Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Threatened online... help!

wordmunger said:
My only point was that anonymizing yourself online isn't going to protect you from any number of dangers. It's extremely unlikely that someone will decide to physically harm you based solely on the fact that they know your real name.

Thousands of people know your name. You're very likely listed in the phone book under your real name. Finding out your real name isn't what makes people cross the line and physically attack you.

PZ Myers, the influential biologist who I blog with at ScienceBlogs, has received dozens of threatening emails due to his pro-evolution, anti-religion rants. But no one has ever physically threatened him in person. Anyone who reads his blog knows his name, where he works, even the names of his kids.

I'm not saying you need to be as "public" about your identity as PZ, but realize that even very high profile individuals, who receive lots of threats, rarely see them followed through.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. The new factor here is the internet, and the unique ability it creates for being both public and anonymous. I think this has created new expectations for anonymity, and ironically, a new kind of paranoia when that anonymity is threatened. For years, half a million readers of my county paper saw my name and mug running right next to my opinions. Before that, I published a very public and very controversial web site under my own name. Over those years, I received lots of angry e-mail (most of which I answered personally) including one death threat. The death threat was chilling at first, but quickly I realized that this is the price of admission for having opinions and a public face. Today, I laugh about it. In fact, thanks to that nutter, I have damn good story to tell. Maybe I should write and thank him.
 
Well, it's about a month and a half later and I thought I'd see if anyone had anything to say at this point.

I have to say that I'm only now starting to feel slightly less paranoid, but still very much on edge overall. I've always been a paranoid person by nature... this isn't helping. :(
 
It's easier to make light of the situation when you're not involved in it, but I also know that it could be much, much worse so I'm trying to see it from a third party perspective.

Like I said, though, I'm naturally a little paranoid so it's hard to shake the feeling once I think there's a chance someone could have it in for me (regardless of whether or not it's possible they could ever even find me).

In "real life", whenever I've felt threatened by someone, I've always been able to confront them with confidence and end it right there. I'm pretty confrontation in person. That's what I don't like about this situation. There doesn't seem to be much I can do but sit here and try to keep my imagination from becoming my worst enemy. :mad:
 
Just take it easy! All you need is something to take your mind of it – fortunately :apple: has heard your cries, and they have decided to release Leopard tomorrow! Just for you! :D

So forget about silly guy, and celebrate your Mac instead! :cool: :p :)
 
Rodimus Prime said:
well first off unless you click a link in his buddy profile, or did some type of direct connection with him he does not have your IP address.

Also having you ip address is fairly useless beyond getting what city you on in. Heck the one from my home town says I am am in Houston when I look it up. My home town is just outside of Houston.
On top of that chances are your ip address is dynamic which means it changes about once a week or so. Very few people have a static IP address and I do not think you have one.

Also oh wow he knows you screen name and email. Unless one of them is a lot like your real name it is not going to get him any where. He can go to your city and look for you but you are what 1 person out of 20k. So yeah odds are he would never find you.

He is all talk and no action. People are all big and tough behind a computer but in real life most of them are wusses. Heck people who do that to me I be come a little arrogant to them just blow them off.

People worry way to much about their IP address. For the most part it is a useless string of numbers point to your computer in cyber space. As for location in real life not really useful to find some one with out going though the internet company and they will not give out that info with out a court order.

Just relax and hell become a little arrogant to him. It a great way to pull the thunder out from them when they know you really do not give a hoot about the threat.
Click to expand...

This has to be the absolute worst advice I've ever seen on the internet, and that's saying something.
 
progx said:
If he breaks into your house, anything you do to him is perfectly legal. As long as it's in self-defense.
Click to expand...

Although this isn't far behind in the race for bad advice. I hope you're kidding, because this is absolutely wrong.
 
someguy said:
It's easier to make light of the situation when you're not involved in it, but I also know that it could be much, much worse so I'm trying to see it from a third party perspective.

Like I said, though, I'm naturally a little paranoid so it's hard to shake the feeling once I think there's a chance someone could have it in for me (regardless of whether or not it's possible they could ever even find me).

In "real life", whenever I've felt threatened by someone, I've always been able to confront them with confidence and end it right there. I'm pretty confrontation in person. That's what I don't like about this situation. There doesn't seem to be much I can do but sit here and try to keep my imagination from becoming my worst enemy. :mad:
Click to expand...

Maybe I am making light of it, but the point is, I think you should too. And as you know, this is not coming from someone who doesn't have personal experience with this situation. The worst threat I encountered was far more serious than yours, but within a couple of days, I was prepared to laugh it off.

The fact is, the vast majority of people who make these kinds of threats are completely cowardly passive-aggressive types. That is why they pull these spineless stunts. It makes them feel powerful. By toting around this paranoia you are playing this jerk's game. Think about that for a while, and I believe you will get over it.
 
He has probably just delivered exactly the same scenario to about 10 new people by now.He may not even remember your name at this stage.


Just try and forget him.Whatever you do though dont get back into his cycle.He will play it just the same as he did last time.


Just try and move on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back