How My Twitter Account Got Hacked

10/15/09 -- Yesterday, my Twitter account got hacked. My account sent direct messages to my followers suggesting that I "made $300 in one day" using a particular Web site.

Thankfully, @julioagarcia and @injurylitigator quickly pointed it out to me and I was able to change my passwords and end the invasion.

How did this happen? I had received a Twitter Direct Message (DM) from a follower of mine who happens to be an assignment editor at CNN. The DM suggested I check out a video through a link to a shortened url.

What would you do? If someone from CNN asks someone in my profession to view a video, we usually do it. So, I clicked on the link. My computer stalled a bit and then sent me to a strange Twitter page. Somehow, my username and password got collected and a few hours later I was inadvertently shilling for an Internet get rich scheme. Fortunately, there appears to be no lasting damage or loss of data.

So, what's the lesson here? We need to be extra vigilant using social media portals and tools. If something looks odd (like a DM from someone who doesn't normally DM you), be wary of it. I think it is also a good idea to regularly change your passwords on your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts.

This also opened my eyes to one of the downsides of shortened urls (like tinyurl, bitly, etc.). We have become accustomed to blindly clicking on them -- particularly because they have proven to be so convenient for the micro-blogging applications like Twitter and status updates on other social media sites.

What I have learned is that I can't continue to participate in social media with a blissfully ignorant attitude about security. No one can.

--John


http://www.miamipublicrelations.com/

A Discount is One Thing, but this is Ridiculous

10/14/09 -- I somewhat hopefully yet warily took a call yesterday from an event producer who is bringing an interesting "show/act/event" to South Florida in the near future.

The potential "client" wanted some fairly standard media relations assistance: pre-event outreach to local media, news releases, assistance with a news conference, credentialing press at the event – standard stuff. I expect that this event will get a fair amount of coverage because it has good visuals and sex appeal. I wasn't expecting a pot of gold for the work, but I thought it would be a fun and profitable assignment.

And then I learned that the event guy wanted to receive these PR services at no charge. Yep, gratis. Like, you know, free. (And by the way, this organization is a for-profit entity, not a charity looking for pro bono support.)

After a deep breath, I explained that we are in the business of providing public relations services and that we are not interested in the project.

I was then told that there are two agencies in town that are considering it. I told him that I wasn't surprised – because I'm not.

The recession has caused all agencies to consider discounting fees and rates. It is a sign of the times, and clients caught-on to it a while back. Another PR agency head aptly told me a few months ago that clients want "twice the work at 1980s prices."

However, as far as I know, firms weren't giving their services away in the 1980s.

We are certainly in trying times when the PR profession and its clientele are perpetuating an era of mutual devaluation. Both sides deserve to be chastised.

Companies that expect PR services for free are essentially telling us that our services have no monetary worth. I think they also devalue their own brand in some ways by being cheap, greedy and foolish – all at the same time.

PR companies that take on such assignments? Well, I'm a gentleman so I will merely call them idiots.

The public relations profession is facing plenty of challenges right now, but to suggest that our services are without value is ridiculous.

--John

http://www.miamipublicrelations.com/