Robots Attack BetterNetworker.com
O.K., so I don’t know all the details about the latest “robot” attacks on Better Networker because the tech guys are working out the details. But, “Carl The Cop” has been interrogating terrorists all night long…
And I don’t have to tell you that “Carl The Cop” is downright scary when crooks mess with his friends at Better Networker.
I would have asked for more details, but Carl looked a little strung out. The good news is that peace has been restored to Better Networkers – and that’s what really matters.
But I couldn’t help but think about the situation myself.
I mean, what kind of loser (or losers) attacks innocent business owners online or sends out an army of SPAM-BOTS to harass a peaceful community like ours?
The sad thing is, this person probably has genuine skills in programming that could eventually make him a lot of money, but instead, he would rather waste his time breaking things and making people panic.
It’s Something Only A SLIMY LOSER Would Do
Obviously, this loser panicked a lot of people and I want to thank everybody for being patient and helpful – you are not a spammer.
But this guy most certainly was…
I know, a lot of Better Networkers reported incidents to me or directly to the help desk at Better Networker and your lightning quick response helped us track down and ban the “rogue” account.
You have no idea how much that helped us out – thank you!
If you weren’t really hit by these attacks then you might want to check out Mitchell Dillman’s article on Better Networker which explains what it was like to be harassed by this weasel…
Here’s Mitchell Dillman Reporting From The Front Lines…
But How Has This Affected You?
Do you think BetterNetworker.com should make it harder to set-up an account at Better Networker? Or should we just leave it the way it is and deal with incidents like this when they happen?
Please chime in, because this is very serious stuff…
-Jason The “Better Networker”
-The Jason Better Blog
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Simply click the orange RSS button on the top (right hand side) of this blog – or use and RSS reader like Google Reader to subscribe – that’s the one I use.
73 Comments
Dwayne Huggins on April 12th, 2010
Hey J
People always attack success and successful people. In a weird way its a testament to BN’s success.
Anyhow. I hope the loser/s has been properly dealt with and will not return to BN shores.
Change the sign-up process may halt another attack, but for how long? I am sure there will be other loser/s who will ‘try a thing’.
Beefing up security is always good, so go ahead. There will be more attacks but WE are strong enough to fend them off and send em packing.
Dwayne
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Another thing too…
They were probably there before the new sign-up process.
With more and more paid members every day… this type of thing
will be part of ancient history.
[Reply]
Ilka Flood on April 12th, 2010
Hi Jason,
Wow! That really sucks. (Pardon my French)
Don’t these people have better things to do? My line usually is … “I wish there fingers would fall off when they do such nasty things.”
You’re right. It’s probably some brilliant programmer who could direct his talents elsewhere and rake in the money.
Mitchell took it with humor though. Love his article about it.
Here’s hoping for a peaceful week!
Have a good one!
Ilka
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 10:48 am
P.S. I wouldn’t change the sign -up, but put more security measures in place. Don’t know how easy/hard that would be. I’m not a techie.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
The first thing I though of was leprosy.
But after Carl The Cop gets through with the perps they’ll wish their fingers had fallen off first. 
[Reply]
Melisa on April 12th, 2010
Anyway, my old message disappeared. I am not sure what happened there but anyway, I was saying that I thought that you should deal with the issues as they come because there is always going to be some idiot that wants to cause problems.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
That’s the sad part…
No matter what you do there will always be some poor lonely dude with a keyboard and an army of robots waiting to spoil the fun.
[Reply]
Kerie Cooper on April 12th, 2010
I will have to take a look at Mitchell’s article to get the full scoop – I’m so glad you guys are on it! I don’t think you should make it harder to set up an account.
I’m glad normalcy has been restored 
Kerie
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
It totally cracked me up.
But it’s easy to take it the wrong way.
He has a strange sense of humor that guy.
Love it.
[Reply]
Twila Jacobs on April 12th, 2010
I always find it sad when people that have real talents they could use to better themselves, waste them on things that negatively impact others.
In my husband line of work, he tells me about people like that all of the time. It makes me just want to shake some sense into them if it were possible.
Glad to hear things are back to normal.
Now I need to check my spam box!
Twila
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
What kind of work does he do?
Ooops… there I go being nosey again.
I hope you didn’t get any notifications.
From what I’ve heard they wouldn’t stop.
[Reply]
Wayne Vassell on April 12th, 2010
Hey J,
Unfortunately there will always be someone that wants to go that route.
I think even if you guys changed the rules for sign up, they will find another way.
