How do you spot a troll?

Ahzz · Post by **Ahzz** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:10 pm

In all of my years of being on the internet and interacting with people there has always been one kind of person that has been the most troubling. The Troll.

So what I'd like to know is this....

How do you spot a troll?
How do you prove that it is a troll?
How do you deal with a troll?

Now I have my own methods, indicators, and gut instincts after 16 years of roaming the internet (darpa-net before it became the publicly accessible Internet(tm)). I'm curious as to how others have learned to detect, prove, and deal with trolls....

Beauty · Post by **Beauty** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:21 pm

Hi Ahzz,

Great idea, but these usually get people too upset so I'm going to lock this one, but feel free to exchange troll spotting things in the chatroom or via PM.

I just don't want to take a risk on this one. PLEASE forgive me Ahzz.

Beauty

Beauty · Post by **Beauty** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:39 pm

Ok, ok the mighty Ahzz has talked me into unlocking this thread, but she also gave me some guidance.

This is not for pointing at examples. This is supposed to maintain a mature discussion about thingies.

:: wait a second ... someone wants to say a word ::

The doctor has asked me to keep an eye on this thread as he's been visiting other forums that start these innocent topics about trolls and they turn into the absolute worst fevers ever.

Ok.. make Ahzz look good everyone.

Beauty

Ahzz · Post by **Ahzz** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 2:55 pm

*bows to the almighty board admin* Thank you oh gratious leader.

Ok, ground rules people....

NO direct links to ANY posts. We aren't goign to make examples of anyone.
NO names of people that you think are trolls.
NO innuendo to identify people as trolls.

You get the idea I think. This is to be abstract philosophy on this evil side of the netizens.

First off, a troll is anyone that presents a false front to you in order to gain something. In my experience this can be anything from a phishing email, to the mozambique type scammers, to 45 year old men pretending to be 16 year old girls, to, well, just about anythign done with falsehood.

The idea is to share our gut instincts on what tips us off that something or someone is a troll.
Why they do the trolling?
How do you go about convincing "the authorities" that it is indeed a troll?
What the proper methods of dealing with a troll is when you can't find help.

I've sen and dealt with a lot over the last 10 years as an internet consultant, so I'm more interested in hearing about other's methods etc than giving another "lecture" on net security.

Elizabeth · Post by **Elizabeth** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 3:38 pm

Hi Ahzz,

This is easy. Big eyes, unmanaged hair, and an address under some bridge. I know this may seem obvious, but that is how i always spot them.

Laff, Have a great day anyway.

Love always,
Elizabeth

Loretta Ann · Post by **Loretta Ann** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 4:02 pm

I have never had to worry a lot about that here as our forum police seem to take could care of us. On forums where there are less police I usually find some way to push their buttons, which usually results in them becoming more obvious, until they are finally removed. others I just ignore.

Most of them have built up defense mechanisms that you can not penetrate, which serve to protect them from their insecurity.

As to why they are trolls, I don't spend much time thinking about that, as that is non of my concern. (in others words not my problem)

As far as the tools I have for spotting them goes I usually give them free reign, which enables them to expose themselves. ( in other words I play dumb.)

I would be interested in seeing what others think about this especially your thoughts Ahzz.

Amelie-Laveau · Post by **Amelie-Laveau** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 4:17 pm

I am sorry to sound confused, i really don't understand what a troll is? I can understand con men who try to get your money, they were out there before computers. But from what I'm reading here, there are other types of "trolls'(?) If not money what else is troll after. I have never heard this before, I've only had a computer for 4 months and I don't fully understand everything that goes on. If what i ask is wrong, then tell me that, you don't have to answer. It seems to be an upseting subject if Beauty was going to lock it down. So if it is to sesitive to answer, I will find out elsewhere.

Sometimes I feel like I'm from another planet or something

Love Amelie

Lorna · Post by **Lorna** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 4:24 pm

Most trolls can be identified almost immediately. They come into a forum, post one inflammatory message just for the purpose of getting folks riled up. The best thing to do is to simply ignore them.

