TIM FAULKNER — Tagged, yet another social network, has turned the popularity of engaging friends on the web into a modified phishing and spamming technique by harvesting webmail contacts. Apparently, the "phisher" has been using this technique since October 2006, but invitations from "members" have just begun arriving across this desk. Despite early criticism of the practice on the web, Tagged continues to use the deceptive practice unabated.
Similar spam and phishing techniques have been around for a while; what's notable is that Tagged has received $7 million in funding mostly from the Mayfield Fund and is leveraging the popularity of social networks to boost traffic for advertisers. Tagged is even boastful about their intentions, barely mentioning users on their About Us page: "Advertisers love Tagged because they get clear, uncomplicated access to our audience. Our team is dedicated to making every advertiser successful and can develop and support any type of ad campaign."
The request for passwords should be alarming to all, but resisting an invitation from a friend using their email address may be difficult for everyone but the most paranoid in this age of collecting online friends. As social networks proliferate with me-too features and a desire to make a quick buck, these tactics are sure to proliferate along with them. One would imagine VCs would be more reticent to invest in such tactics or that the spamming would quickly be shutdown by the vocal web. At this point, Tagged and its investors show little signs of concern.
