# Gee thanks for putting CHILD PORN on my hard drive! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 12, 2001, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839 "2001-11-12T02:02:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![The\_Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@The\_Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tim)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/21 "2001-11-13T05:40:06Z")
I have a thought. Maybe it isn’t traditional spam but a horrible cruel joke. Think about it, drop kiddie porn on a bunch of people’s computers. Big laughs for a thirteen year old moron. Opal said she might have missed it and woulve have had it sit on her hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2001, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/22 "2001-11-13T23:18:09Z")
After the FOURTH hit by these unsuccessful abortions in 3 days, I am about to issue a fatwa declaring Holy Jihad upon them. Apparently they set it up on automatic on Saturday and it just keeps at it. However this DOES allow me to quote the source/subject line as was requested earlier. DO NOT OPEN ANY E-MAIL FROM **“SARAZ@FREEMAIL.NL”** WITH THE SUBJECT **"NEW ILLEGAL SITE FROM DANIEL"** If the Mods allow it, here be the Internet Headers: > [@](#): > > Received: from Sender ([ttsfw.tts.bwauto.com](http://ttsfw.tts.bwauto.com) [208.50.253.2]) by dns1.sunsk.co.jp with SMTP (Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service Version 5.5.1960.3) > id WT5R3WB3; Sun, 11 Nov 2001 16:11:50 +0900 > **From: Saraz@Freemail.NL\** [sub]Surely a fake address[/sub] > To: “”\<\> [sub]it appears that very way, must be a list[/sub] > **Subject: New illegal site from Daniel** > Reply-To: Saraz@Freemail.NL > X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.5 > Mime-Version: 1.0 > Content-Type: multipart/related; > boundary="= Multipart Boundary 1110012320" > Date: Sat, 10 Nov 2001 23:20:46 -0800 > Message-Id: \<[20011113190302.WNHP8351.mtiwgwc24.worldnet.att.net](http://20011113190302.WNHP8351.mtiwgwc24.worldnet.att.net)@dns1.sunsk.co.jp\> Even if the Reply-To were valid, I dare not attempt it as that may be an address-harvesting ploy itself. So someone sends it from an HTTP Proxy, alleging the source to be “[bwauto.com](http://bwauto.com)” (Borg-Warner Automotive) to a company’s server in Japan (Sun’s K) which in turns sends it to ATT, all under a username allegedly from the Netherlands… Jaysus K. Rhyst, what a lot of effort… if it is some sort of pathetic attempt at an e-mail vandalic act, I can only pity them … ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/23 "2001-11-14T01:30:31Z")
**DON"T DO THIS!** > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > \*\*I am considering putting the email and image on a floppy and mailing it to the FBI along with a printout just so I can get the vile thing off my computer. \*\* “Helpful” citizens have been arrested for trying to help Law Enforcement IRT child porn (It’s been the subject of discussion on this board). Mailing it via floppy will open you up to additional Federal Postal charges. Harvest and print the header, and any non-graphic info, then delete the message, clean your cache & history, empty your recycle bin (if any), and run a defrag. _Then_ send your info to the Feds. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/24 "2001-11-14T02:30:46Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by Tranquilis \* \*\ ***DON"T DO THIS!** > [@](#): > > \*\*“Helpful” citizens have been arrested for trying to help Law Enforcement IRT child porn (It’s been the subject of discussion on this board). Mailing it via floppy will open you up to additional Federal Postal charges. Harvest and print the header, and any non-graphic info, then delete the message, clean your cache & history, empty your recycle bin (if any), and run a defrag. _Then_ send your info to the Feds. \*\* This is so incredibly unbelievable! If you’ve reported it to the FBI, then it’s fairly obvious that you’re not a willing participant, but rather a disgusted onlooker who has been dragged into the situation. What other crimes would you be arrested for trying to report? I’m not doubting your word, but I am shocked that such a thing could happen. Let me play out a scenario to you. You don’t like someone and want to ruin them. So you purchase some readily available spamming software, and use it to send anonymous email to your victim, including child porn (also available on the net if you’re prepared to look for it). Then you make an anonymous call to the Feds, and sit back and wait for the fun to begin. How mad would you be if you go arrested for being spammed images that go against every moral you have?? ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/25 "2001-11-14T04:05:23Z")
Give me a bit, I’ll have to search it up, but it’s been discussed on this board, and IIRC, this forum. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/26 "2001-11-14T04:20:19Z")
