Time wasters on our website

Dear Bushdrummers –

You all would have received a wonderful e mail from someone who belongs more in the “sex” world than in the wildlife world. Perhaps they have taken wildlife to another dimension….

Such situations occur and unfortunately in due time – Simba will have to sort some other problem from some hacker or who ever else decides to be stupid enough to play around with our website etc.

You may recall that last year – some hacker came in – started sending PM to all Bushdrummers under my personal name saying that it was very urgent and all of a sudden I got bombarded with e mails from you all and phone calls asking if I was okay? Of course I was but it was not until this happened that we realised that someone hacked into the system and took my personal details.

This was perhaps the only time Simba had to actually leave the beach – put his cigar down and do some counter hacking work… which worked!

Our website is growing and getting more popular – hence this happens and we most sincerely apologise that this happens but that is the cyber world for you!

What we can suggest is – NEVER disclose any personal details such as private bank accounts, numbers – perhaps addresses etc.

Once we know each other – I shall use as an example Jan, Kipper and Pippa who Simba and I have been e mailing each other for some time; we all know each others real names and some personal details – and when we have personal things to say to each other we use PM or direct e mails which we have given to each other. However only do this if you trust someone and have been dealing with them for some time – not just a few days.

If any of you are not sure about a person or if you receive a PM from someone – and feel that it is a little strange – do NOT hesitate to ask us or send the details to Simba or me (Cody) and we shall look into it.
NOTE : We shall never ask for private contact details etc unless we are dealing directly with a topic and we need to send you information. Therefore as in the past – if you get an e mail from Simba, Cody or anyone else and you think it is a little strange – ask us as it could be a hacker (unlikely now) or some idiot playing on our website.

Apologies for any inconveniences caused on the website – or via PM – however there are strange people out there in cyber world. No – I do not mean you Simba…..

Thank you for your understanding - Cody

I'd like to add: If you are sensitive about receiving messages, you can switch off PMs (Private Messages) in your user profile under options.

However, please keep in mind that this makes it impossible for other members to get in touch with you unless they already know your personal email address.

Unfortunately there is not much more I can do to avoid spam. I can delete a user account but usually the spam is already sent by then. If the person wishes to do the same again, he just registers with a new account. All I can do in that case is, deactivate PMs in general, or not allow users to register unless they have an invitation. I know various web communities that have taken such drastic steps. I guess, they had similar experiences.

Some people just have no idea of respecting privacy.

Simba
can't you chase these guys as they use most probably the same IP?

I would not cancel the PM option.

I guess we have to swallow an additonal spam here and there - this comes with the information highway. It's not always good but also not always bad. Just have to live with it.

Hi Pippa,

no, they are usually smart enough to use a different IP adress. Otherwise I could simply block their IP.