News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by Wingman4l7 on Thursday January 31, 2013 @11:59PM (#5149291)
How long until an enterprising scumbag tries to use this to communicate with their botnet?

It's already been done with Twitter/Tumblr[1] -- anyone know if it's been done with pastebin or any other login-free online note app not protected by a decent CAPTCHA? I'm genuinely curious!

[1]http://ddos.arbornetworks.com/2009/08/twitter-based-botnet-c...

Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by skylarsch on Friday February 01, 2013 @12:16AM (#5149338)
I hadn't really thought about it. Threw this together in an evening.

Right now I'm not concerned just because it's not very popular. May have to think about adding some kind of check in the future.

Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by Wingman4l7 on Friday February 01, 2013 @12:24AM (#5149354)
Oh I doubt you'll have to worry about it, it just got me thinking. Botnet operators will likely only experiment with bigger note-app websites that have been around for a while and which have legit traffic to hide their activities.
Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by crowdis on Friday February 01, 2013 @12:19AM (#5149343)
I guess you could use a CAPTCHA in lieu of a login when someone first creates a note.
Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by skylarsch on Friday February 01, 2013 @12:22AM (#5149351)
Not really a fan of CAPTCHA. May have some kind of "How many kittens are in the picture"
Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by Wingman4l7 on Friday February 01, 2013 @12:27AM (#5149368)
That would be http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/redmond/projects/asir...

There is also one where you assemble a puzzle: https://www.keycaptcha.com/

They have varying levels of handicapped accessibility though.

Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by skylarsch on Friday February 01, 2013 @12:36AM (#5149401)
Thanks. Honestly I'm not that concerned about it. If there is a sudden mysterious spike in traffic I may look into it.
Re:Show HN: A stupid simple note app by Wingman4l7 on Sunday February 03, 2013 @05:53PM (#5161564)
Looks like pastebin has been abused in such a manner, just Google "pastebin botnet".