Conclusion: So You Eppies Got Trolled (Last Page)

As you've figured out, Wired reported that the Epilepsy Foundation message board was trolled with rapidly flashing animations that caused photosensitive epileptics who viewed the attacks to seizure Pokemon style.

I suspect via reliable sources that a few users at the popular message board 7chan were responsible. While acting under anonymity, they are not associated with the notorious Anonymous. 7chan users are sometimes kids, sometimes adult, and always mischevous.

Trolling attacks like these happen because mischevous and smart persons like to demonstrate vulnerabilities on the Internet by ... demonstrating them. The severity of the demonstration reflects the severity of vulnerability (and usually how easy it is to correct.) And this attack against the epilepsy forum was, indeed, easy to correct.

Comedy of Incompetence

First of all, I have nothing but contempt for the forum designers/administrators whose website was so weak as to allow this kind of attack. These are professionals who simply don't have the luxury of saying "we wanted to be permissive," or "we didn't know this could happen." As admins, you are the Homeland Security of your site. The vast majority of forums would not have allowed JavaScript injection to happen. It's your job to think about attacks and how to prevent them.

Second, I'm absolutely amazed that more epilepsy groups aren't providing better support regarding Internet safety. Yes, the information is out there, but it's provided by 3rd party groups, not official organizations. WTF, man. Just WTF.

In this light, you begin to understand why people make the argument that Internet users with disabilities or special needs have the duty to take full responsibility for their own well being, regardless of how their well being may be put in jeopardy. To assume that others can be counted on to be responsible for you is simply naive.

Is It Your Job To Stay Safe Online?

It's tempting to look at the victims with an eye of absolution and rage against the trolls who criticize the victims as "victim blaming" jerks. However, the criticizers and trolls have a damn good point, even if you disagree with how they got their message out: even if you're a diabetic just hanging out with friends next door, you bring your insulin kit with you and make sure someone knows what to do in case you go into shock because your friend forgot that she put 50,000 lbs of sugar in the cookies she made for you. This same common sense applies to using the Internet: you take precautions to protect yourself where ever you go online, even if it's a safe place you trust.

Here's what the trolls who did this are doing right now: they're laughing at everyone who was affected, and everyone who says "ohh poor victims." They have no sympathy for you because if you had taken the time to Google these answers for yourself, this attack would have been a non-event. This view of personal responsibility is something core to their personalities. Frankly, I'm chuckling at you, too. And, while I know many of you are boiling mad about this incident and wondering why they couldn't have taken a more ethical route, all I'm going to say is: welcome to the Internet. Not everyone is nice like you. You can either stay mad, or you can deal with it.

Victim Blaming? Let's Try User Empowering

Not knowing what precautions to take online isn't a very good defense. I tested the viability of this article by Googling for each piece of advice first using plain English phrases like, "how do I block flashing things on the internet?" Within an hour, I had a dozen different pages that all covered this information. The information to protect yourself is out there, and it's easy to find.

Don't let ignorance be an excuse. If you can't figure out the technicals of this articles, get one of your kids, or the nerdy kid down the street to help you. Use free technical support if you have to.

Share this information on your message boards and support groups. In fact, I'm giving all of you a royalty free license to copy this article in whole or in part and repost it where ever you want. I don't need credit and I have no conditions. Spread the love.

Thanks For Playing

I'll be updating and tracking this article for a while, so bookmark Protect Yourself on the Internet, and check back periodically. Good luck with your Internet browsing. Stay safe.

Final note for all you geeks who are groaning at my use of "web 2.0" to describe JavaScript functionality. Sorry, but this article is aimed at n00bs. The word JavaScript is big and scary for them, alright? Saying web 2.0 is much more accessible for their little brains.

[ tech, psa published on 2008-04-01 | Permalink (586) | ]