger. Double-headed trolling, maybe.

[foomf.livejournal.com]

Yes, I am punning on the name.

And, if they DO manage to cause a fight they can measure the success of that fight and verify that their connection information is correct, which can then be used to create a list for further attack.