If you mail it, you are distributing. You can go to jail. If you delete it, you are destroying evidence. You can go to jail. Wait for the FBI to tell you what to do. If they tell you to delete it, go ahead. In my job we occasionally come across this stuff and we have been breifed on how to deal with just this sort of thing. Having a network 14,000 people, you do run into the occasional scumbag who has this on thier computer. The above advice came from the feds by way of our security who work with the feds all the time. Just by deleteing it you are comitting a crime. Emailing it to them is also a crime. You reported it, they know you have it, the first thing they are gonna do is ask you where it is, and they will be pissed it it is not still there. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/27 "2001-11-14T04:30:06Z")
Here’s your answer, although I can’t find the thread in question, I’ve got [this](http://www.dreamwater.net/ecpatusa/childpornfaq.html) bookmarked: > [@](#): > > \*\*Q: What should I do if I accidentally download child pornography or receive unsolicited child pornography via email? \*\* > > A: _The law requires you to destroy any child pornography in your possession_ or to contact law enforcement officials. If you do not, you can be prosecuted for possessing or receiving child pornography. > > **Q: I monitor the web for child pornography. Can I be arrested for this?** > > A: Regardless of your motivations, the police and the FBI can arrest you if you download child pornography from the internet and store it on a disk or a computer. Also, _you are breaking the law if you receive or send child pornography_. [sub]Note: this especially includes via the US Post.[/sub] Juries have convicted several defendants who claimed to be acting as reporters and researchers when they downloaded and distributed child pornography. Also, if you pose as a pedophile in an internet chatroom, your conversations could be used as evidence against you if you are found in possession of child pornography. Moreover, pretending to be a pedophile in an internet chatroom could disrupt a legitimate police “sting” operation. If you wish to monitor the internet and chatrooms for child pornography, be careful to keep an entirely passive role and report what you see to the police, FBI or ISP. I guess that says it all. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/28 "2001-11-14T04:33:42Z")
Ah, I see **bdgr** has arrived. Actually, the thread i’m searching for involves a gent who notified the FBI. amd _didn’t_ delete the file. His computer was seized, and he was prosecuted, and convicted. Unfortunately, I must be searching under the wrong keywords, as I can’t find the %\*#$ thread. ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/29 "2001-11-14T04:37:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tranquilis \* > > A: _The law requires you to destroy any child pornography in your possession_ or to contact law enforcement officials. If you do not, you can be prosecuted for possessing or receiving child pornography. > \*\* The first part of this is incorrect. Report it, but do not destroy it. Its like if you discovered a large amount drugs someone had hidden on your property. You wouldnt destroy it, and then call the cops. You would call the cops and let them dispose of it and investigate. You didnt place it on your hard drive, someone else did. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/30 "2001-11-14T04:40:33Z")
Ok what about this: I temporarily restore the image from it’s current zipped state so that it shows up in the email. Print the email complete with image (the image, btw, is very small… less than 150 x 150 if I remember correctly) and snail mail it anonymously to the FBI. I could even mail it from another city (I’m about to make a trip anyway) then delete all trace from my computer. Would that work? ---
**Author:** ![bdgr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@bdgr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bdgr)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/31 "2001-11-14T04:45:20Z")
That would work, if you have not already notified them. While still technically illegal, its not likely to be a problem. Were it me, I would leave it just as I found it, and call the local office of the FBI and ask them how to proceed. They may even have a hotline for this. Call them from a payphone if you are worried, and just ask them what a concerned citizen should do. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/32 "2001-11-14T05:06:05Z")
