Being harassed and bullied by internet troll

OfAllTheNames

Hi,

I'm at my wits end here and don't know where to turn or what to do.

I have a social media outlet, a blog let's say, and a troll has been at me and at me for the past year or s. Always making snide comments which I can handle. I block the troll but they pop up again within hours with a new username.

In the past few weeks they've hugely stepped up their game. They've found my address. They've tweeted me saying they've found all my family's facebooks (they've given names) and they're singing me up for umpteen newsletters using my blog email in my local town. They've also scheduled meetings using my email online with random companies.

I've reported them to Google but Google replied saying they are not violating any terms.

I'm almost in tears here. I fear for my family. I've always taken my personal security online quite seriously. I've never shared personal information, not even the county I live in, so I don't know how this has all happened.

The guards are aware and the investigating guard has done loads to help me. Google are being extremely uncooperative with the police, they are requesting report after report form the guard and the guard says it could take six months to a year for Google to give any information about the troll.

What can I do? I'm so stressed out.

kneemos

Put down the internet and pick up a book and smell the roses.
Ignoring these morons usually gets rid of them.

OfAllTheNames

kneemos wrote: »

Put down the internet and pick up a book and smell the roses.
Ignoring these morons usually gets rid of them.

I've ignored him/her for the past year. I think I responded twice back in the day but never any more. I carry on as if they don't exist. They will not give up. My blog is my business so leaving the internet isn't an option.

DoYouEvenLift

Log out.


Edit: Jesus, a year lol. They're fuked in the head, do they not realise they could've actually accomplished something better for themselves if they didn't waste all that time. Trolls like that are actually mind blowing, I wonder what they look like

sheesh

is google hosting the blog?

OfAllTheNames

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

Log out.

Not an option. My blog is my business and my income relies on it.

chupacabra

May I ask what the nature of your blog is? And why they first started attacking you? Is there a reason or was it totally random?

Winty

do you know him / her in real life?

GerB40

Jesus I can't stand that shít. I'm sorry you're being treated in such a manner. What might help is contacting the citizens information bureau, generally when they get involved they speed up whichever process is in place to sort your situation out. In this case it's the Gardaí but they might also be able to get you in contact with people who deal with Internet bullying/trolling. Other than that I wouldn't know what to do but I hope it gets resolved.

OfAllTheNames

chupacabra wrote: »

May I ask what the nature of your blog is? And why they first started attacking you? Is there a reason or was it totally random?

It's a beauty blog. They first started attacking another beauty blogger and slowly they began to take on several of us. I'm not alone in all of this. There are about four or five of us being attacked in the exact same way. Last week the troll sent one of them a message saying to keep an eye in the post because he/she was sending something to her.

This is not normal and we can't continue living our lives like this.

harry Bailey esq

If blogging is your profession,Your obviously fairly internet savvy.Find the ip address and turn the tables on this clown

conorhal

GerB40 wrote: »

Jesus I can't stand that shít. I'm sorry you're being treated in such a manner. What might help is contacting the citizens information bureau, generally when they get involved they speed up whichever process is in place to sort your situation out. In this case it's the Gardaí but they might also be able to get you in contact with people who deal with Internet bullying/trolling. Other than that I wouldn't know what to do but I hope it gets resolved.

I see the Guards aren't up to much on this. I believe that several private IT investigative firms have sprung up to deal with this sort of problem. They may have more success in tracking down the culprit.

OfAllTheNames

Winty wrote: »

do you know him / her in real life?

I highly doubt it. They seem very proud to have dug up this information so I reckon they're just an internet whizz. They're even using an IP address masking software so us normal folk can't track them.

OfAllTheNames

conorhal wrote: »

I see the Guards aren't up to much on this. I believe that several private IT investigative firms have sprung up to deal with this sort of problem. They may have more success in tracking down the culprit.

The guard has shown me all the work he's put into it, genuinely I was shocked at how helpful and interested he is in this case. It's the paperwork and Google holding it up.

Contact the Gardai. They may not prosecute, but the sight of Garda on their door should get most smartarses to calm down. If they step it up, well they're on the Grda radar then.

http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/cp%20info%20sheet%20-%20online%20harassment-2012-11-12.pdf

Edit sorry, I see you have. Pity you're sunning up against a brick wall there.