Just keep Carl The Cop on the case prowling for undesirables!
Thanks for alerting us.
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
And you know…
Carl’s been itching for somebody to do something wrong for a long time.
I’m kinda happy that he found something to do now. He was starting to look like a mall cop.
[Reply]
Laura on April 12th, 2010
I got one too. So I actually came here and tried to delete my account (to no avail) and then I tried to edit my one and only post (from over a year ago) again to no avail. Seems advertising our business in any form will be misconstrued as spam, and I figured I’ll just leave my advertising to google pay per click..that way its not considered spam. When a social network designed to allow advertising for internet marketers calls our stuff spam, it gets frustrating. Thanks for letting us know about the spam bot! hope you get rid of the little bugger. Thanks Jason.
Laura
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Hey Laura,
That was my biggest fear…
That he would scare (or annoy) people out of being Better Networkers. I hope I see you around there again.
Don’t let one little booger chase you away.
[Reply]
Craig White on April 12th, 2010
Jason,
Here is the good news!
Better Networker has now made it to the pinnacle just like Microsoft. Just like Dwayne said “success will always be attack.”
Why do hackers right code to attack Microsoft?
The same reason the idiots attacked Better Networker.
Success!
They are so blind to the fact that if they used their skills for success instead of attacking success they could be just like you Jason.
So congrats on creating such a successful business!
Craig White
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
That’s what boogles my brain Craig…
These people are almost always “smart” and “talented”. I just can’t understand why they need to break things instead of getting out there and using their skills to live the life of their dreams.
[Reply]
Rebecca geiger on April 12th, 2010
What a stinky dude/ette.
Karma baby will also take care of it.. they may get away with it for now.. but when Karma strikes it painful blow.. that perp will get a smack in the right place.. !
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
It’s funny, I never even though of the stinker being a “dudette”.
[Reply]
Amy on April 12th, 2010
Great job resolving things…
It always amazes me the way some people choose to spend their time. And, yes, the ones that perform stunts like this are typically very intelligent and talented and could do a lot of good in the world if they set their mind to it.
It’s really hard for me to even understand why people would want to do things like this and invest their valuable time hurting others. It makes no sense at all.
I had someone hack into my Facebook account a while back and post things to my status that I would never say. I guess they got a nice chuckle for a minute… but in the end it doesn’t seem like it would be worth the time and effort.
People never cease to amaze me .
-A
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Bizarre,
I worry about that sometimes.
The Facebook thing.
But then I know most people would catch on quick and realize it wasn’t me.
It’s kind of a pointless act of vandalism.
The problem being that intellectual property is still property and the law still applies online.
Unfortunately, these vandals don’t seem to realize that their actions could land them in jail.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
I know it.
When the Facebook thing happened I was out and about not paying attention, but it was amazing how fast my phone started ringing w/all kinds of friends (even long lost boyfriends from college, etc) to let me know that someone was obviously in my account. It’s nice to know that my friends, etc know me well enough to recognize that it wasn’t me talking.
I ended up adding some humor to the mix (so we all got a good laugh) and it all blew over pretty quickly. But, yes, these vandals ought to be locked up… they obviously have way too much time on their hands.
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:46 am
Haha…
That’s the last thing I would want to happen.
Being contacted by all my long lost girlfriends.
That’s possibly the best reason I ever heard for protecting passwords!
But I’m sure they would help me out, right?
They couldn’t possibly hold a grudge that long?
Gayle Buchanan on April 12th, 2010
Morning Jason
that totally sucks, however; congratulations on the success of BN, you have everything covered, the minority of ‘tosser/s’ shouldn’t knock you or us off course.
Thank you everyone for the quick responses – an awesome community sticking together!
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
The thing about these incidents is that they almost seem to bring the community together more.
It’s a shame that this type of thing happens but I’m glad to see the support over at Better Networker.
I would have commented in the forums but for some weird reason my computer won’t let me today.
Even called the tech guy to see if it was just me?
Which it probably is.
[Reply]
Renegade Marketer Pro on April 12th, 2010
What this person did was wrong and wasted a lot of time and effort (hence money).
But… It does mean BN is attracting a lot of attention, becoming very visible and getting people to sit up and take notice– of individuals, of our industry and of our leaders.
After all is said and done, I think it’s a good sign. That said, it’s probably wise to step up security measures for everyone’s sake, but especially for the people that had to WASTE their time dealing with this.
We have way better things to do than clean up after spammers. Like generate rockin new content.
Keep up the great work guys!
