Recently, I know it may have seemed like I was sitting back doing nothing. But please know that I have been a wreck since this whole situation started and that I have been doing everything possible behind the scenes to track and catch this guy. So with that said, you should know that I've found the person responsible for all of this. He is very clever, but unfortunately for him, he made a VERY careless and critical mistake yesterday, and after 13 straight hours of computer forensic work last night, I've finally put the puzzle together. I literally had goosebumps all over me when everything came together. I'm almost done compiling all the necessary documentation to let the authorities take it from here. And by "necessary documentation" I mean critical things like records of his real IP address, his work history, his home address, his cell phone number and a ton of other personal information. Hell, I could post his picture up here right now if I wanted. I've also saved the source code of an infected page to a PDF file which shows the latest method he was using to redirect users to those horrific images. Honestly, there's a part of me that wants to just hop on a plane and beat his ass, but I know that's probably not the best solution. This guy needs to be prosecuted and thrown in jail for a long time. To think that there are young children out there being molested is just awful. But seeing that activity in images is another level. And even beyond that is coming to grips with the fact that there are people like this sicko who are willfully engaged in the distribution of that garbage to people like yourselves on a daily basis. I am obsessed with this web site and I always have been. For over a decade it has been a constant, everyday battle just to keep the trolls, spammers, and now sick perverts away from this place. For each legitimate thread you see on ET, there are about 14 other threads submitted which are total garbage of various types that we've filtered out behind the scenes, and these are threads that you never even see or know about. So I'm under no illusion that this battle will end anytime soon. Just like being the sheriff of a real county, I can tell you that this place will never be completely perfect or crime-free. But I am more than willing to do whatever it takes to keep this place as clean as possible. Obviously, I'm sorry that this happened to begin with, and I appreciate your patience so much. I've been running ET for 15 years now and this has been the most challenging situation I've ever had to deal with, by far. I will keep you updated on anything else that's significant that happens from this point forward. And if I ever get clearance from law enforcement to post all of this guy's personal info, I will do it without hesitation.
Nobody deserved to be subjected to this, especially you Baron, as a business man bringing something good together for everyone to enjoy. Great things have come from this site, including personally meeting nice people and continued camaraderie amongst members of the site. Good for you Baron. You deserve to continue the work achieved with ET and the trust of all the members. Excellent for us the members, to have a place to come to and share. Happy Holidays to you and all the good people here.
Fantastic news and response. Can you tell us, without revealing the nick, whether the IP matches an ET regular?
Congrats, Baron. I think I speak for most when I say thanks for the intense work you have put in concerning the recent incidents here on ET! Keep up the good work!
+ 1, I apreciate the rather light handed moderation on this board but this bloke was way out of hand - wouldn't be sad to read he paid back for it. Good luck for the board and hopefully we're done with this nasty hacking.
What? After what this guy did...why in the hell would someone want to protect any thing about him. Simply, if I was Baron I would tell the entire forum his member ID name, IP address, ISP and any other personal info involving his time here at ET except for his real name, home address and phone number. Yet, as soon as he's arrested...I would then reveal here at the forum any public information here in the feedback section involving his arrest, trial and conviction. Thus, if the newspapers used his name...I would reveal that info along with posting direct links the online articles about the arrest, trila and conviction. I would only remove the information from ET if court-ordered to do so. That's the only way to send a clear message to other idiots like this person that when you do something like this...you're no longer anonymous. Thus, keeping it behind the scenes serves no purpose what so ever in my opinion. His privacy is no longer a right
Good job Chief, you're a class act and handled this whole thing like a real leader. Just a thought, if this monster is as clever as he seems to be, is it possible that he has made it look like someone else has done this? Watson Rennick out
Nice work Baron, and thx for the effort to get to the bottom of this, most of us understand there isnt much you can do about this. I can understand how you feel about this right now. If you were to run a brick and mortar business (a coffee shop, clothes shop, restaraunt, etc.) What this guy is doing would be the equivalent to coming in and throwing a brick through your window every single day, so i can imagine it must be incredibly frustrating. If people were to picture a guy constantly trashing a brick and mortar business i think they would be far more empathetic. Because this is the internet, i dont think that some people who are upset with you seem to understand that this lunatic is not just attacking some website, but he is attacking your business/livelihood, I cant even imagine how shitty it must be to be somewhat at the mercy of some deranged lunatic, who just doesnt like you, and thinks he can keep screwing with your livelihood anonymously. Anyways thx again for all the effort you are putting in to get to the bottom of this.
I agree 100%. I would pay for the info. I don't want to presume that Baron would provide the info prior to prosecution. It's certainly not violating the subhuman's rights to reveal his nick, at the very least. Unfortunately, this thread has potentially given the POS time and opportunity to clean his computers and hovel of the evidence.