Heads-up on dA!

[sgtyayap]

There is a predator on dA as of this week! They are giving the exact same comments to everybody they find (which, as of now, includes NellyTheWitch), which involves wanting to start a relationship immediately, and they even give away their email address, possibly to lure others into doing the same.

Does this sound creepy to anyone?

[DinoGirl]

Yeah, that does sound very creepy. But unfortunatly, the world won't be rid of people who do these ridiculous and daft things . My advice would be to just ignore it if these comments appear on your own artwork and delete them immediately. Don't retaliate to it as who knows what this person might say next. It's bad enough already that they are making a comment like that anyway!

[sgtyayap]

Better yet, I blocked the user, and I recommend that others do the same to this person.

....to name or not to name, that is the question....

[mentalguru]

True, just noticed it on her most recent work, went to check when youmentioned it- asking for email etc. I'm not sure if it's a bot or just some random person though.

Does anyone know how to contact administration? I checked their PAGE and it seems as if some people were WILLING to give their email to them. Not a good idea. Who is the appropriate person in order to contact on dA? I'm going to have a nose around to see when I have a bit more time (who to contact), but if somone else could best me to it, it would be good.

A part of this weirds me out particulary and leaves me concerned because ItalianShorty... well she's under 16 (right?). Doesn't sit well in particular therefore for me. Now MOST teenagers are told the safety rules of the net as soon as possible, but there's always ONE who forgets/isn't told and certain people will try. Granted they aren't always as forward. Though I had a horrendous experience at 15 once at Hobba hotel.

The person lists their name as 'sandra' underneath their username. 'She' just joined this week apparently.

No age given. Granted if it is a person she could still be a female (gender has little to do with the inappropriateness of this situation), but I'm wondering just how old 'sandra' really is. Could be a bot, could not be. Either way to be safe, should be reported to whoever is appropriate. The admin. But I'm unsure of how you do that.

[sgtyayap]

Found what you're looking for, mentalguru.

help.deviantart.com/238/

[DinoGirl]

Oh right! I forgot about those methods nearly altogether . Yeah they are the best ways of fading out any unwanted activity on your artwork. Hopefully, it won't occur again.

[sgtyayap]

Indeed.

[sgtyayap]

Just reported it. I recommend others (especially NellyTheWitch) do the same.

[mentalguru]

Have reported them on 'request account ban' rather than a reported bot- some of the people who posted on their page suspect a bot, but I'm not sure, so I explained this in the report. (Unsure as to whether it is a bot or a person behaving inappropriately). Some of the people who are complaining about it being a bot. But I'm less sure, so that's why.

Either way, they seem to have been annoying quite a few people- spamming at the very least. Could be a bot, but might not be. Hard to tell precisely.

[mistica0christina]

Child predators on DA?! Somehow not suprising. Still is that the only thing they asked for, just her email? Now that does suprise me, normally online predators start off all with this whole thing of "Hey you like that, me too!" and it soon escaletes from there...but starting off with asking for an email address first? That's off even for them. Still, won't put it past some teenagers to be dumb enough to give the person this info anyway especially if they think that on the other side of that username is a cute girl/ hot guy talking to them. If there's something I've learned from watching too many episodes of Dateline, even when you tell them what to do and not do, some kids still don't listen and will do retarded stuff when it comes to the internet. Hell, they'll even do stupid things in person too. I don't know the person's username but personally, I won't worry about them, I'm twenty three, not some bratty little teenager, I'm personally not interested in sending them any info period...of course it could be a bot too if that's all they are asking for.

[sgtyayap]

Already got a response back from one of the dA staff, despite an email saying it would be a 48-72-hour wait.

"Thank you for contacting deviantART, I will be assisting you with your support ticket.

A member of staff has reviewed this issue and what you are seeing is a new type of spamming tactic which has begun over the last week or so. We have banned this spamming profile.

Please let us know if you find this sort of thing happening again."

I guess it's okay for now.

[mistica0christina]

Huh, judging from what they said, sounds like a spambot...well, sounds like they've got it covered then.

[Bampot]

Doesn't sound like a predator as much as it does a bot or and attempt to spread a virus. But it's nice to hear they're working things out.

[pitbulllady]

While we're on the topic of virus/bot-related issues with DA, I've encountered a LOT of problems with a Trojan-type virus that masquerades as a Windows anti-virus scan. It just will suddenly pop up when I'm browsing on DA, and start "scanning" my computer for threats. My old version of Norton used to block this and warn me of the attempt to attack my computer and even recommended that I avoid DA completely, but for some reason, the new version does not recognize this and lets it start, so I have to immediately close out my browser to prevent it from completing its task. It is NOT a legitimate Windows program. Apparently, there are many viruses which are imbedded in DA, so be careful.

pitbulllady

[Bampot]

True, pitbulllady! I know someone who just this last week had that happen to them on DA as well. I'm pretty sure my anti-virus blocks it, as I've never encountered it before.