Internet Forums and Security

February 14, 2005 Science and Technology 0

I’ve been having an email exchange recently regarding online privacy and such. I mention no names in order to respect that privacy. However I felt the issues raised are worth open discussion.

Internet forums are strange places. You get all sorts visiting them and each has an agenda. Sometimes, these people know each other in real life (yup, there is one outside the Internet). Mostly, though, they are a collection of anonymous online personas who engage in like minded chatter. Curiously the most popular subsets of any forum seem to be those dedicated to general chat. One such forum that I frequented for a while was Ridersite. Following the demise of BikeNet it seemed that all the old regulars wound up here. Unfortunately, as with any community on or off line, a clique developed. If you were in the clique, you were fine. If you weren’t well, expect a flame war the minute you step out of line. It seemed that moderation was generally biased in favour of the clique. After a discussion degenerated into personal abuse, I quietly slipped away as I have better things to do with my time.

About eighteen months later I returned just to see what was going on as maybe things had changed for the better. Oh, well, ever the optimist. An entry in my blog prompted some vicious personal abuse because the contributor believed I was criticising another member of the forum. I wasn’t; the piece was an introspective. The criticism merely demonstrated my accuser’s inability to grasp the principles of English grammar. I am careful with my use of language and use words that convey my meaning as precisely as possible. I also try to use a light tone in my style. What I faced was the classic strawman argument. My words were twisted into something I didn’t say and thrown back at me. When faced with a strawman, I point it out and move on. I do not engage in defending what I didn’t say. A similar collection of attacks by the regular clique followed what was supposed to be a lighthearted exchange about theology. Okay, I know, I know, dangerous ground at the best of times. As on the previous occasion, I slipped quietly away. I prefer not to indulge in the drama queen exit as I can’t find a dress size to fit.

The other motorcycle forum I visit is the UK Bike Forum formed by Ridersite dissidents, it is generally better run and moderated. However, there is a protected forum, which I was recently eligible to join. At least three threads are devoted to personal attacks on other members who do not have access and cannot therefore defend themselves.

What does all this mean? Well, to me it means that people can be as unpleasant, tribal and downright nasty online as they can be offline. The Internet is merely a reflection of society and all its behaviours good and bad. When you put this together with spyware, virus attacks, hacking, SPAM and paedophile grooming activities you wonder sometimes whether it is worth it.

Of course it is. The Internet is like the outside world; you get out what you put in. You just need to use common sense when dealing with little matters of personal security and engaging with others. If you find a forum where things work and you get good advice and even friendship then that’s good. However, like any group, there will be those who will spoil it – deal with it using pragmatism and common sense. Don’t engage in flame wars – just walk away. If you want to stay, then just drop out of the conversation. They want you to bite, that is why they do it.
On the matter of those who would invade your privacy or even your computer, then there are a number of practical measures;

  • Use a firewall. It also helps to use the stealth mode setting if it has one.
  • Use vigorous anti-spyware software. Not just sweepers that work after it’s infected your machine, use one that stops it getting there in the first place.
  • Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date.
  • If your ISP doesn’t filter for SPAM then get a filter – preferably one that works server side.
  • Be careful about what personal information you give out.

That last point is important – while I have never been particularly concerned about my identity being known, I would no more give out home address or my telephone number online than I would hand over my house keys to a complete stranger offline. It really is a matter of sensible precautions. The same applies to the sites you visit. Would I go alone into the red light district of Bristol late at night? No – no more than I would visit sites on the Internet that could be a danger to my online health.

I’ve listed a few useful links for anyone who is interested. Take care out there.

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