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Privacy Flaws In Chatroulette Expose Users
itwbennett writes "In a paper posted online this week, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder and McGill University outline three different types of attacks that could be launched against Chatroulette users. While the new research doesn't expose any gaping privacy holes, it does show how the service could be misused by determined criminals. For example, the researchers were able to use IP-mapping services to get a general idea of users' location (a public Web site, called Chatroulettemap.com already does this). Then by searching Facebook using information obtained in chats and comparing pictures, researchers were able to identify chatters. 'Even in a city as big as Chicago, you can drill down and find the person you're actually talking to,' said Richard Han, an associate professor with the University of Colorado who co-authored the paper."
Privacy Flaws In Chatroulette Expose Users
Trust me, on Chatroulette it's the users that have been exposing themselves.
My work here is dung.
For one simple reason. Facebook does not let you set your profile picture to a shot of your genitals.
So the security flaw is that by asking someone for personal information you can obtain personal information about them? This is called social engineering (or maybe just talking).
Not sure what you'd do with this anyway, go meet that masturbator you saw online?
It is by the juice of the coffee bean that thoughts acquire speed, the teeth acquire stains. The stains become a warning
Next article: Privacy flaws In Public Streaking Expose Users
How can I believe you when you tell me what I don't want to hear?
Yeah I did but all he wanted to talk about was penises and overweight bald guys so I stopped it.
Has anyone ever used it and engaged in an interesting conversation with a person who became a regular point of contact? Or is it all just penises and overweight bald guys?
Who says it can't be both?
researchers in universities are seriously out of ideas of what to research
"... researchers were able to use IP-mapping services to get a general idea of user's location... Chatroulette is now testing a new feature called Localroulette, which connects people from specific cities with one another."
:( "... researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder and McGill University ..."
..... no, no doesn't ring a bell
Congratulations researchers, you've discovered chatroulette's new features.
Please tell me taxpayers didn't pay for this research
DOH!
they weren't researching anything, network admin probably noticed IP logs of them spending all day on chatroulette and they had to come up with some excuse.
*phone rings*
Person answering: Hello?
Admin: is this the research office of (BLANK)?
"Researcher": Yes it is
Admin: I'm the network admin for (insert "prestigious" university) and we've noticed someone in your office has spent the last 4 months on a website by the name of "chatroulette". Do you know anything about this?
"Researcher": Um.... what's the website?
Admin: Chatroulette
"Researcher":
Admin: Well if you notice anyone please let us know. The website is known for inappropriate content (NSFW) and we'll be monitoring the PC logins of the individuals and alert campus security once we know who is visiting the website.
"Researcher": OH Chatroulette! Oh yes I'm very familiar with that website, we're researching it
Admin: Research?
"Researcher": Yes research. We're... um, "probing" it's vulnerabilities, looking for "gaping holes" that "expose" users (chuckle)
Admin: gaping holes?
"Researcher": smiling Yes gaping holes... in security
Admin: Oh i see... well thank you for letting me know, I'll note this in the logs
"Researcher": You do that, have a good afternoon
Admin: You too
my karma will be here long after I'm gone
gaping privacy holes
Why would that phrase ever be used when discussing Chatroulette.
It's penises all the way down.
Where does the school board find them and why do they keep sending them to ME?
Unfortunately, when asked, she said it's just overweight bald guys and penis'