Computer Geek Question.....about back tracking...???

[Sourdough]

Just how anonymous is this computer posting stuff.....???

Sure the FBI and the CIA, could backtrack to your door...I assume.

So here is the question, If someone enraged an unstable homicidal Internet technology professional......could he backtrack to where the person posted from...???

If question is unclear let me know. I can barely get on-line and check mail.

[Scoobywan]

In order to track someone down via the internet, you have to get their IP address, I'm sure it's logged on the server you're posting to, but not everyone can access them. If someone where to get your IP address, it's simple to find out what ISP (internet service provider) and general location that IP is from. But to get down to your actual address you'd have to contact the ISP and they wouldn't give just anybody your address. Now that answer doesn't take into account people hacking the servers your posting to, or hacking the ISP you use. In order for someone to show up at your front door (that's not a federal agent of some sort) it would take some work and some illegal actions. When sending emails or using instant messengers finding someone IP gets easier, but still you have the getting the address from the ISP problem. But if however, you use your actual name (first and last), and have a listed phone number, someone could backtrack the IP and find your general location, then just use the phonebook to find your physical address. So, is it possible, yes. Is it worth someones time to track you down.... only if you really really p*ssed them off. There are many ways to find info, not just the one I described... but that would be the most common, I think.

[Sourdough]

Thank You.........

[LowKey]

Watch out for registered static IP addys (usually registered in blocks)...especially if you log in from work.

Registered static IPs are very easy to trace to the owner of the block using a reverse DNS search. They may not find your house but they'll know where you work.

On forums, usually only the Admin and high-level Mods can see IPs (it's a spam control measure). If a forum has an open "Who's Online" list showing IPs, I don't join. (The list here isn't open).

If you access any other person's website on the internet, they can run a list of all IPs that ping their site. If you post a comment in a blog, your IP is registered and your post time stamp tells em where to look.

Be careful out there.

[wildography]

Just how anonymous is this computer posting stuff.....???

Well, if you live in Hope, Alaska, and if you live in Chugach National Forest, near Trail lake... it took me about 4 minutes to GOOGLE search your user name and the other info in your wilderness-survival profile... if you don't live anywhere near there... it takes a lot longer... unless you have "professional"/"governmental"/"hacker" access...

[LowKey]

^That's your bigger risk. Posting TMI.

[Sourdough]

So is there an element of danger....And if so....where does the danger exist.

[LowKey]

Depends on what you define as danger.

I've known people to get busted for surfing the internet at work cuz they posted to a blog and the blog owner sent an email to the IT address at their place of business...

[Sourdough]

^That's your bigger risk. Posting TMI.

What is TMI......?

[crashdive123]

TMI = Too Much Information

[Sourdough]

Well, if you live in Hope, Alaska, and if you live in Chugach National Forest, near Trail lake... it took me about 4 minutes to GOOGLE search your user name and the other info in your wilderness-survival profile... if you don't live anywhere near there... it takes a lot longer... unless you have "professional"/"governmental"/"hacker" access...

But you would still not if the the information was bait........?

So now my question is what do you know for sure. If anything.

And does the information have any value to anyone......? If so to whom, and to what end.......?

[wareagle69]

hopeak quite playing with your food

[Sourdough]

Wareagle, my guess is you know where this leads too.

And the food is the bait, or could become the bait.

See, I think in the end it is checkmate. And the information is useless.

[Ken]

Hopeak,

Big Brother arrived over a decade ago. He established permanent residence on 9/11.

The government can find out anything it wants to about you from your internet use.

My work often requires me to obtain information on various individuals. Generally, I find what I need very quickly all by myself. If not, I use a P.I. who legally gets me all of the information I need.

Today, if one works in the right government agency, especially if they can issue a "national security letter", they can find out prety much everything about you. Online habits, financial info, family and friends, what you eat, what you buy, where you drive, who you associate with, the pics you send and receive, and store on your cell phone. It's incredible.

Did you know that the technology exists to eavesdrop on you through your cable television hook-up? Most cable companies can turn on your cable box AND television from their location. Your television speaker is really nothing more than a large microphone. Reverse a few connections on their side of the box and everything you say in your home can be overheard. 1984. It's happened.

Shop at B.J.'s, Sam's Club, any grocery chain where you use a "customer savings card" - all these places keep a record of everything you purchase.

Pull out one of those "instant savings coupons" from the electronic dispenser on the grocery shelf and there's a good chance your picture gets taken. Each coupon has an unique identifying code. Buy the product, and the store now has a record of your purchase with this specific coupon. The manufacturer can obtain this info from the retailer and match your name with your photograph.