Here's a funny link with information on the many different types of trolls on the web:

http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame1.html

Amelie-Laveau · Post by **Amelie-Laveau** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 4:35 pm

OK I know them, I just didn't know they were called trolls

Thanks

Love Amelie

Merinda · Post by **Merinda** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:13 pm

Ahzz wrote:
First off, a troll is anyone that presents a false front to you in order to gain something. 45 year old men pretending to be 16 year old girls, to, well, just about anythign done with falsehood.

Perhaps our resident treehugging hippy hero could explain as what he thinks I am trying to gain falsly by presenting this image???

Beauty< dont lockdown , I give this person the PLEASE EXPLAIN

Ahzz · Post by **Ahzz** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:14 pm

Professionally I classify anyone that presents a false face with the pretense of getting a reaction or taking advantage of someone as a troll.

In my history they have come in all shapes and forms. Some jump in with the inflamatory message. Some slide in carefully just to cause dissention and tear a group apart. Some will lurk in the shadows and send private messages either sniping directly, or stiring up resentment amonst others.

So basicly, anyone that posts, emails, msgs, etc with the intent of causing disharmony, strife, or antisocial behavior is a troll.

Now as to how you deal with them... ignoring them is usually effective. In many cases it isn't effective because it's simply too hard for dozens, o hundreds of people to ignore in unison. Someone always has to pipe up with a response. 8-P So what to do at that point? Well, documentation has helped in some cases.

As with anything, There Is More Than One Way To Do It.

I'll post more later. for now I must sikdaddle to the shower and a client's apartment.

Jassmine(SO) · Post by **Jassmine(SO)** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:42 pm

Hi Merinda,

I am certain that Ahzz is refering to the pedophiles that unfortunately use the internet to find their victims. One of their ruses is to pretend to be a teenage girl in hopes of luring a potential victim into their grasp

This is why I think it is important to have a disscussion on this topic. Parents really need to be armed with information to help them spot a potential threat to their children.

I am also certain that all y'all have read about the child porn "rings" that plague the internet, as well. Older men have also used the ruse of being a teenage boy to lure their victims in

I am sorry you were offended by Ahzz's post

That was most certainly not his intent.

*Hugs & Love*

Ahzz · Post by **Ahzz** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 5:47 pm

Merinda Widget wrote:
Ahzz wrote:
First off, a troll is anyone that presents a false front to you in order to gain something. 45 year old men pretending to be 16 year old girls, to, well, just about anythign done with falsehood.

Perhaps our resident treehugging hippy hero could explain as what he thinks I am trying to gain falsly by presenting this image???

Beauty< dont lockdown , I give this person the PLEASE EXPLAIN

No sweetie, I wasn't refering to you.

Yeah, I am a tree hugging hippie hero at times.

The reference was the to trolls that do this in virtual reality, not in real life. The ones that pretend to be a 16 year old so they can get other under age kids to meet with them and then exploit them.

Part of the Police's hard work is in identifying the trolls by their inconsistancies, grammar, and familiarity(or lack there of) with popular culture.

Anyways, NOONE is being labeled here. so please, i'm sorry if you misread and were inadvertantly offended.

Ahzz · Post by **Ahzz** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:07 pm

Lorna wrote:Most trolls can be identified almost immediately. They come into a forum, post one inflammatory message just for the purpose of getting folks riled up. The best thing to do is to simply ignore them.

Here's a funny link with information on the many different types of trolls on the web:
http://www.winternet.com/~mikelr/flame1.html

hehe, a good site for the many varieties of trolls. Though I think much of it is semi toung-in-cheek.

It should be a good starting point for anyone that wants to be able to identify Trolls.

Alexandra · Post by **Alexandra** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:45 pm

*devil's advocate mode on*

on the other hand, deducing if a certain username is a troll often is based on assumptions that one can't really prove. what a terrible thing it would be to be wrong about this.

also, if a forum is particularly heavy in the troll identification dept, that forum runs the risk of becoming a "cult" (I know, extreme word here but I'm making a point). Members would be afraid to break conformity and post an opposing view. Who wants to worry about what they post afraid that someone may call them a troll.

I think Lorna has the right idea. If we don't know for sure, ignoring them may be the best move.