Kari Baxter
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
Definitely…
The site is growing at lightspeed.
These kinds of things are more like growing pains that actual problems but I’m still trying to understand the “why” of it all.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
It’s probably a kid in high school, smart, bored, and thinks it’s hilarious!
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:47 am
More than likely.
Tracey Hausel on April 12th, 2010
My first thought was, “Who did I tick off?”
You guys were amazing about how fast you responded and on a weekend, too.
Glad all is well.
I wouldn’t change anything to signing up.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 1:29 pm
I’m happy to hear that Tracey.
Mike Dillard pitched in and acted immediately.
I was behind by a few hours but all in all we jumped on this faster than Carl could yell:
“TASER TASER.”
[Reply]
Mary Thayer on April 12th, 2010
Well I would have to agree that this attack means that BetterNetworker has moved to the next level. It proved it by getting attacked. It is amazing what some people waste their precious time doing to say the least.
Mitchell Dillman wrote a great article about the fiasco from the perspective of the victim. I was not affected so it probably means I better get some content up and going:D
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
It was random so there were a few people. I guess, people who have a lot of content up who were affected. But I guess, you could almost say it’s a compliment to be vandalized? Big targets are easy to hit.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Hey now…
There’s no reason to talk about my Girly figure like that…Bikini season’s coming, I’m working on it… 
MD
[Reply]
Terry Cuthbert - Barter Trader on April 12th, 2010
I must admit I was questioning my own integrity and asking others to read the article I posted when I received the “You Suck you …………”
So chhers for the vote of confidence, hehe
I do have an issue with a new group I formed and spent an hour before it disappeared, it happened when I went to proof read it before submitting. If this could be corrected my ego will be intact. hehe.
The efforts you have shown with informing everyone of the spam attack and what your doing to correct it has shown me you are looking after us all.
Keep smiling everyone
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Of course,
Better Networkers are family.
Not sure about the group thing though.
Might want to check out the help desk at:
http://www.betternetworker.com/help
Those tech guys are geniuses!
[Reply]
Terry Cuthbert - Barter Trader on April 12th, 2010
My mum said “Son you don’t Suck” and now you guys say “Terry you don’t Suck”. With ego intact I can move forward. hehe
[Reply]
The MLM Cowboy on April 12th, 2010
Jason , don’t go to my website, cause I still have to get cleaned up and take a movie picture, so they say, but in the meantime, why don’t you catch those weasles and send ‘m to Van Horn.
I’ve got a couple of baby billy goats that I’m going to have to use an elastrator on ( thats a tight rummerband , you put on thier “Cajones” (that’s balls) and then in about a week , they are no longer billy goats , and they’ll have something to think about besides jacking around on the “MLM” Ranch. ( That’s really BN).
So put’m on a Greyhound and send them my way.
The “MLM” Cowboy
aka Clay Mac
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I like your plan Cowboy,
I’ll get Carl to send them your way.
[Reply]
Tommy DiPietro on April 12th, 2010
Hey J
“you suck! you submitted spam!” was the message I received from those SOBs, lol.
Threw me for a loop for a minute, glad order has been restored.
I agree with everyone, keep the sign-up policy the same. If you make it difficult to join, people may not want to do it.
Tommy D.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Tommy,
It honestly threw me for a loop too.
I got back from my walk and I had a whole batch of fresh messages.
[Reply]
Rhonda Miller on April 12th, 2010
I hate to sound like a broken record, but I agree with Dwayne. The more successful BN is, the more susceptible they’re going to be.
I never have understood that concept, but it just seems to be what draws attention and I think that’s what this individual was wanting. I used to have a boss that wasn’t happy unless there was turmoil in the office. It’s sad to say, but there are just people like that.
I think everything was handled properly. Just jump on it, resolve it and move on. It’s great lesson learned to help a lot of people down the road deal with issues that will arise and they will.
As far as changing the signup process, I wouldn’t. Like was said, eventually the thorns will be suffocated.
Mitchell, you crack me up =)
To everyone’s success,
Rhonda
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Now my dreams of having a Better Networker Bootcamp before people sign-up are flushed down the drain.
Yeah, I totally cracked up when I read Mitchell’s article too.
That man is on the ball.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell when he’s joking though.
[Reply]
Tristan Richards on April 12th, 2010
I was so pissed when I got 2 of those You Suck!! you submitted Spam. Thanks for clearing things up Jason with the message you sent Jason, I was like WTF!!!
Signing up to betternworker is fine, nothing needs to be changed
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Awesome Tristan,
I can only imagine.
