I’ve been getting odd and cryptic messages through AIM from usernames PersonalTrout, ImplicitTrout and other trout-like nicks. I replied as you would when a stranger messages, “who is this, how can I help you, etc.” The only replies were equally odd. Today I got a reply from a 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.
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.
Update: h/t to Tim
Looks like there is more history to this one. TheGreatHatsby article on Wikipedia for more trout / coho / salmon bot fishing.
Popularity: 100% [?]
[...] page that describes the project, in vague detail. A couple more clicks, and you can find more details about [...]
[...] by a very gracious blogger as well as information about the project itself. This has been mentioned all throughout the Internet and is unlikely to be an isolated incident of LiveJournal users (I should [...]
I have been “baited” twice, first one was about google (a scam in itself) and the second said “Catholicism is for pussies” what the hell! this seems harmless but I guarantee google gets paid and people (such as young aim users) are learning new words… like “pussy”