What to do with a Hacking Threat?

[dataguy]

About two years ago I had a problem with a hacker that put me out of business for a full two-weeks until I could get additional hardware (better firewall, etc.) installed. Once the hacking was stopped, my business had been wrecked so badly that I sold several of my web sites to stay afloat until I could re-regroup and become profitable again. It was cerainly an eye-opening, life-changing experience for me.

Since then, I've seen hacking attempts become much more common, but so far my servers have not been breached.

This morning I received a comment left on one of my sites that promised that this one particular web site was going to be hacked. It was once of those upper/lower case, mis-spelled messages ("DoOd, I M gOnnA HaK YR sItE").

The message was most likely a prank, as the IP address could pretty simply be traced back to the users email address which was used on another one of my sites.

The question is, do I attempt to contact this person to let them know that I know who they are? It is possible that they are living at home with their parents... do I attempt to contact this persons parents?

Typically I adhere to the "don't make eye contact" policy, but would I be doing some good to let this person know that what he did was not just a prank but he could actually be charged with a federal crime?

[Farix]

I believe hacking is a federal crime based on the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 and the Patriot Act. Now would be a good idea to see if you have everything ready to enact your disaster recovery plan. I would also suggest contacting your local FBI Computer Crime Squad office and see what they suggest to ensure that you catch these guys in the act and can prosecute them.

[Matt Probert]

This morning I received a comment left on one of my sites that promised that this one particular web site was going to be hacked. It was once of those upper/lower case, mis-spelled messages ("DoOd, I M gOnnA HaK YR sItE").

Heck who have you upset? We have upset Republicans, the neo-Cons, Cossacks and various other factions, been investigated (over the years) by Scotland Yard and MI5 and still we don't get trouble like that!

Note to self. Must try harder to upset the children <g>.

Matt

PS
Only kidding kids!

[Essex_boy]

Go to the police

[Lex_Luther]

Track them down.
If they live within a days travel time, show up on thier doorstep for a chat, perhaps even invite them for a ride in your car. It'll be man-o-man-o time. Put the fear of GOD in them! I have found this very effective.

[Dave_A]

I would turn up on there front door and ask them if they have a choice to which side gets nailed to the floor first.