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Britain's First "Web-Rage" Attack

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the why-can't-people-just-get-along dept.

brown-eyed slug writes "The BBC is reporting what is claimed to be Britain's first "web-rage" attack. A man drove seventy miles to assault his victim with a pick-axe handle after they exchanged insults in a Yahoo! chat room." From the article: "Det Cons Christopher Creagh, of the Metropolitan Police, said: 'This is the first instance of a web-rage attack.' Det Sgt Jean-Marc Bazzoni, of Essex Police, added the case demonstrates the importance of protecting one's identity on the internet. 'Mr Jones had posted pictures of his family on the web and had chatted to Gibbons on an audio link,' he said. 'It demonstrates how easily other users can put two and two together and also shows how children could also find themselves in danger.'"

7 of 399 comments (clear)

  1. Sanity by otacon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This doesn't have as much to do with the internet as they'd want you to think, I mean the guy drove 70 miles with an axe, obviously he wasn't stable to begin with.

    --
    In a world of acronyms, the words are the real victims.
    1. Re:Sanity by ArcticCelt · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Det Sgt Jean-Marc Bazzoni, of Essex Police, added the case demonstrates the importance of protecting one's identity on the internet.

      "It demonstrates how easily other users can put two and two together and also shows how children could also find themselves in danger."

      No, it demonstrate the importance of acting civilized and how people should stop acting like savages just because they are not in front of the person they are communicating with.

      --

      Yahh, hiii haaaaa! -Major Kong, from Dr. Strangelove
  2. Won't somebody please think of the children?!? by proverbialcow · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "It demonstrates how easily other users can put two and two together and also shows how children could also find themselves in danger." ...which, in turn, demonstrates why children should not be allowed unfettered access to the Net. Of course, it's probably just easier to pass legislation than to watch what your kids are doing - that makes it somebody else's problem.

    --
    The only surefire protection against Microsoft infections is abstinence. - The Onion
  3. Re:Won't someone think of the children? by Brainix · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You're right. Sadly, misguided politicians use unfortunate incidents like this to hammer through legislation. This has less to do with the internet than one might think. Assault has been illegal long before the birth of the internet.

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    Raj Against the Machine! http://social-butterfly.appspot.com/
  4. And how is this different from the real world? by S.O.B. · · Score: 4, Insightful
    ...the case demonstrates the importance of protecting one's identity on the internet


    I think the case demonstrates that the internet is no different than the real world. Trade insults with a guy you just met (online or not) and he may be a violent person that will come over to your house with his buddy and kick your ass. I'm glad he wasn't killed and I hope he'll completely recover but I don't have too much sympathy.

    Too many people use the supposed anonymity of the internet as an excuse to be asshats. Always remember...the other guy could be a bigger asshat.
    --
    Some of what I say is fact, some is conjecture, the rest I'm just blowing out my ass...you guess.
  5. Re:That is why..... by NekoXP · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why is it creepy?

    You could do exactly the same thing using paper resources if you had the time and patience. There were plenty of stalkers around before the internet reared it's head. I don't think there are really any more these days, simply a greater proportion of them doing it faster.

  6. Re:more info by Migraineman · · Score: 4, Insightful
    To be honest it is the address of my parents.
    Soooo, it was a good idea to offer up even more information in response?

    Okay class, this concludes today's example of Social Engineering.