Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

There is a bit of a security through obscurity effect when a breach affects 5-10% of the population.


unless someone is specifically looking for you.

imagine being a young woman with a stalker


Men too, even for absolutely no reason at all.

In my case my partner (Abby) made a new friend (Brandy). Brandy called me a few times while we were coordinating social activities. Brandy’s soon-to-be ex-husband (Malicious Michael) saw the late-night phone calls on the phone bill records, looked up my phone number, saw that I was a man, assumed she started dating me, and became completely obsessed with me.

Now I get about 30 texts and 12 emails from Mike every day, all of them very deranged and alarming. I have never met, interacted, talked with, responded to, or crossed paths with Mike.

But suddenly I have to worry about how even these relatively benign leaks might impact his ability to find me or attempt to fuck up my life.


Reply to the texts with "dick pics"...but of horse or cow penis. Chances are pretty good he will block you or just stop soon after the first. For email...auto reply with links to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goatse.cx or go for the the rabbit hole and toss out a random OnlyFans /Ashley Madison / Grinder page.


Responding at all seems like an incredibly bad idea.


I had a vaguely similar (but way less threatening) situation years ago. Fortunately Brandy alerted me to Mike’s awareness and anger, and gave me his number.

I blocked it immediately. So he might have texted me a bunch of angry stuff. I’ve no idea. I never saw it.

Block him. He’ll get bored. I wish you the best, it’s not nice.


I don’t block so that I have an evidence file in case I need it. However, I do not ever respond, so it’s effectively the same experience as being blocked.


> Block him. He’ll get bored.

I wish that women were this fortunate.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: