Disrupting a stable newsgroup gives the illusion of power, just as for a few, stalking a strong person allows them to think they are strong, too.
For trolls, any response is 'recognition'; they are unable to distinguish between irritation and admiration; their ego grows directly in proportion to the response, regardless of the form or content of that response.
Remember that trolls are cowards; they'll usually post just enough to get an argument going, then sit back and count the responses
How can troll posts be recognized?
•Pedantic in the Extreme - Many trolls' preparation is so thorough, that while they waste time, they appear so ludicrous from the start that they elicit sympathetic mail - the danger is that once the group takes sides, the damage is done.
•False Identity - Because they are cowards, trolls virtually never write over their own name, and often reveal their trolliness (and lack of imagination) in the chosen ID. As so many folk these days use false ID, this is not a strong indicator on its own!
•Crossposting - Any post that is crossposted to several groups should be viewed as suspicious, particularly if unrelated or of opposing perspective. Why would someone do that?
•Off-topic posting - Often genuine errors, but, if from an 'outsider' they deserve matter-of-fact response; if genuine, a brief apposite response is simply netiquette; if it's a troll post, you have denied it its reward.
•Missing The Point - Trolls rarely answer a direct question - they cannot, if asked to justify their twaddle - so they develop a fine line in missing the point.
•Thick or Sad - Trolls are usually sad, lonely folk, with few social skills; they rarely make what most people would consider intelligent conversation. However, they frequently have an obsession with people they are trolling and feel the need to tell everyone.
What is an Internet stalker?
At its mildest, a stalker is simply a troll that has
attached itself to an individual. At worst, boring, at
best, flattering. Find out about trolls. But a stalker
can be a serious predator, using the Internet to pursue
a real or imagined vendetta, or other perverted agenda.
Risk assessment is an essential first step.
How dangerous is it?
Start by thinking about who it is; is it someone you
have simply upset on the Internet, someone with whom
you've had a relationship? Is it someone you knew
before, or have met in the real world?
Think about where you see it - newsgroups?
What does it say? Is it a matter of direct insults? Is
it lies and rumors? Does it reveal information not
generally known that you want kept secret?
When - and how often - does it appear?
How is it threatening? Is it simply annoying, or do you
fear direct contact, betrayal or what? Think about the
worst it can do ... how bad is that?
Why are you being stalked - is it simply spite and
boredom, is it envy or resentment? Have you done
anytghing thast you think may have set it off?
Once you can answer these questions, you will have a
clearer idea of what you are dealing with, and how
quickly you may need to act.
