fediblock

EDIT: the person I contacted replied and the new posts have the correct attribution. So the problem is solved.

There is a Mastodon instance that publishes content from its own PeerTube instance. These contents are narrated aloud, likely by an AI, in several languages, and are based on articles that appear online. Today this happened with an article I shared from my blog.

The problem is that there is no attribution to the original author and or the original source site. On the contrary, it gives the impression that the content was produced directly by whoever runs that site or instance.

This is completely detached from the idea of properly sharing information. Taking inspiration is a wonderful thing. Claiming someone else’s work as your own is not.

I contacted the account in question this morning. I have not received any reply, even though other content has been published in the meantime. A short while ago I also contacted the instance administrator.

I will wait until tomorrow morning. If I do not receive a satisfactory response, I will publicly disclose the instance and the related content and block the entire domain. There are additional details that I prefer not to reveal at this time which further worsen the situation.

This is not how we act in the Fediverse.

In the Fediverse we respect one another.
Let us avoid bringing improper practices here. You are free to use my posts as you wish. You can even make money by applying my advice.
Just do not take away my attribution.

#Fediverse #FediBlock #FediAdmin #HeadsUP

Just blocked an IPv6 used by a Russian troll with multiple accounts

I recommend admins blocking this IP from signing up:

2001:999:580:70ce:4c9c:480a:7009:a31f

Not a #FediBlock but could be handy tagging it

Cuidado com a nova onda de golpes rondando o fediverso

Contas falsas se fazem passar por equipes de moderação do Mastodon, como se todas as instâncias fossem parte de uma empresa só.

Elas solicitam uma falsa verificação de identidade, coisa que o fediverso não faz, pois são dados sensíveis e muita dor de cabeça para um serviço voluntário lidar.

Não acredite nas mensagens nem cliquem nos links. Em vez disso, denunciem a conta falsa se ver ela ou se for contactado por ela.

ℹ️ Aqui na Ursal as únicas contas oficiais da gestão são: @Ursalzona @Bruiserzinha @liaamancio @red. Esta (@cadusilva) e @ReeSilva cuidam de manter tudo no ar.

#Mastodon #MastoAdmin #FediBlock #scam

#FediBlock recommendation, there's a rogue server cloning lots of real accounts so it can impersonate them. There is no legitimate reason for such behaviour, admins should suspend it ASAP:

mastodon.arell.ai

Admins might want to suspend the main domain:

arell.ai

This would be good in case the owner tries the same stunt on a different subdomain. Blocking the main domain also blocks all of its subdomains.

(via @thomas, thread at https://metalhead.club/@thomas/114878505580336321 )

#FediAdmin #MastoAdmin

Big time block needed (and take down for abuse?) of mastodon.arell.ai, which basically has cloned the Fediverse with unauthorized copies of everyone. #Fediblock (3.9K copies of users) (Update: The Fediverse appears to have successfully taken these guys down, woohoo!)

🚨 Scam Alert: "Verify your Fedi account" Phishing Attempt 🚧

Attention everyone on Mastodon! There's a scam making the rounds where malicious actors impersonate moderators or admins. They send private messages or make posts that mimic notifications, claiming that your account needs verification. These messages often include a link for you to "complete the verification process."

⚠️ This is a Scam!

Your server admin will never ask you to click a link to verify your account.
No other admin from any other server will either, even if they appear to be part of the main Mastodon team.
If your account is suspended, you won't receive a message about it. Instead, you'll see a notification upon logging in that your account is temporarily suspended.

How to Identify the Scam:

Fake admin accounts often use names containing "moderator" or "admin," but this doesn't mean they are legitimate.
Legitimate admins or instance owners usually have a badge or marking on their profile indicating their role.

What to Do:

If you receive a message or post urging you to click a link to verify your account, report it immediately.
If you have any doubts about your account status, contact your server admin or moderation team directly.
To verify the authenticity of an admin or instance owner, visit the "About" page of your instance. This page typically lists contact information for the real team administering your instance.
Always be cautious when interacting with accounts claiming to be from Mastodon or your instance's admin team.

Important Reminder:

Mastodon does not perform age verification. If you receive a message or post claiming to be from Mastodon or your instance's admin team, always verify its authenticity before taking any action.

Reporting the Scam:

If you encounter this scam, report it to your instance's admin team and use relevant tags, such as #FediBlock, to help raise awareness.

Personal Note:

I'm not a cybersecurity expert, but I find this new scam in the Fediverse quite interesting. If you feel like sharing your experiences with me, I would appreciate it! I'm looking to collect cases and get a broader view of this phishing attack. Maybe I'll even try to write a report about it. Feel free to tag me in any relevant posts.

Let's stay vigilant and help each other stay safe online!

#Mastodon #Fediverse #ScamAlert #Phishing #CyberSecurity #OnlineSafety #FediBlock #StaySafe #TechCommunity #SocialMedia #ScamAwareness #SecurityTips #ReportScams #VerifyBeforeYouTrust

ALT

Beware of @mastodon.arell.ai as someone found a copy of my account there and the instance apparently has been known for impersonating accounts

#FediBlock