Examination of the term doxxing

[Itdoesthatsometimes]

Doxxing is a term I have only recently become aware of. I think it is a shitty thing to do, that can also endanger persons that have been doxxed.

As many people can guess as to the reasons I have become familiar with the word, this is not a thread on that subject.

This thread is meant to examine the word itself.

I was reading an article in wikipedia, and ran into this word. Granted the article had a few sources cited. I could not help but laugh. It reminded me of kindergartners. True that wikipedia is not the pillar of factual information. However, it is a go to source of information. It is appreciated to have sources. Older subjects have starkly less sources cited, naturally. More sources for more recent matters only makes sense.

I think what made me laugh was the use of the word doxxing, rather than the multiple sources cited. Like I said, I do not think the meaning of doxxing is funny. Just the juxtaposition of watching, multiple sources to support some silly cutesy name for it's meaning.

I imagine a future where this becomes embarrassing, or even worse one where it is not found to be embarrassing.

In case it is not obvious I was made before 1984 and still paranoid of it. And yes, I was tempted to use the click-bait title: Why doxxing make me smile.

Add to the discussion, point out other words, but be mind full that this is a thread on terms not necessarily ideas.

 

[blackmanon4chan]

what i hate is that people are using the word doxxing as a scare tactic. when it basicly means someone found your info online and put it in a more public/accessible place. there is no guy sitting at his computer screen for hours on end in a set-up like sword fish. most doxxing is done by simply doing a google search on a person's name and their email address, and boom i know who you are and where you live.(there is a slight amount more to it, but this is basicly it) in fact Google did a report on this 5 years ago with steps on how to avoid this from happening, as well as basic computer security tips, but no one read it i guess.

if people would just learn the basics of comp security (basicly read the terms of service documents for a site) this stuff wouldnt happen.

to be honest doxxing feels like the "rainbow parties" of yesteryear. just an over used phrase, that is being toted out just to scare. especially when doxxing has always existed (ie white pages)

 

[Itdoesthatsometimes]

A lot of doxxing can certainly be done by basically anyone. But that is not all that constitutes doxxing.

"One such example of Anonymous' work dates back to December 2011, when the group targeted several law-enforcement agencies that had been scrutinizing hacking activities.

The end result of this doxing attack resulted in hackers infiltrating secured databasesand exposing the information of 7,000 law-enforcement personnel, which included names, addresses, Social Security numbers, email addresses and passwords.

While Anonymous did not specifically do anything else with the information beyond sharing it with the public, this act potentially opened the floodgates for Internet cutthroats to commit fraud, email theft and more against each of the names exposed."
http://www.technewsdaily.com/17590-what-is-doxing.html

I hate to be using a scare tactic but, it is not as a benign as you suggest.

 

[blackmanon4chan]

they are as benign as i suggest and as damaging as you suggest(as bad security practice's typically are) leaving your door unlocked is typically a benign laps in security, so long as an ax murderer doesn't happen to be on the loose at the moment.
everything in context. their act is benign and really easy to avoid yet it can escalate quickly depending on who uses that act. as far as accessing secure databases im pretty sure they probably did a focused brute force based upon the police's profiles on facebook, something any script kitty could do.

like a said a google search on any of these or combination of these, and based upon a persons understanding and set up of social security, you will get that person's name address and the like. even worse if for some reason this person put their birth date and birthplace online. (for the love of god never do this ever ever ever)
First and last name
Gender
Birth date
Email address

google did a whole report on this years ago. i would post them but that would count as posting instructional videos on how to doxx.

 

[Itdoesthatsometimes]

they are as benign as i suggest and as damaging as you suggest(as bad security practice's typically are) leaving your door unlocked is typically a benign laps in security, so long as an ax murderer doesn't happen to be on the loose at the moment.
everything in context. their act is benign and really easy to avoid yet it can escalate quickly depending on who uses that act. as far as accessing secure databases im pretty sure they probably did a focused brute force based upon the police's profiles on facebook, something any script kitty could do.

like a said a google search on any of these or combination of these, and based upon a persons understanding and set up of social security, you will get that person's name address and the like. even worse if for some reason this person put their birth date and birthplace online. (for the love of god never do this ever ever ever)
First and last name
Gender
Birth date
Email address

google did a whole report on this years ago. i would post them but that would count as posting instructional videos on how to doxx.

I appreciate the advice to avoid doxxing, personally and with in this thread. I apologize for inaccurately stating what you were suggesting. And any contribution to scare tactics in my posts, aside from inspiring your thoughts and advice. I would like to hear more on your opinions about the scare tactics involved. Sorry for calling out your use of 'constantly' in the other thread, should have known it would bite me in the ass later.

 

[Lieju]

I was reading an article in wikipedia, and ran into this word. Granted the article had a few sources cited. I could not help but laugh. It reminded me of kindergartners. True that wikipedia is not the pillar of factual information. However, it is a go to source of information. It is appreciated to have sources. Older subjects have starkly less sources cited, naturally. More sources for more recent matters only makes sense.

