<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by SPN Lifer:
Two that come to mind are:- moderation for the moderators
- background checks for the moderators
....
Similarly, given the vast authority of the moderators to influence the reception and perceptions, welcoming or otherwise, of Flyer Talk participants, it may be advisable to do some sort of background check. Particularly if moderators have technical skills that exceed those of your own IT staff, it is particularly important to know exactly who you're dealing with. A hacker with inside access, or who is disgruntled and formerly had inside access, perhaps installing a back door, leaves your website very vulnerable indeed. This vulnerability could extend from the non-profit aspect of your enterprises to the heart of the House of Miles itself. What if the Freddies, or advertiser accounts are hacked?</font>
No need to get alarmist. There is not a terrorist or a hyper-skilled hacker behind every bush.
Background checking the moderators will do truly little and if anything discourage some from participating and going through that headache. [Note: One of the best sources for identity theft and related pilfering is background check related data submissions and the background check processes themselves.]
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">While the moderator corps consists of unpaid, self-sacrificing individuals who toil day in and day out, all it takes is one bad apple to cause major problems. An argument against background checks might be that they are not fool proof. Even the FBI had its spy. But that is really no justification for doing nothing. To the extent those who help you have access to inside information, surely most moderators would understand the need for background checks.</font>
No one is advocating doing nothing. Some of us, myself in particular, are saying that the sky is
not falling ... and merely updating the security from a technical side and a revision in access privileges and a decision-making/access rights matrix is sufficient action. Bringing in the federales and a private sector company or two is just excessive and a waste of resources. If we start adding to Randy's burden he may just decide to dump this entirely -- sooner than later.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Don't let this latest crime discourage you. I know from experience that crime victims often tend to blame themselves. We're all pulling for you!</font>
Often is not always or is it, Randy?
I truly cannot see Randy running around like a chicken without his head saying: "I'm a victim! I'm a victim. It's all my fault! It's all my fault!"