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Why did I get a MySpace "Request to Approve Comment"?

I'm confused. I've been using MySpace for a long time and have always had comments just show up, but suddenly I got a message that was a "Request to Approve Comment". What the heck does it mean, and what's special about this particular comment?


Dave's Answer:

I sporadically get these messages too, actually. As I've written about before, MySpace has tons of cool people, but a lot of scammers and spammers who try to subvert the system for personal gain. Some of them I can deal with, if they're leaving comments with a link back to their site or promoting their business in fairly low-key ways. But some people push further and try to inject code snippets, JavaScript exploits and even Java applets into your comments, code that can be sufficiently malicious that it can actually break your MySpace profile. Not good.

If you read the message from MySpace, you can tell they're warning you too. Here's a recent one I received:

"XXX has posted a new comment about you on MySpace!

"Although your privacy settings allow comments to be automatically posted, the following comment contains an embedded object. Embedded objects may generate popup ads, read cookie information, or perform other functions outside the scope of acceptable use. Please click the link below to approve or deny this comment."

Confusingly, the message from MySpace actually includes the offending code, but at least it's just in my mailbox, rather than something polluting my MySpace profile page.

Nonetheless the end of the message includes:

MySpace: Approve a spammy or phishing comment on your profile?

Needless to say, every single time that I receive a comment of this nature and have the chance to approve it, I don't approve it but delete the comment instead. That's done by simply choosing "delete" the clicking "submit" and... you're done and the offending comment is gone, and good riddance!


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Categorized: Twitter, LinkedIn and Social Network Help   (Article 7256, Written by )
Tagged: myspace, myspace phishing, myspace spam
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Reader Comments To Date: 7

abs said, on March 18, 2007 1:04 PM:

It's probably there to prevent spam posts.

alvincent said, on July 20, 2007 8:23 PM:

i have to get my space comments

damaris Vicke said, on August 19, 2007 1:16 AM:

How do I add those codes to approve comments and avoid spamers??

texand said, on December 1, 2007 9:55 AM:

Why did I get a MySpace "Request to Approve Comment"?
A Flash comment will also go through this routine

SuezanneC Baskerville said, on December 18, 2007 8:52 PM:

Hi,

A friend with a Myspace account told me tonight she had a comment on her page that appeared to come from my Myspace page.

It was one that I've seen before: "You gotta send my friend a message. She thinks your really CuTE! Addher on (MSN)Messanger emily22bella@hotmail.com"
There are thousands of instances of this message if you do a google search for the first sentence of that message and ask it to show the duplicates. The messages are basically identical except that the have varying email addresses.

I don't know if this indicates someone has acquired my myspace password or if this is more of a spoof or what. My Myspace profile is pretty plain, and not damaged. I don't give it much attention, I just sign up for social networks because social networking is sort of a hobby.

Although I see many examples of this message I somewhat surprisingly don't see much useful comment on what if anything one can do about it.

Can you shed any light on this matter?

rhiannon said, on May 7, 2008 2:52 AM:

HOW DO I GET RID OF THE "REQUEST FOR IMAGE COMMENT" ON MY MYSPACE?


TELL ME NOW

Ambre said, on October 12, 2008 9:41 PM:

I had some comments on my mysoace and I read them but did not deny or approve at the time. Now I can not find them. Where did they go? How do I find them

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











I will never send you any unsolicited email. Ever.






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