I think what made me laugh was the use of the word doxxing, rather than the multiple sources cited. Like I said, I do not think the meaning of doxxing is funny. Just the juxtaposition of watching, multiple sources to support some silly cutesy name for it's meaning.

I imagine a future where this becomes embarrassing, or even worse one where it is not found to be embarrassing.

I'm not sure what you're opposed to here?
How language works? The term 'doxxing' is commonly used, and if you then want to find information about it, it stands for a reason sources like wikipedia would refer to it by that name.

 

[totheendofsin]

My question is why is it called Doxxing? I get what it means and why it's a shitty thing to do, but how did it get it's name?

 

[Something Amyss]

My question is why is it called Doxxing? I get what it means and why it's a shitty thing to do, but how did it get it's name?

The etymology is readily available online, but Doxing comes from Dox, which is just internet slang for Document (Docs). I don't know where it originated, but I do know years ago people were in fights over YouTube where people would use DMCA to "get someone's docs."

From there, it makes perfect sense to call that act "doxing."

 

[DoPo]

The etymology is readily available online, but Doxing comes from Dox, which is just internet slang for Document (Docs).

And going completely on a tangent, I prefer "docs/dox" for a shortened term, instead of the other variant I've seen floating around, which is "doco". Example usage "Here is some doco as an introduction". Just sounds...weird. And wrong.

On another note, I may have been on topic. I don't know, actually. I am not sure what "point out other words" actually entails. Because I suppose I did point out one, but I can also point out the word "apple" and it would be...well, pointing it out.

Umm, really, I just realised - I can't parse out what we should be pointing out.

 

[Something Amyss]

And going completely on a tangent, I prefer "docs/dox" for a shortened term, instead of the other variant I've seen floating around, which is "doco". Example usage "Here is some doco as an introduction". Just sounds...weird. And wrong.

On another note, I may have been on topic. I don't know, actually. I am not sure what "point out other words" actually entails. Because I suppose I did point out one, but I can also point out the word "apple" and it would be...well, pointing it out.

Umm, really, I just realised - I can't parse out what we should be pointing out.

"Doco" sounds like someone's euphemism for using the bathroom.

Yeah, I was confused about the "other words" thing, too. So I stuck to trying to be helpful (And probably failing).

 

[Ryan Hughes]

I am a word-nerd, so this subject is right up my alley.

I agree that the term "doxx" is pretty much the dumbest term you could come up with for the act of intentionally revealing personal information. On the other hand, it is fitting because the word is just about as intelligent and mature as the people who commit such activities. That is to say, it is stupid and childish.

Overall, it is part abbreviation, part euphemism, and all stupid. People have a tendency to euphemise things that -deep down- they know to be morally indefensible. War is called "defense," execution is called "capital punishment," people desperately flee from their own responsibility in many ways, and language is usually one of them. "Doxx" is no different, I assume it is from the word "document," but at the heart of the matter is usually one of two things: The desire to intimidate, or the desire to see harm done in such a way that a morally bankrupt person could distance themselves. By referring only to documents, they obscure the real-world consequences of their actions.

This is nothing new though, throughout history we have seen euphemism used like this. But the internet age is particularly infantile in its use of euphemism, making it so obviously the work of petulant, spoiled children that it almost is funny. Like watching one of those videos you see every new-year where the spoiled rich kid did not get the proper smart phone, then throws a tantrum. You just sit back and laugh, because you know that at this rate, that child will never live an authentic, meaningful life.

However, the real world consequences are not to be ignored, either. And many people have left their homes or been the victims of fraud, so at a certain point, we must stop laughing about this.

 

[Kopikatsu]

My question is why is it called Doxxing? I get what it means and why it's a shitty thing to do, but how did it get it's name?

It's a bastardized form of 'Docs' which is short for documents.

Edit: For some reason, my page didn't update, so I didn't see that about five other people already responded to this. So... oops.

 

[Itdoesthatsometimes]

I'm not sure what you're opposed to here?
How language works?

I am not opposed to the way language works, at least I did not use to be. I have always loved whimsy in language. But I did imply that maybe I got too old, and want the kids off my lawn. Ryan Hughes' post #11 (quote below), sums up pretty well more specific problems I have with the term doxxing.

And going completely on a tangent, I prefer "docs/dox" for a shortened term, instead of the other variant I've seen floating around, which is "doco". Example usage "Here is some doco as an introduction". Just sounds...weird. And wrong.

How is doco pronounced?

On another note, I may have been on topic. I don't know, actually. I am not sure what "point out other words" actually entails. Because I suppose I did point out one, but I can also point out the word "apple" and it would be...well, pointing it out.

Umm, really, I just realised - I can't parse out what we should be pointing out.

I put in that last sentence mainly as a reminder that the topic was not about who did what first, even if recent examples of doxxing were to be brought up in this thread. Pointing out other words was not an order, actually more or less sentence filler. Thanks for pointing it out. I do not feel completely off base using that phrase though.

I am a word-nerd, so this subject is right up my alley.

I agree that the term "doxx" is pretty much the dumbest term you could come up with for the act of intentionally revealing personal information. On the other hand, it is fitting because the word is just about as intelligent and mature as the people who commit such activities. That is to say, it is stupid and childish.

