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Chris Wayman

Q: Corrupted Buddy List full of Strangers' Names

I am experiencing a problem on my MacBook Pro, which doesn't happen on my iMac. My buddy list has become corrupted and contains a list of weird names with icons (not photos) and only one correct buddy (with photo). All my other buddies have disappeared. Does anyone have any idea what could have happened? I've rebooted but that didn't help.

2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac (24" screen)   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   MacBook Pro 2.16GHz, AirPort

2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac (24" screen), Mac OS X (10.4.9), AirPort

Posted on Jun 12, 2007 5:00 AM

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Q: Corrupted Buddy List full of Strangers' Names

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  • by Chris Wayman,

    Chris Wayman Chris Wayman Jun 12, 2007 6:55 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (21 points)
    iCloud
    Jun 12, 2007 6:55 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Ralph, thanks for your help. I've checked that my husband hasn't done any of the things you mention; it looks as though it's a glitch somewhere back at the ranch and we'll have to hope that the wonderful boys at Apple get it sorted soon. Meanwhile, I've deleted all the AIM bots and hopefully they won't return. Chris
  • by Davidvuk,

    Davidvuk Davidvuk Jun 12, 2007 6:59 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 12, 2007 6:59 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    I'm in Indiana. I do not have extra buddies but I have a buddy in next town over with same problem. She was on ichat late last night and woke up to bots in her list. I was not and don't have them. ????
  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jun 12, 2007 7:34 AM in response to Davidvuk
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jun 12, 2007 7:34 AM in response to Davidvuk
    Hi David,

    So despite being David v UK (umm, that looks different in print to what I was trying to Illustrate. Try Davidv uk) you are in the States.

    That would tend to it being a world wide phenomenon.



    3:34 PM Tuesday; June 12, 2007
  • by Ralph Johns (UK),Helpful

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jun 12, 2007 7:35 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jun 12, 2007 7:35 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    Hi Chris,

    As these are AIM bots and seem to be the ones featured on the link above it is either AIM has added them to peoples Buddy lists without asking,

    or there is some form of Social Engineering that has happened that as yet people are unaware of.

    If it is AIM hopefully deleting them will be the end of the matter.



    3:31 PM Tuesday; June 12, 2007
  • by Janet Lavine,

    Janet Lavine Janet Lavine Jun 12, 2007 7:41 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 7:41 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    I just turned on my iChat and found the same thing. Here are the five new random contacts on mine:

    Moviefone
    Prof Gilzot
    sharethisdotcome
    Spleak
    WSJ

    What is this? I have not installed any new updates. I'm a little freaked out.

    I'm in Illinois, btw.

    iMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.7)   2.1 GHz, 512 MB Memory
  • by Gary Harrison,

    Gary Harrison Gary Harrison Jun 12, 2007 8:07 AM in response to Janet Lavine
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 8:07 AM in response to Janet Lavine
    Just popped into my office before a trip to Minneapolis. Those were the exact five I had on my list this morning. I don't know if this helps, but:

    1) I run Trillium on my HP TC1100 Tablet, but I haven't involved it in some time.
    2) Last night, I installed the Safari Beta for Windows on the Tablet.

    So far, after deleting them, they haven't come back.

    Hope this helps!
    Gary
  • by Gary Harrison,

    Gary Harrison Gary Harrison Jun 12, 2007 8:08 AM in response to Gary Harrison
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 8:08 AM in response to Gary Harrison
    Let's try "invoked it in some time" - don't type fast.
  • by nickthequick,

    nickthequick nickthequick Jun 12, 2007 8:17 AM in response to Janet Lavine
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 8:17 AM in response to Janet Lavine
    I am located in Austria and had exactly the same strange buddies on my list. I deleted them in the preference panel but I am still kind of worried.
  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jun 12, 2007 8:21 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jun 12, 2007 8:21 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Thanks for the point Chris



    4:20 PM Tuesday; June 12, 2007
  • by John Lange3,

    John Lange3 John Lange3 Jun 12, 2007 8:21 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 8:21 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    yea... same problems here. I already had moviefone in my buddy list but the others magically appeared this morning upon startup.

    Here is my break down:
    • Reside in Los Angeles, CA
    • Run OS X.4.9 @ work. I also run XP in boot camp and as of a week ago I run XP in Parallels. Both uses of XP are for one application only. I never use IM either form of XP.
    • Run OS X.4.6 @ home (and only that)
    • I never access IM from any other computer other than those two
    • I am currently drinking tea at room temperature… no sugar

    Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket
    As you can see, I had all 5. 1 didn’t look out of place as I’ve always had Moviefone as a buddy.

    My theory is that AIM added them without permission. It is still a freak out and not in a fun hippie sort of way.




    2Ghz Intel MacBook Pro / 1.5 Ghz Powerbook   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  
  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jun 12, 2007 8:25 AM in response to Janet Lavine
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jun 12, 2007 8:25 AM in response to Janet Lavine
    Hi Janet,

    Those are the AIM bots that show on the link above.

    At this stage it is not clear how they are getting on to peoples Buddy Lists.

    As I have mentioned and has been said by a later poster it is possible to log on to the AIM servers with the same Screen name from different apps or even different computers.

    Changes to your Buddy List there will effect the Buddy List no matter which app or computer you access it from.
    The change may not have been on the Mac or in iChat.



    4:24 PM Tuesday; June 12, 2007
  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Jun 12, 2007 8:35 AM in response to John Lange3
    Level 9 (73,348 points)
    Applications
    Jun 12, 2007 8:35 AM in response to John Lange3
    I am currently drinking tea at room temperature


    Isn't Tea Drinking always done at room temperature ? ...Unless you are outside of course.

    Well we seem to be eliminating other apps/ AIM clients on the Mac or on other computers.

    The Safari Beta things does not fit with everyone so that points more towards AIM doing it.

    I wonder why such a small group is effected ?



    4:35 PM Tuesday; June 12, 2007
  • by CodLBi,

    CodLBi CodLBi Jun 12, 2007 9:26 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 3 (720 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 9:26 AM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Thank you Ralph,

    I am not British but I do know even in Holland we do not drink it that hot,
    We drink tea as well, and we like it. We do not speak about it, cause it is a British form of understanding.
    The Dutch know that a cloud of milk is redundant.

    Any one has been using AIM beta's and forgot to update?

    This was addressed to Mr. De Lange.



    MacBook Pro 2.33 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   3 GB 667 Mhz 8R2205
  • by Clint P.,

    Clint P. Clint P. Jun 12, 2007 9:57 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 9:57 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    My father (in Oregon) just emailed me in a panic with the Moviefone, Prof Gilzot, sharethisdotcom, spleak, and WSJ buddies in his list.

    After looking at the AIM Bot website mentioned earlier, I see this is a new feature. I know not all bots are bad, but I think marketing could have picked a better name.

    So, has anyone considered that AOL did this. And if so, this sort of feels like the Sony DRM root kit fiasco awhile back (seemingly not as severe). Also, did they just reveal a new AIM exploit?

    clint

    dual 2.0GHz G5   Mac OS X (10.4)  
  • by mattalex,

    mattalex mattalex Jun 12, 2007 10:39 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    Level 2 (245 points)
    Jun 12, 2007 10:39 AM in response to Chris Wayman
    Just wanted to add, it happened to me too. in LA, at work. Secure Network. Creepy...
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