MySpace Team Expands To Strengthen Security

The popular social networking site MySpace is trying to involve users and
advertisers as it embarks to get rid of predators and spammers. Experts
say digital miscreants increasingly make damaging attacks on this site.
They direct users to the website that are sexually explicit, stifle
inboxes with spam mails, and exploit the trust of users to acquire
passwords in order to commit identity theft.

According to Marc Gaffan, an expert in online fraud, social networking
sites are advantageous places for digital criminals who often manipulate
the trust users have when interacting with so-called friends.

Originally, malicious software developers relied primarily on recipients
of e-mails to click on attachments that contained malware, so that their
wares could spread. As e-mail recipients became more familiar, the
writers turned to exploit vulnerabilities in e-mail programs, browsers
and Microsoft's Windows operating system. As patches arrive for those
security holes, virus and worm creators seek other venues like social
networking sites - lucrative because of its sheer size.

MySpace has realized the threat, therefore it's shoring up efforts
regarding security, said the chief security official of the site Hemanshu
Nigam.

Before joining MySpace Nigam had stints as federal prosecutor in the
fields of child pornography & consumer crime cases. He had also led the
security team at Microsoft Corp and the America's Motion Picture
Association. In May 2006, Nigam accepted MySpace's job offer to reinforce
security and safety of the site.

Nigam stated security to be the first priority owing to its critical
meaning for the community of individual and business users. If
advertisers on the site do not feel comfortable to be on a site that's
viewed as unsecured and unsafe, it leads to loss of revenues for the
website. MySpace is fast expanding its group of lawyers, software
engineers, and other specialists who stay vigilant for doubtful activity,
educating users on attack prevention and trace offenders.

Recently, Nigam formed a team to perform Content Assurance for the
company. Its job includes posting fake profiles, acting as if they are
vulnerable targets, so that they can keep tab on sexual predators and
spammers.

MySpace will also launch an education campaign intended for users to be
careful and select tools that confine the access of their profiles to
only trusted people.

Related article: MySpace Wants Apple To Update QuickTime

» SPAMfighter News - 12/29/2006