Overall, it is part abbreviation, part euphemism, and all stupid. People have a tendency to euphemise things that -deep down- they know to be morally indefensible. War is called "defense," execution is called "capital punishment," people desperately flee from their own responsibility in many ways, and language is usually one of them. "Doxx" is no different, I assume it is from the word "document," but at the heart of the matter is usually one of two things: The desire to intimidate, or the desire to see harm done in such a way that a morally bankrupt person could distance themselves. By referring only to documents, they obscure the real-world consequences of their actions.

This is nothing new though, throughout history we have seen euphemism used like this. But the internet age is particularly infantile in its use of euphemism, making it so obviously the work of petulant, spoiled children that it almost is funny. Like watching one of those videos you see every new-year where the spoiled rich kid did not get the proper smart phone, then throws a tantrum. You just sit back and laugh, because you know that at this rate, that child will never live an authentic, meaningful life.

However, the real world consequences are not to be ignored, either. And many people have left their homes or been the victims of fraud, so at a certain point, we must stop laughing about this.

I agree.

 

[Lieju]

I'm not sure what you're opposed to here?
How language works?

I am not opposed to the way language works, at least I did not use to be. I have always loved whimsy in language. But I did imply that maybe I got too old, and want the kids off my lawn. Ryan Hughes' post #11 (quote below), sums up pretty well more specific problems I have with the term doxxing.

Yeah, and they're the kind of issues that I have with the term 'swatting' (which is a word I refuse to use).

But it doesn't change the fact that the word is commonly used, so when you run into it on a forum it helps having then online dictionaries that tell you what it means.

 

[DoPo]

And going completely on a tangent, I prefer "docs/dox" for a shortened term, instead of the other variant I've seen floating around, which is "doco". Example usage "Here is some doco as an introduction". Just sounds...weird. And wrong.

How is doco pronounced?

I don't actually know - I've only ever seen it written. I'd imagine it's "doc-oh", however.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I am a word-nerd, so this subject is right up my alley.

I agree that the term "doxx" is pretty much the dumbest term you could come up with for the act of intentionally revealing personal information. On the other hand, it is fitting because the word is just about as intelligent and mature as the people who commit such activities. That is to say, it is stupid and childish.

Overall, it is part abbreviation, part euphemism, and all stupid. People have a tendency to euphemise things that -deep down- they know to be morally indefensible. War is called "defense," execution is called "capital punishment," people desperately flee from their own responsibility in many ways, and language is usually one of them. "Doxx" is no different, I assume it is from the word "document," but at the heart of the matter is usually one of two things: The desire to intimidate, or the desire to see harm done in such a way that a morally bankrupt person could distance themselves. By referring only to documents, they obscure the real-world consequences of their actions.

This is nothing new though, throughout history we have seen euphemism used like this. But the internet age is particularly infantile in its use of euphemism, making it so obviously the work of petulant, spoiled children that it almost is funny. Like watching one of those videos you see every new-year where the spoiled rich kid did not get the proper smart phone, then throws a tantrum. You just sit back and laugh, because you know that at this rate, that child will never live an authentic, meaningful life.

However, the real world consequences are not to be ignored, either. And many people have left their homes or been the victims of fraud, so at a certain point, we must stop laughing about this.

Language as smokescreen. It's been in the politician's playbook for centuries.

 

[Ryan Hughes]

Language as smokescreen. It's been in the politician's playbook for centuries.

Indeed. However, politicians would at least try to come up with something clever, like: "Freedom of Information." That spins the true intent of the act with empty but usually positive signifiers. Dox is so lame and childish that it beggars description. So, we can actually take hope that no matter how evil these people are, at least they are equally stupid, and can thus be easily defeated.

 

[blackmanon4chan]

I appreciate the advice to avoid doxxing, personally and with in this thread. I apologize for inaccurately stating what you were suggesting. And any contribution to scare tactics in my posts, aside from inspiring your thoughts and advice. I would like to hear more on your opinions about the scare tactics involved. Sorry for calling out your use of 'constantly' in the other thread, should have known it would bite me in the ass later.

not you persay, im just tired of others using doxx as a word simply to scare, as in the online gamer conflict that shall not be named to avoid conflict on this thread(lol the whole affair has turned into Voldemort). By with holding information of what a doxxing is and its normal ramifications (which is typically, some guy calling your house a few times until you get the number changed, or some gay porn being mailed until you call the company to have it canceled; you know typically prankster 500 pizzas type stuff).

Yeah doxxing is annoying, and many even find it to be scary especially since they dont know what it is, and most picture that smoking hacker at his crt on hours at end trying to access your information, when really its just some guy working for 30 mins to 2 hours (depending on how good you are with security) checking a computer users common mistakes. (i really wanna give an example on here so badly but i know ill be flagged DX, but turn off your gps when you take pictures or do anything social) For the most part its really benign, hell for all parts i have yet to hear a doxxing story that went completely tragic(as in deaths or actual physical violence, i haven't seen it but hell i haven't been looking that hard, i protects my security, and i know i lack empathy )