If
you're considering posting an abusive or malicious message
on our forum, here's how we can quickly identify you:
Every
time a message is posted on any of our forums, your IP address
is recorded and time stamped. Your IP address is a unique
number that is assigned to your computer when you are connected
to the Internet. Your computer's IP number is as unique
as a human fingerprint. When connected to the Internet,
only you have your IP number - nobody else in the world
will be using the same IP number while you are connected.
We
can identify within minutes of a message being posted the
owner of the IP number your computer is assigned. If you
are connected via a company server, it is a very simple
case of contacting your company and informing them of your
abusive message. Your company will know exactly from which
computer the message was posted. If you are conected via
an ISP (Internet service provider), your ISP is able to
identify you from their log files using the IP number and
date/time information we provide.
What
happens to you as a result of being traced will of course
depend upon the content of your message. Some companies
treat all abusive messages as gross misconduct for which
instant dismissal is the consequence. Other companies may
just issue you with a written warning. ISPs will delete
your account and you may be blacklisted. Although this may
not seem serious punishment, it will mean that anyone who
has your e-mail address will not be able to contact you.
Losing your e-mail account will therefore be very inconvienient
to you. If your e-mail account is owned by your company,
they will not take too kindly to it being deleted, especially
if their business stationery has their e-mail address printed
on it.
In
serious cases of abuse, we will also report you to the police.
In the UK, the fraud sqaud of each police force is responsible
for bringing criminal charges.
We
therefore ask you to seriously consider the consequences
of posting an abusive message on our forums. Is it really
worth risking your job and possibly getting a criminal record?
We
have virtually a 100 per cent record of identifying abusive
message posters. Every abusive or malicious message is investigated
and reported.
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