OfAllTheNames

harry Bailey esq wrote: »

If blogging is your profession,Your obviously fairly internet savvy.Find the ip address and turn the tables on this clown

They are using an IP masking software.

SEPT 23 1989

Do you know any large men who could visit them and request them to stop?

OfAllTheNames

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Do you know any large men who could visit them and request them to stop?

I do indeed but finding them is the problem... They're using IP address masking software. Looks like trolling might be their profession too!

chupacabra

If they are going to trouble of masking their IP then this individual has problems. I've had to deal with some similar stuff over the years so I know what it feels like. Just try to stay calm and above all else dont show any emotion towards the person. Thats just feeding their obsession.

How about contacting your Solicitor and getting them to write to Google and say their refusal to co operate is leading to an unlawful interference with your business relations and the infliction of emotional distress. Both are kinda long shots in the tort world, but the thought of them having to engage their own legal team to react might persuade them to get the finger out for once and for all.

Winty

OfAllTheNames wrote: »

I highly doubt it. They seem very proud to have dug up this information so I reckon they're just an internet whizz. They're even using an IP address masking software so us normal folk can't track them.

I would love if that were true but the truth is the person more than likely knows you.
Its very rare that they are some kid on the other side of the world.
Sorry its happening

blackwave

I cant see an easy solution to this I'm afraid if they are internet savvy. As they are probably using disposable emails etc. Really hope you find a solution to this

TimeToShine

The gardai and Google will be of little help here. If this really is your livelihood, you need to hire an IT investigator to look into matters. To be honest, it's all probably a bluff anyway. Internet trolls talk the talk but most definitely do not have the resources nor the testicular fortitude to initiate anything in person. The fact that you fear for yourself and your family's safety is all the reaction they were looking for, and to be frank it's about the extent of what they can achieve.

KomradeBishop

IP masking software doesn't exist, what he is doing is using a proxy - i.e. his connection is just passing through one (or several) other computers, before getting to your blog.

Depending on what he is using to connect like this, he might still be traceable - if he is using a VPN service, some companies hosting that may be willing to pass on information if there's proof of harassment and stuff like that.

There are some proxy methods which are pretty much untraceable though, but there is often a tradeoff between:
1: Being untraceable (many VPN services are very traceable),
2: Being unblockable (many free proxy services have publicly obtainable IP lists, that can be blocked), or
3: Having a cheap/free service (getting both of the above together, can cost more money).

If he is using Tor for instance, he is completely untraceable - but it's possible to just completely block all Tor exit nodes so he can't connect:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9780038/is-it-possible-to-block-tor-users

blackwave

Quick Q was their twitter account they used to threaten you just a new account or has it been up a while?

20Cent

Awful thing to be happening. Have heard of companies that help with situations like this. one was located at the Nova start up centre inUCD can't remember the name will look it up later.

SpaceTime

Change to a smaller hosting company for your blog and email accounts. That way you might be able to get a response far more quickly.

Also, if they're chasing family members etc, consult a solicitor. You should probably see if there's any civil action that they should have explained to them in detail. Harassing someone can end up in more than just criminal sanctions.

Are they based in Ireland or abroad?

OfAllTheNames

Thanks for all your suggestions, I think I will have to go to a Private Investigator. Can anyone recommend any or is that even allowed here?

I know the troll probably won't ever act on these threats and I understand me being stressed is EXACTLY what they want but it's difficult to stay calm when someone is saying "I found your sister's personal ***** account, she looks just like you! I love *insert my home county here* too!"

Gives me the shivers.

OfAllTheNames

SpaceTime wrote: »

Change to a smaller hosting company for your blog and email accounts. That way you might be able to get a response far more quickly.

Also, if they're chasing family members etc, consult a solicitor. You should probably see if there's any civil action that they should have explained to them in detail. Harassing someone can end up in more than just criminal sanctions.

Are they based in Ireland or abroad?

I have no idea where they are based. The IP masking software has bounced up IP addresses in the UK, in California, and in Vietnam. So could be anywhere. Could be my neighbour!

OfAllTheNames

blackwave wrote: »

Quick Q was their twitter account they used to threaten you just a new account or has it been up a while?

