I NEED HELP FROM WEB SAVVY READERS.
This morning, I discovered a blog by clicking on the referring URL of a reader from Muscat, Oman. It took me to a blog which looks just like mine, including the blog description but is called "Manoj Blogger". As it happens (and this really freaked me out), Manoj is the name of my brother-in-law, who is a reputed journalist in India with an official archival blog which is at: http://mjoshi.blogspot.com My brother-in-law, Manoj Joshi provides a link to my blog on his page.
This other blog is quite empty and if you click on its banner name (Manoj Blog), it brings you HERE -to Accidental Blogger ! When you go to this blog, the address on the browser that shows up, is of THIS blog – Accidental Blogger. What is this person up to? How has he/she hijacked my address? The creepy blog’s address reads: http://mrk1008.blogspot.com
Can someone please tell me what is going on? And should I worry?
Accidental Blogger 
11 responses to “Freakish Blog Event! Please Help”
It looks to me (and I haven’t spent too much time on it, yet) as if this is someone learning how to set up their blog. SO- they have copied the code of your web site (the html source) and are playing around with it to customize it for their/his blog. Only a theory, more investigation to follow…
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Devan:
Thanks. The real Manoj and I are both freaked out! We don’t know what to make of it. Can you please let me know if you figure out anything else on this creepy event?
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The one thing that’s particularly puzzling to me is why those categories on the left, the little labels next to the arrows, why the last two are “my vision” and “my mission.” The first, “my profile,” seems like something that would be found on a basic template, but those last two probably had to be programmed in (and there’s a thematic connection of religion).
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As I said, “creepy”.
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I’m pretty sure this is just someone trying to build a blog/site of their own using your code. This “Manoj” has simply removed all the html code from your page that did “he” did not want to use and substituted the word “Manoj” for “Accidental” and the words “My profile” for “Categories” and so on. I wouldn’t worry about it unless the page actually changes into something more sinister. (such as copying your actual content, claiming to be you/mjoshi, etc.). Until then I would assume it’s a kid/babe-in-the-woods.
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Okay, thanks. I hope it is just that. Will keep an eye on it. I of course won’t know what to do if it does morph into something more sinister.
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Devan,
One more question. The fact that this website is using my address, could it mean that those who type in the URL for Accidental Blogger, might be redirected there? I don’t understand the full implication of this person “copying / playing around” with my web site.
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If you click View->Source in your browser you will see the html code that renders your page. Copying the source is a very common and far-from-sinister way of creating a copy of an existing page and then tweaking it for desired effect.
All this copying and pasting is only a way to create a copy. It is not a way to usurp or squat onto your URL. So your URL is pretty secure.
In fact, I wouldn’t worry even if all of your content appeared as this person’s blog. All sorts of nifty/ goofy things (depending on one’s point of view) are possible with frames, RSS feeds and the like.
Ultimately, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! (Unfortunately, this particular flattery is of the creepy kind.)
— PIAW
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PIAW:
Thank you for the comforting words. As you may have already figured out, I only know how to blog and know little about the workings of the website. (Although I did set up the whole thing by myself with a lot of trial and error).
I visited the usurper page once again. Hitting the search this blog button revealed the blogger’s name which it appears is indeed Manoj – or so he says. The similarity with my B-I-Law’s name may be coincidental. But this gentleman first came here from Manoj Joshi’s blog and then a little later, from the newly minted one. That is partly why it set the alarm bells ringing about combining the name and the design.
And PIAW, thanks again. Now I know whom to go to in case more strange things happen. Unlike Devan, I do know how to get a hold of you !
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Well you can get a hold of me too (if you so choose); I leave my web address and email address with each post.
Also, I do not think this person- thi ‘accidental manoj’- has hijacked your web site. Since he has copied the code without making too many modifications, there are links to your web site on his.
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Will do, Devan. Thanks.
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