llamasonic

Troutbot mystery solved: Project Upstream

I’ve been getting odd and cryptic messages through AIM from usernames PersonalTrout, ImplicitTrout and other trout-like nicks. I replied to a few of the messages as you would when a stranger messages, “who is this, how can I help you, etc.” The only replies I got were equally odd. Today I got a reply from my new fishy friend. Apparently there is a bot that harvests recently updated Twitter profile names and uses IM networks to bridge together 2 strangers with the intent of confusing both. Today I got a reply. Mystery solved. Glad to know I’m not being stalked by a crazy fisherman.

The Semi-Mini FAQ

Q: What is this?

A: It’s like a three-way phonecall - but over an IM, with a computer program creating the link.

Q: How did they get my screen name?

A: These bots search the recently updated pages of web sites (LiveJournal, Xanga, deviantArt, Twitter, etc.) to find screen names and connect random people.

Q: Did I just get h@x0r3d?

A: No, the bots aren’t malicious. And you’re not 1337, stop typing like that. They’re completely harmless.