New account, the accounts never last long before they move onto the next.

DoYouEvenLift

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Do you know any large men who could visit them and request them to stop?

Did you know that the internet is actually worldwide?

Mesrine65

http://www.grantthornton.ie/Services/Advisory-services/Forensic-and-investigation-services/IT-forensics

http://www.rits.ie/services_forensics.html

SpaceTime

That's very annoying. I'd say a private investigator might be helpful, especially if they're undermining your livelihood.

If they make any physical threats the Gardai are your best option though.

Google may not be all that much help if it's a string of proxy connections etc etc though they'll only have whatever info they have which mightn't be as much as would be useful in tracing this person.
A forensic IT investigator might be able to look at other avenues to track them down though - there are ways and means and stalkers are unlikely to also be IT geniuses - they'll slip up somewhere !

In the meantime : log absolutely everything and make sure that someone else is aware of those logs- perhaps send a weekly update to the Garda who is investing too.

Mint Aero

Mint Aero has a nose for these things. I'd guess it's someone you know who's well jelly of your business & success. Hope that helps OP.

DoYouEvenLift

OP I hope your boards username isn't related to anything on your blog etc. in any way so they can't find this thread. If they did they'd have confirmation that they're getting to you

zagmund

What *exactly* are they doing that is a problem for you? Saying that your sister has a website and looks like you . . . presumably this is correct.

I'm not defending this person at all, just trying to work out what problem they are causing you. Are they threatening you?

If your livelihood depends on your blog then you need to bring yourself up to speed pronto on how to actively secure your blog. Why not moderate all posts and just delete their rubbish before it ever gets published?

z

ixus

These people are never as smart as they think. There's always someone more competent who can track them down. You're probably asking in the wrong forum, more information available in one of the tech forums.

Are they all beauty businesses? One not being abused or receiving less abuse than others to mask it? Is there a connection with the businesses like school friends?

Kerry footballer Darragh O Shea took action against a poster called KerryNorth on politics.ie a few years ago for defaming business. It can be done.

angwd

OP, you said that some of your colleagues have been targeted in a similar fashion. Just wondering if you can find a link between you all.

Their behaviour sounds systematic and persistent and more in line with a paid troll as opposed to someone with a slight personality disorder with too much time on their hands. So thing is, who would want to disrupt your business and why?

OfAllTheNames

DoYouEvenLift wrote: »

OP I hope your boards username isn't related to anything on your blog etc. in any way so they can't find this thread. If they did they'd have confirmation that they're getting to you

I thought of that New account for the purpose of this

OfAllTheNames

angwd wrote: »

OP, you said that some of your colleagues have been targeted in a similar fashion. Just wondering if you can find a link between you all.

Their behaviour sounds systematic and persistent and more in line with a paid troll as opposed to someone with a slight personality disorder with too much time on their hands. So thing is, who would want to disrupt your business and why?

Yes we all have beauty blogs. They achieve nothing from their trolling. I am unaffected materialistically by it. Psychologically that's a different story

SpaceTime

In general pre-moderation of comments is absolutely essential.

I had a stalker online who started by commenting on a YouTube clip that was embedded on a blog. I got some odd anti-Irish rant. I've no idea why as it was the most blandly non controversial clip ever ; shots of landscapes used under a tourism story.

I removed the ability to comment on the video : he emailed me! (Google username was my secondary email).

Then he found other websites I was working on and commented there and got weird. Then he found my Facebook and kept sending requests until I blocked him, then Twitter, then linked in ... He then called me at work four times!

These calls were threatening but I recorded three of them : he was dumb enough to leave harassing voicemails on a VoIP system which produces MP3s and he didn't even block his mobile number. It also logged 17 hang up calls from him.

At this stage I had enough! Traced his IP, gathered evidence and presented it to him along with the phone number for his local police station in the UK.

Never heard from him since!

OfAllTheNames

zagmund wrote: »

What *exactly* are they doing that is a problem for you? Saying that your sister has a website and looks like you . . . presumably this is correct.

I'm not defending this person at all, just trying to work out what problem they are causing you. Are they threatening you?