It's quite easy to set up a photo album of all the folks in your town who suffer from hemmoroids or herpes. They can even predict your cholesterol levels!

During the VietNam war, spec forces units sometimes snuck into enemy camps to draw samples out of the latrines. Why? So the samples could be analyzed to determine how well nourished the NVA and Vietcong were. Today, the government can pretty much do the same with all of us electronically.

On November 11, 2007, Donald Kerr, Deputy Director of National Intelligence stated, "Privacy no longer can mean anonymity. Instead, it should mean that government and businesses properly safeguard people's private communications and financial information."

A long while back (don't remember the thread) I suggested that this forum is probably monitored by someone, somewhere, and I didn't mean by Chris or one of the Super Moderators, either.

Makes you sick, doesn't it?

[Sourdough]

Ken, Yes to all of that.

And what interests me is two related things. One.... that I foolishly posted my photo, and my location. And second ....that some people have stated that should the "SHTF" and their children or family was hungry & or starving they would do what ever was necessary. Then throw in the standard issue crazy who gets his feeling hurt, and has a fleet of battle rifles.

So I ask really where does that leave me.....?

Now I am a great lover of James Clavell novels. So perhaps all is not as it appears.......

Now that said, several people have posted their photo and their place of employment, what they drive, photos of their wife, kids, them in work uniform, etc.

So that leads me to well, "SO WHAT". What is the value of hiding, or the downside to people knowing who you are, where you live, what you look like.

So what could someone do with the information they got or think they have about someone on the INTERNET. Should I be concerned, or should they be concerned the information is bait.....?

[woodsman86]

Let me share a story about big brother.

At one of the units on my post there was a group of Soldiers on extra duty (being punished). Being the steller performers they were they decided to make a video of themselves acting like ignorant morons. All of the Soldiers involved did not have their tops on with the unit patch and name. In the video they were using racial slurs and demonstrating racist behavior to put it mildly. One of the Soldiers decided it would be a good idea to then post this video on YouTube. Literally within 30 minutes there were FBI and CID agents in the Brigade Commander's office of the Soldier that posted the video. They were dealt with and none of those Soldier are in the military any longer.

This is just something to think about when you think no one is watching.

[Sourdough]

To the extent possible I would like this thread to be about "NON"-Government problems.

Is your safety compromised by "Non Government people" knowing where you live....or does it not matter.

If you get someone from the Internet in a rage, just foaming at the mouth, and he comes to your house......just who is at risk...???

[doug1980]

To the extent possible I would like this thread to be about "NON"-Government problems.

Is your safety compromised by "Non Government people" knowing where you live....or does it not matter.

If you get someone from the Internet in a rage, just foaming at the mouth, and he comes to your house......just who is at risk...???

Actually something like this has happened on another forum I belong to. A member posted a picture and hometown info on a political forum of another member. Well the other memeber seen his pic and was able to find out exactly who it was that used his pic.

Another instance I have heard of was a young Airman who lived in the dorms on Base posted pics of himself holding a gun his room on myspace. The next day he had some explaining because no guns are allowed in the dorms. Turns out myspace is monitored by OSI.

It's a scary world we live in these days that's for sure. No matter what you do or where you go there may be someone watching or listening.

[canid]

well that depends on what you post, how you post and who you might be worried about.

if you have people to worry about, and you post information that can uniquely identify you, you should be worried. if on the other hand you aren't worried about somebody person, known or unknown knowing your address or name, i wouldn't worry.

i've only had one person threatening to kill me recently, and he already knows where i live. i don't do much i wouldn't want strangers knowing about and usually before somebody wishes me enough ill to be a danger, i know who they are and why they are angry.

[The Shadoran Nomad]

In order to track someone down via the internet, you have to get their IP address, I'm sure it's logged on the server you're posting to, but not everyone can access them. If someone where to get your IP address, it's simple to find out what ISP (internet service provider) and general location that IP is from. But to get down to your actual address you'd have to contact the ISP and they wouldn't give just anybody your address. Now that answer doesn't take into account people hacking the servers your posting to, or hacking the ISP you use. In order for someone to show up at your front door (that's not a federal agent of some sort) it would take some work and some illegal actions. When sending emails or using instant messengers finding someone IP gets easier, but still you have the getting the address from the ISP problem. But if however, you use your actual name (first and last), and have a listed phone number, someone could backtrack the IP and find your general location, then just use the phonebook to find your physical address. So, is it possible, yes. Is it worth someones time to track you down.... only if you really really p*ssed them off. There are many ways to find info, not just the one I described... but that would be the most common, I think.

Wow - that was really well explained. I actually learned something from that post. Thanks