Buyer beware

****WARNING: RANT AHEAD!****

There are several Twitter-related products on the market right now.

I use the term "buyer" and "product" loosely because most of the addons are advertised as 'free.'

As a long-time denizen of the Internet, I can honestly say that signing up on any website that asks you for your username and password to any other website is kind of like handing a loaded gun to an angry man, you are likely to be shot.

This is called 'phishing' and this is illegal. Period. I don't care if you don't think its dangerou or not, it's just plain not smart.

Sure, they don't ask you for your email addres... why would they? They have your username and password, so they can use a webbot to log into your account details and get all the information there. From there, they can test the email and password at a variety of other sites - INCLUDING YOUR BANK, and, then, through trial and error and enough automation, eventually garner enough information to be able to pose as you and steal your identity.

All because you wanted 19,000 followers on Twitter? For what? Do you really read everything your friends Tweet? I have an account, and I had to shut all my device updates off because my darn phone was going off every 5 seconds with a new message, and I only follow about 48 people. (Some of whom, like Mike Dillard don't spam us all day, and others that I know are sending out something every 10 minutes).

Be smart. Be safe. Never give your username and password to anyone for any reason.

Ciao for now.