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Looking for advice—I’d like to track down somone who threatened me online

By: smagar (Diary)  |  June 19th, 2011 at 10:26 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Looking for advice on tracking down someone who threatened me online. 

I write a conservative blog on my town’s online newspaper.  A commenter wrote that I should be shot. 

I have the IP address—is there any way I can track down who sent the message?  At the very least, if I can put some heat on the Internet provider, I can make the dude’s life uncomfortable., and perhaps dissuade him (?) from doing it again.  Any ideas?

Rest assured, I know this happens a lot online…but I don’t like the idea of just sitting here and taking it.  I’d like to punch back, as much as possible.

Apologies to moderators—I tried using the “Contact” link, but I got a “Not Found” error prompt.

COMMENTS

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  • smagar

    I live in a purple district. Therefore, we need to recruit independent and disaffected voters, if we’re going to get enough votes at election time to elect Rs.

    I’m trying to get more conservatives blogging on local online newspapers. These newspapers/websites attract lots of independent and non-political types who read the blogs on sports, gardening, etc…

    Plenty of people blog on our local conservative sites…but I’m presuming that the people who read those blogs vote conservative anyway. We need more voters…so we have to go to where the new voters are.

    My concern: leftys can scare away new conservative bloggers and commenters by threatening them. I’m trying to put a stop to that, in hopes of encouraging more conservatives to speak up online.

    Our arguments can’t carry the day if we don’t have enough people to make the arguments in the first place.

    Thanks…

  • Mike Ferguson

    Since you have the IP address, then take that to the prosecutor with a screen shot of the comment. I am assuming that the Paper that you write the blog for is being completely supportive, I would be sure to let the paper know you are doing this before you move forward, their legal folks would probably be a great help. Also, MAKE SURE that the comment isn’t taken down or deleted.

    I am not a Lawyer, but that is how I would proceed.

    • smagar

      The comment has been deleted, but I have a screen shot of it.

  • smagar

    I plan to blog about it on our website, to show that we’re not going to take this. I WILL tell the Internet service provider, if I can find them, that I plan to blog about it.

    The commenter used a bogus e-mail address, so I don’t think I have much chance of pinpointing him (?). I do hope, however, that the Internet service provider can be persuaded to put some heat on the IP address holder.

  • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

    (Just for perspective :-) )

    1. Internet provider.
    2. Cops.
    3. Be careful about IDing him in your blog. I’d recommend some legal advice because you might be opening yourself up to a lawsuit depending on “how” you write it.

  • Ned Reck

    Any related domain-sales provider… such as Network Solutions or Register.com… and then access the “Whois Search” tab or link. (At networksolutions.com… the “WHOIS Search” is located at the bottom of the page.)

    You can look-up any IP address or domain name… and find out who owns it… unless the IP has a “private registration”. However… even under “private registration”… you should still be able to determine the “contact information” for the IP.

    Ned Reck

  • Tbone

    probably find that it is a number is a block of numbers assigned to a service provider like a cable company. The cops could track him down by reviewing IP logs at the service provider. You could also sue and subpoena the service provider for the logs.

    The question is what would you do if you found out who it was?

    • smagar

      1. The block of numbers a service provider owns—are we talking hundreds? Thousands?

      2. Could the service provider track the “fellow” down by reviewing those logs? Would they let me, or a representative of the paper that hosts my blog, review them? Seems to me that, if they are willing to send me a section of the IP logs for the time that we know the comment was posted, we could narrow it down to a few “suspects.”

      • http://908StraightSt.wordpress.com/ mbecker908

        They can tell you precisely who it was with the info you have. The problem you may run in to is the requirement for a subpoena.

        • smagar

          I’d be happy if the ISP called the “perp” and made his (?) life uncomfortable. But, who knows—let’s see where this leads.

          If I’m understanding this correctly, with the IP address, we can at least identify the Internet service provider.

          Then, I should be able to contact them, provide them the screencap and the saved comment, and ask them to take action against the commenter.

          Should I expect the ISP company to blow me off? I’m hoping that an ISP wouldn’t want their networks to be used to post threats, and would therefore be inclined to put pressure themselves on the “perp.” But, am I indulging in wishful thinking here? Can I expect the ISP to do anything?

          • Tbone

            to take a hike. ISPs are not cops, judges or juries.

            Saying some one ought be shot is different than saying “I’m going to shoot you”.

          • wilgolden

            the ISP would likely (and, correctly) refuse to provide information, as a direct violation of the perp’s privacy.

            You have four options, IMHO:

            1) Call the local PD, file a complaint of a direct threat to your life. Trust me, they will take this seriously. In most jurisdictions, this is a serious felony.

            2) Report this to the ISP yourself, and request that they take action. The best you can hope for is that they cut off internet access for the perp. In other words, this is not a permanent solution.

            3) Request that the paper file charges. They have deeper pockets to pursue civil charges than you do, and you can ride along relatively cheaply. Again, this will only cost the perp money, and will not address a long term solution.

            4) Let it go. Ignore the monkey throwing poo, as on-line bullies, like the up front and personal type from 3rd grade, thrive on the attention at some level.

            Above all, DO NOT attempt to find the poo throwing monkey on your own. In the best case, this makes you the violator of his rights, and opens you up for a world of problems.

            I know this is not your preferred solutions, but probably define your best bets.

            Wil

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