OK next IT/System type question...

Posted by: Tarquin Maynard - Portly on 27 June 2004

As well as droning on here, I also post on some, er, more "robust" websites.

I am in the middle of a "debate" with one of the mods over there ( this is not on a Hi Fi forum ). The Mod posted a link, headed "Do NOT click on this link." Natuarally I clicked on it and my machine was flooded with crap and I think some other users lost a days work.

I suspect that posting a link knowing it can cause damage or loss of work, is a breach of the Telecommunications Act. the fact that it says "do not click on this link" is, to me, not an issue as it is clearly designed to entice.

Am I right? Can anyone point me to the appropriate parts of the Act if I am?

Thanks muchachos

Regards

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Posted on: 27 June 2004 by Former member

quote:
Natuarally I clicked on it

Have you learnt your lesson now?

Do not click on this link

Posted on: 28 June 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

Any ideas?

Thanks

Mike

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Posted on: 28 June 2004 by matthewr

My advice would be to stop posting on sites where mods post malicious links.

Matthew

Posted on: 28 June 2004 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

Good point, Matthew.

Spending money I don't have on things I don't need.

Posted on: 28 June 2004 by Former member

This reminds me of the Father Ted episode where Dougall is in the cockpit and sees the button marked "DO NOT PRESS" and just can't resist it.....!

"did you empty the fuel tanks, Dougall?"
"oh, of course not Ted!"
"did you?"
"I did, yes."

I think you're right about it being illegal to maliciously damage your PC, but complications would include proving who did it, where they did it (the UK, the US etc), why they did it and you would also have to stand up in court and tell them all what you did! Oh dear!

In future, make sure your OS and applications are up to date and your browser settings are at least to the default security level, or maybe higher.

Then you should be OK to click on any link, just don't run any programs or activeX, etc that you don't trust.

A firewall is a good idea, and AV SW too.

Hope you didn't get too burned.

Lewis