**Found it!** Pit thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=69775). Look for **Jalapeno\_On\_A\_Stick** ’s post, about 4/5 of the way down the page. Supporting article [here](http://www.arktimes.com/000901coverstory.html). > [@](#): > > You open your e-mail one day and find pornographic images of children. What should you do? > > Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Johnson does not hesitate to answer: > > “You should contact the FBI and arrange for them to come and take possession of the material immediately.” > > But Johnson, an assistant to U.S. Attorney Paula Casey in Little Rock, is not so quick to answer why, after a Little Rock physician called the FBI - not once but three times - to report having received such illegal images, federal agents failed to “come and take possession of the material” at all, and months later, Casey’s office prosecuted the physician for the felony of possessing it. Dump it. It _maybe_ illegal, but I strongly doubt you’ll get jailed for doing what any, decent, revulsed human would do, and they _certainly_ won’t be busting you for possesion. ---
**Author:** ![Second\_Echo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Second\_Echo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Second_Echo)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/33 "2001-11-14T07:07:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Badtz Maru \* > \*\*Don’t just delete it, run a defrag afterwards, just to be safe. When you delete a file on your hard drive it’s not actually erased, it’s just removed from the directories and the space it’s on is marked so it can be copied over. If the authorities did inspect your HD for whatever reason they could still find it. There is no reason to suspect such a search is impending but with something as serious as that you do NOT want to take chances and there are scenarios that could lead to it being found, i.e. someone who doesn’t like you reading your post and reporting you. If you run a defrag all the files on your computer will be rearranged and there is a very high chance that the kiddie porn would be copied over. \*\* True, but I know I’ve read somewhere (and yes, I’m sorry _somewhere_ is so vague, but I don’t know where I sat it, only that I’ve read it) that even if you do defrag or save over the data in question, that the FBI has ways to recover data that has been erased or saved over like 3 or 4 times. I don’t know any more past that, but I don’t doubt that they could do that…somehow. Sorry, I’m not a computer expert. Anyone else heard of this? ---
**Author:** ![Reuben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/54ee81/32.png) [@Reuben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reuben)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/34 "2001-11-14T12:38:15Z")
The originating IP was 208.50.253.2. This machine is connected to the 'net through an ISP called “Global Crossing” who are at [http://www.gblx.net](http://www.gblx.net). I’d suggest complaining to [abuse@gblx.net](mailto:abuse@gblx.net). Be sure to stick “Child Porn” or something like that in the subject, I bet they prioritise on keywords like that. If it were me, I’d also cc the CEO (one Gary Winnick : try the obvious combos of [winnick@gblx.net](mailto:winnick@gblx.net), [gwinnick@gblx.net](mailto:gwinnick@gblx.net), [garyw@gblx.net](mailto:garyw@gblx.net)) and make as much stink as possible. At the very least [gblx.net](http://gblx.net) will get [bwauto.com](http://bwauto.com) (the owner of the originating SMTP server) to secure their server. And perhaps they’ll take it seriously enough to perform a proper investigation before passing evidence on the appropriate authority. ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2001, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839/35 "2001-11-15T04:01:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JRDelirious \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by OpalCat \* > > > > They got you too??? Was it the same one, I wonder? Did the body of the email say “Wonderful illegal site” ? > > Thet’s the one… with the “cool” site-name… and that tasteful display of a crime being committed. > > _ **AND THE FUCKING FUCKS HIT MY OTHER ATT ACCOUNT TODAY!!! EEEAAAAAGHHH!!!** _ > > Hey, MORONS, I try to be a LAW-ABIDING pervert!!! I have got into enough mischief on my very own so if I wanted to commit a Federal Offense I can figure out how. I don’t need your help… > > Sorry, **black455** and **Chef Troy** , I already had hard-deleted the materials before hitting the boards, so can’t help with the names/subject lines/whatever. \*\* I just got one of these today. It is gross te way they try to force this crap to peoplw who don’t want it. I just deleated it before I opened it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gee-thanks-for-putting-child-porn-on-my-hard-drive/92839.md?page=1)