Guys, I’ve been hacked. If you get any oddball direct mail tweets from me, delete them. The virus also somehow activated my facebook account, which I don’t even use, so ditto on the facebook contact. I’ve deactivated both accounts (and that’s a long story), so I hope you won’t be bothered by any other viral mayhem from me.
Sorry!
I just changed all my online passwords to EVERYTHING and left my Facebook up for now. I guess we’ll see.
At first, I deactivated my Twitter account, but the hacker reactivated it and sent another batch of messages before I slapped my forehead and changed the password. So you might want to keep an eye out.
Motherfuckers is right. And this is one of the many reasons I detest social media (present form excepted). I hate that if I accidentally click on a facebook link, my account automatically gets reactivated. I can’t even tell you how many times I have logged on to deactivate it again. It’s practically my only facebook activity!
Fucking motherfuckers. I feel like I’m changing passwords once a month anymore. Good luck Averil.
I really prefer blogging SO much more. It’s all under my control. And I know social media is supposed to be good for book sales so I may get sucked back in, but honestly if someone can look me up on twitter or facebook, surely they can search me on google and end up here. Right?
I agree. My kids are 26 and 31, and they hardly even use FB anymore. They say it’s “out.”
I haven’t a clue.
Hooray!
I wonder what will be next.
I would cherish ANY contact with your fine self!
Paul, you’re making me blush.
I avoided social media for a long time out of fear of this kind of violation. I’ve been refusing to sign into sites using a FB or Twitter account. If they can’t keep our info safe, then why ask us to cross-contaminate it, so to speak? I hope everything is straightened out and safe for you to use soon.
I just wish you could know beforehand whether a link will take you to a facebook page. With some of them, you can tell, but not always. And if you click, back you go again into the hive. Fuckity fuck.
I’m crushed to know I’m not really famous on Facebook.
A couple of years ago, a friend gave me a very helpful piece of advice when it comes to receiving links in any message via email, twitter, whatever.
1. Don’t click the link.
2. Email, text or IM your friend to ask if the link is legit.
3. Wait a day to see if any mutual friends send you anything similar. If so, assume it’s a hack and delete the message without opening it or clicking the link.
These assholes were clever. When I didn’t pen the message and click the link sent from your accoutn this afternoon, it sent me a second message a couple of hours later.
You are so right, and I’m pissed at myself for falling for it. I know better than that.
Mine DM said something about a video, and because of the source I thought it was something to do with the book. Obviously, I would have gotten a real email if that were the case, but apparently my brain cells got all jazzed up and forgot to apply logic.
Speaking as a FB addict, it’s likely that because y’all are not, you are not hip to the various security measures you can take to prevent being hacked. They’re simple and don’t take a lot of time, but if you simply don’t want to bother with FB, then it might be better to deactivate. I have not had any problems yet, but the one person I knew who did was also a writer, and only came on FB to promote his work. He has since abandoned FB, but I don’t believe that’s necessary. Maybe I should hold a seminar . . .
I’m trying to remain open-minded in case my editor really feels strongly about facebook, but I already put in a good bit of time blogging and that’s where my focus is. It’s a better venue for me. To get a following on facebook, you’ve got to really put in the hours and build those relationships, and for me it’s just not a good use of time. I’m too easily distracted as it is.
hacked. shit. no fun. it’s a jungle out everywhere. no safe gardens for peaceful gentle souls.
Hold me, Tetman.
Sorry to hear that. Don’t take it personally, it’s mostly done by machine and software. Social media is becoming a right bore nowadays. I am on LinkedIn and I am flooded with so much crap from chancers and no hopers (myself included). Facebook is fun for seeing my children and their freinds swappiong funny pictures – but the one thing I hate about it is that it is almost impossible to leave once you have joined. One day someone is going to take legal action against facebum and get that challenged. They don’t care about the safety of children, data or anyone’s well being. We are the product on facebum – not the service they supply.
Anyway, never open / click links in emails for at least half an hour’s thought before hand and always turn the bathroom light out.
Ha!
Yeah, it’s infuriating to have to go round and round trying to get the account deleted. It’s as if they cannot believe anyone would want to leave–ever! But you’ve put your finger on it: We’re the product, not the consumers. When I consider it that way, it makes more sense. And makes me even angrier.
I feel so used, Bill. The rat bastards.
Stay here with us, where it’s warm and safe. We’ll take care of you always.
Ahh. . . Spoken like a mama.
XO