Apple recently launched iTunes 10, along with Ping. The social media service has no spam or URL filtering, and many have said that the service has been quickly become inundated with spam messages.
Strangely, Apple seems to have anticipated a certain degree of malfeasance, as profile pictures that you upload will not appear until approved by Apple, writes Chester Wisniewski. They are likely filtering for other offensive content as well, so they probably have means in place they could use to stop the spam. Another problem that is likely to contribute to spam is that it is quite easy to create bogus accounts for the Ping service because no credit card or other positive identification is required to participate.
Coincidentally, the most common spam on Ping at the moment targets Apple itself, Wisniewski continued. The attacks are nearly identical to survey spams we have blogged about on Facebook, Google and Twitter. If half as many free iPads, iPhones and iPods were being given away as Ping comments might lead you to believe, there would be no reason to bother with going to an Apple store. But if you actually want an Apple device, my advice is to go out and buy one, as filling out surveys will likely only end in tears.
Source: Sophos
