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"One example of how it works\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. An enticing board\nThis board appears to be full of special offers of some sort.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. Even better\nA closer look reveals an opportunity for a free $500 gift card to H&amp;M if you click on the link.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. But first...\nTo access the great deal, you have to re-pin the image, which spreads the false offer's reach.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Too bad\nTurns out they're out of gift cards, but --  now that you've re-pinned the offer -- click on the link to find more great deals!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. More great opportunities\nIf you just fill out a quick questionnaire, your failed H&amp;M offer will be replaced by another too-good-to-be-true deal.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe popularity of picture-based service Pinterest also makes it an increased target for scams, according to one online security expert who spoke to Mashable. \nPinterest's simple, intuitive interface \u2014 fueling its popularity \u2014 also makes it an easier target for scammers than other social networks, says Catalin Cosoi, chief security researcher at the antivirus software provider BitDefender. Unlike Facebook or Twitter, where clever sentences and closed networks add obstacles for would-be scammers, a simple eye-catching photo can entrap imprudent Pinterest users and spread quickly. \n\"It's very tricky because, so far, for Facebook and Twitter it's quite easy to spot a scam \u2014 you have to install an app or follow a certain link,\" Cosoi says. \"With Pinterest, on the other hand, it's only a picture you have to click on or re-pin.\" \nMost Pinterest scams so far involve surveys, and are the most common plots across all social media sites, according to Cosoi. A seemingly great offer for a discounted service or product will first ask users for personal information. \nThat personal information enables more directly targeted attacks and come-ons to unsuspecting users. (See gallery above for examples.)\n\"When a service is new and there are a lot of users joining, there's a false sense of security,\" Cosoi says. \nSo how can prolific pinners avoid becoming prey? Cosoi says to use extreme caution when providing personal or professional information \u2014 as opposed to tastes and favorites \u2014 online. He also recommends using link scanners and other malware-fighting tools. \nPinterest is aware of the spam and phishing challenges it will face with continued growth, and says addressing them quickly is a \"tremendous priority.\" \n\"Our engineers are actively working to manage issues as they arise and are revisiting the nature of public feeds on the site to make it harder for fake or harmful content to get into them,\" a company spokesperson told Mashable in an email. \nPinterest isn't the first social network to face security issues, though, and won't be last. \n\"This is something we'll see everyday,\" Cosoi says. \"As a service becomes more popular, malware writers and scammers will see if they can use the tool for bad, as well.\" \nHave you come across attempted scams on Pinterest? What were they like? Let us know in the comments. \nBONUS GALLERY: Inside Pinterest Headquarters\n\n\nPinterest HQ Tour\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Surprising Exterior\nThis is the front of the Pinterest office in downtown Palo Alto. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBranding\nThis is the first thing you see upon entering Pinterest's HQ -- now that's more like it!\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAn Open Loft\nWalking in the front door, you'll see this hall with quirky artwork and fan mail on the wall. Desks are on the left and straight ahead are stairs up to a small loft office area. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nKeeping an Eye on the Stats\nOriginally, the back wall was orange, but they painted it red. Two screens display Pinterest analytics and the homepage, respectively. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Team Environment\nTwo Pinterest employees discuss their work.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nArt Is Welcome\nThe brother of an employee drew this dino sketch on the wall of the main office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nA Horse Is a Horse, Of Course\nSeveral Pinterest employees told us that this is their favorite piece of wall art in the office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSnack Time\nThe back room is stocked with junk food and various snacks. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nReception\nIf you visit Pinterest in Palo Alto, they may ask you to have a seat in this cozy little area at the front of the open-concept office. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStaying Hydrated\nOffice manager Leslie told me the staff loves Dr. Pepper. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNerf Darts\nCan you see the Nerf dart in these blinds? Those brightly-colored darts are everywhere in the office. Pinterest-ers used to have Nerf guns, but decided that just throwing the darts was easier. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFoosball Break\nI asked these guys if they have any meetings today. \"This is a meeting,\" one of them replied.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFan Mail\nFan mail is posted on a wall near the front door. The letters range in tone from touching to quirky. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nConference Room\nThis is one of the secluded offices where smaller meetings are held. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Bullpen\nPinterest employees work in the open-space loft office in Palo Alto. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHard At Work\nA Pinterest employee works on the website at the office in Palo Alto, Calif. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPinterest Decor\nA creative fan sent Pinterest these pretty ornaments.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFun Stuff Everywhere\nEverywhere you turn in the office, there's something cool to look at --- just like Pinterest. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nView From the Top\nThe upstairs open-air loft office looks down on the bull pen area. Right now, no one sits upstairs, but the company is rapidly growing and will have to look for a new office soon. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScam gallery images courtesy of BitDefender"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2012/03/15/pinterest-scams/>