If your livelihood depends on your blog then you need to bring yourself up to speed pronto on how to actively secure your blog. Why not moderate all posts and just delete their rubbish before it ever gets published?

z

They haven't threatened me yet per se, they make the "usual" troll comments about my appearance but some of the others have received threats of a sexually explicit nature, one received a comment that they were sending something in the post to her and then posted her home address. House number and everything. The troll is fully capable of obtaining information.

OfAllTheNames

SpaceTime wrote: »

In general pre-moderation of comments is absolutely essential.

I had a stalker online who started by commenting on a YouTube clip that was embedded on a blog. I got some odd anti-Irish rant. I've no idea why as it was the most blandly non controversial clip ever ; shots of landscapes used under a tourism story.

I removed the ability to comment on the video : he emailed me! (Google username was my secondary email).

Then he found other websites I was working on and commented there and got weird. Then he found my Facebook and kept sending requests until I blocked him, then Twitter, then linked in ... He then called me at work four times!

At this stage I had enough! Traced his IP, gathered evidence and presented it to him along with the phone number for his local police station in the UK.

Never heard from him since!

This is inspiring. How did you get his IP? "My" troll has masked his IP using some special software.

SpaceTime

OfAllTheNames wrote: »

This is inspiring. How did you get his IP? "My" troll has masked his IP using some special software.

Mine wasn't too clever ; he left his mobile caller ID on my work phone !! It didn't take long to track him down as he'd also posted it online : I just googled it

I just sent on a list of IP look ups and record checks showing his ISP etc

The main thing is to ignore the comments and moderate your comments online - just premod everything.

Just keep blocking and ignoring : he or she is trying to get a response. Don't give them one!

pmasterson95

OfAllTheNames wrote: »

This is inspiring. How did you get his IP? "My" troll has masked his IP using some special software.

Probably just a proxy. If your the webmaster/admin of your blog you should be able to bypass and nail him or run the ip through a check. You can easily flip tables onto him. Trolls arent smart.

DEFTLEFTHAND

He'll trip over himself eventually, like serial killers trolls eventually become lax and leave a trail.

SpaceTime

OfAllTheNames wrote: »

They haven't threatened me yet per se, they make the "usual" troll comments about my appearance but some of the others have received threats of a sexually explicit nature, one received a comment that they were sending something in the post to her and then posted her home address. House number and everything. The troll is fully capable of obtaining information.

Lawyer time! Most definitely. Just log everything, build a database of evidence and don't respond.
If your sites are hosted by Irish hosts, you might be able to get more info faster. Keep complaining to Google though!

angwd

OfAllTheNames wrote: »

Yes we all have beauty blogs. They achieve nothing from their trolling. I am unaffected materialistically by it. Psychologically that's a different story

Sorry OP, I didn't really phrase my question well, I was asking if there's something else in common apart from the topic of your blogs, for example do you all live locally, use similar venues/suppliers etc.

SpaceTime

Give the package sent to you directly to the Gardai. There'll be physical evidence like finger prints!

Just put any letters etc straight into a ziplock bag and hand them in to add to the file. Keep details yourself too : photograph them.

You'll know where it was processed by An Post too which will at least narrow it down to a region.

If it has a printed stamp on it from the post office and was handed over the the counter I suspect the transaction ID could link it to time and date and CCTV

dxhound2005

OfAllTheNames wrote: »

It's a beauty blog. They first started attacking another beauty blogger and slowly they began to take on several of us. I'm not alone in all of this. There are about four or five of us being attacked in the exact same way. Last week the troll sent one of them a message saying to keep an eye in the post because he/she was sending something to her.

This is not normal and we can't continue living our lives like this.

How many is several? Beauty blogging is something which I never heard of before. I presume it is mostly a female activity and possibly the troll is likely to be female as well, just a hunch.

Have you discussed the trolling among yourselves, in person or online? Some sort of concerted effort by every blog/business which is a victim might be the right way to go. Especially if you are thinking of calling in professional help.

OfAllTheNames

angwd wrote: »

Sorry OP, I didn't really phrase my question well, I was asking if there's something else in common apart from the topic of your blogs, for example do you all live locally, use similar venues/suppliers etc.

Apart from our blogs, we have nothing in common, we all live in different counties, all in different lines of work, and if it wasn't for our blogs we wouldn't know each other.