Zynga, the developers behind Farmville, Words with Friends, Zynga Poker, and other Facebook games, and particularly their security team wants you to avoid falling for phishing scams.
“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Zynga Security wants you to learn that lesson well. They also want you to keep your computer and accounts secure, avoid phishing attempts, and stay clear of hacks, bots, and cheats. While you’re at it, keep your computer and browser up to date.
To help convey these lessons, Zynga has created PrivacyVille, a little “game” that walks you through the Zynga Privacy Policy.
Being walked through the Zynga Privacy information is actually a pretty good way to get people to actually read the long, stuffy document. The only issue I’d raise is that it ironically sounds a bit like a scam attempt. Despite being on the official Zynga website, you have a sign dangling down trying to entice you to play PrivacyVille for 200 zPoints.
After you go through the complete town, you can take a very easy 5 question quiz to be eligible for the 200 promised points. At that point, you’ll get this instruction:
Whoa! Wait a minute! Now I have to install some application in order to get this promised reward. Sorry, that throws up a red flag for me before I even get to “RewardVille“.
Trying to entice the masses to read about security rides a fine line between success and hypocrisy. Zynga, I give you an ‘A’ for effort but a ‘C+’ in execution. Don’t worry. There is no application required to collect those.