Mitchell summed it up nicely with his Better Networker
article and order has been restored.
[Reply]
Derek Alvarez on April 12th, 2010
Hi Jason,
I wouldn’t change the sign-up process, but it would be cool if we could get email notifications when people comment on our articles…
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Hey Derek,
I second that option. I’ve thought about that before. Great suggestion.
Rhonda
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Derek,
I am so with you on that one!
I have a really hard time keeping track of them all.
Having like 40 articles over there and growing.
That’s a biggie.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker on April 12th, 2010
Hi Jason,
One has to be continually vigilant online and even then if someone wants to “break in” they will despite the security measures.
What’s more important is the speed with which one can implement damage control when issues like this arise and you have all done a masterful job at BN!
As to why people do it, the reasons are varied I suppose and we’ll never know for sure. At times like this I find the best response is one that Jim Rohn suggests – “Isn’t that interesting.”
Cheers
Marcus
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Hah,
Nice job.
That quote sums up the whole deal perfectly.
[Reply]
Mitcehll Dillman on April 12th, 2010
Howdy Jason,
Great to hear that order has been restored and all is good over on the BN…I wasn’t really worried or anything.
You guys keep that place spick and spam, uhmm…
Heck, I really didn’t know security had been breached…I was under the impression it was some kind of misconstrued High Jinx gone awry…
Anyway, what a perfect example of the balance of life…You know, can’t have the Good without some Bad. No up without down, left without right, Roses without Thorns…
Right on, we’ll catch up with ya later…
…Thanks for all the continued leadership, support and your Good Will with all my Online Ribbing…
Hope you know It’s just my way of blowin off some steam and enjoying this Ride Called Life…
Your alright Jason Better, I don’t care what they say.
Mitchell Dillman
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
You keep saying that Mitchell…
Who are “they”?
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Jason,
You may want to leave that one alone right now…
Let’s just leave sleeping dog lie, it’s best for all involved.
MD
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:47 am
…
Tony Logue on April 12th, 2010
Wow, look what I missed. I was busy setting up my new funded proposal lead generation system and missed out on all the fun. LOL
No, seriously. It’s a real shame that people have to stoop to those types of methods to have fun or feel important.
Oh….I think you should just deal with things as they come up.
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Yeah, and let’s face it.
Carl the Cop would get bored if nothing ever happened around here.
[Reply]
Chris Owen on April 13th, 2010
Hey Jason,
As you already know, they got me. I was really confused. The post I got the spam notice on wasn’t open to the public, had been out for over 2 months and didn’t mention a business or anything of the sort.
I thought it was because I might have made someone angry with me and they clicked on my spam button.
I really was wondering how many people took great content off of the site to keep from having a bad reputation. I almost took mine down, which was barely something you would call an article.
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:51 am
In some cases, some people though they had done something wrong. Which is a shame.
I know a few people were annoyed into unsubscribing. But I hope they come back when they find out it’s not them – but some person with way too much time on their hands.
[Reply]
Neil on April 13th, 2010
Hi Jason,
my opinion is to leave the sign up the way it is, because if these tire kickers are “experts” they will only attack again with the new sign on – I guess you have to measure it against how many times betternetworker gets attacked
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:52 am
Hey Neil,
Yeah, that seems to be the consensus here too.
Like a few people said too…
When you’re successful and visible you make for an easy target.
[Reply]
Matt Cassity on April 13th, 2010
Hey Jason,
If I had the Programming Skills that the spammer had I would use it to benefit myself and others through it. I would not try to break other people down.
Well I did not get any spam. At least this guy is gone, and will not be bothering any of us.
[Reply]
April 13th, 2010 at 8:53 am
It’s weird really.
Anybody with mad skills should be spending more time making money and living the good life with friends, and family.
[Reply]
Hey Jason,
That sucks! I’ve been gone all weekend so I will have to read Mitchell’s article.
You are so correct, they should use their talent on something other than pestering people. Let me go and read this article.
Chat with you later…
Josh
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Yeah, totally…
I don’t know what motivates somebody to spoil other people’s fun.
Almost pity the person.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 10:40 am
Oh BTW…Don’t make the set-up any harder. Leave it the way it is.
Do you have any back-end software to prevent this in the future? I’m sure there are software out there for it.
[Reply]
April 12th, 2010 at 10:42 am
I have to admit, I’m at a loss without the tech guys.
They jumped on this like butter on bread.
I’m sure they’ve put measures in place by now.
[Reply]