OT: Match.com's Message System Exposes Private "Outside" Email Addresses

Stephen cryptworks at gmail.com
Thu Jun 25 10:16:57 MST 2009


yet another strike against match.com in my book.

On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 8:05 AM, Lisa Kachold<lisakachold at obnosis.com> wrote:
> <p>
> Match.com, the popular paid online "secure" dating site, was found to
> reveal private email addresses during messaging.</p>
> <p>
> Email Reply headers in the Messages reading pane reveal the "outside"
> email of the dating parties to each other.  So my reading pane shows
> clearly at the top of an email Match.com "Message" thread:</p>
> <p>
> Date: Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:18:23 -0500</p><p>
> From: obnosis at talkmatch.com</p><p>
> To: pairaway at hotmail.com</p><p>
> Subject: Match.com Message: RE: Itsadate</p><p>
> </p>
> <p>
> So, I "obnosis at talkmatch" (obfuscated email Match.com only email
> address) would immediately know that a man identified only by his
> Match.com screen name, was really "pairaway at hotmail.com".  And
> alternately he would also be able to see my outside email address in
> his Messages reading pane.</p>
> <p>
> While at the same time, the bottom of the email Match.com "Message"
> thread their application tacks on a nice DISCLAIMER:</p>
> <pre>
> ------start------
> Important tips: Protect your privacy
>
> Our email system strips away your real email address so that the
> recipient will NOT see it in the
> From: line; however, you must...
>        • Remove any mention of your email address from the body of your message.
> • Remove or turn off any automatic signature at the end of your email.
> • Avoid using Cc: or Bcc: to help protect your identity.
> If you receive an email that you find offensive or contains
> advertisements for products or services other than Match.com, please
> forward the message immediately to abuse at cc.match.com.
> If you no longer wish to receive communication from this person you
> can block this user from further contact here.
>
>
> DISCLAIMER
> Match.com does not screen private email between members, nor are we
> liable for the content of these messages. All members are bound by the
> Match.com Service Agreement.
>
> ---end----
> </pre>
> <p>
> Match.com was informed on June 25, 2009 with screenshots.  They have
> yet to respond to this serious security application layer issue.</p>
>
> Screenshot: http://www.obnosis.com/motivatebytruth/match_shows_outside_email.jpg
> --
> (503)754-4452 tribe.obnosis.com
> scientology.obnosis.com
> plug.obnosis.com
> ---------------------------------------------------
> PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss at lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
> To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings:
> http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
>



-- 
A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from
rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

Stephen


More information about the PLUG-discuss mailing list