Really uncomfortable work situation....

[geekwarrior]

if you lose your job over this you can sue them so bad you'd never have to work again.....

[Major Ho]

Don't touch the files. Walk away from the computer and call the cops. No joke. I'm an InfoSec professional. Child Porn is not something to joke about or deal with in any way. You don't want to investigate further. You don't want to do anything more on that machine. Simply walk away and call the cops.

Ditto. I took an Information Security Class a semester or two ago and the professor works for the Dept. Of Justice in the Child Pornography division. What his class taught me is that everything leaves fingerprints/footprints. Walk away and hope you havent "tainted" the potential crime scene. If it does lead where you think it does their forensic guys can dig up all kinds of crazy detailed information

[Recon by Fire]

Child pornography is a felony, you are required to report it. If they fired you for reporting illegal activities, all the better, the damages in your law suit would more than make up for the lost wages!

Or there is always blackmail...

[tropical_fishy]

I cannot believe you are even questioning what to do in this situation. You have come across a computer with questionable content on it. If it's nothing, then it's nothing-- but it's NOT, under any circumstances, YOUR decision to say it's nothing. Think about it this way. An EMT, coming on a scene, cannot declare a patient dead, even if there are no vital signs. Said EMT must transport the patient and do all he/she can until arrival at the hospital. A doctor has to declare the patient dead. You have no authority to declare these pictures kiddie porn or not. Turn it over to someone who does. Those children are someone's KIDS. If it's the father's, what do you think is happening to those kids? If it's the son's, what message are you sending by turning a blind eye?

No employer has the right to fire you for this. No child should be subjected to this, ever.

You have no idea how many lives pedophiles ruin.

[neppo1345]

I cannot believe you are even questioning what to do in this situation. You have come across a computer with questionable content on it. If it's nothing, then it's nothing-- but it's NOT, under any circumstances, YOUR decision to say it's nothing. Think about it this way. An EMT, coming on a scene, cannot declare a patient dead, even if there are no vital signs. Said EMT must transport the patient and do all he/she can until arrival at the hospital. A doctor has to declare the patient dead. You have no authority to declare these pictures kiddie porn or not. Turn it over to someone who does. Those children are someone's KIDS. If it's the father's, what do you think is happening to those kids? If it's the son's, what message are you sending by turning a blind eye?

No employer has the right to fire you for this. No child should be subjected to this, ever.

You have no idea how many lives pedophiles ruin.

Actually...if he signed a NDA...he could be fired. Granted that's highly unlikely unless he goes to the law withoug consulting his boss/superiors.

Tell your boss, let him make the decision. Just go through the proper channels before contacting the police.

Just do what you feel is right. Which I hope will be going through the proper channels to get the ******* arrested.

[Army]

The NDA only covers legal files and activities. It in no way stops disclosure or reporting of felonious activity.

[neppo1345]

The NDA only covers legal files and activities. It in no way stops disclosure or reporting of felonious activity.

Some require you to report the activity to a superior before going straight to the police.

[tropical_fishy]

Some require you to report the activity to a superior before going straight to the police.

I don't see how any employer can fault an employee for reporting ILLEGAL activity to the police.

[Rudz]

hmmm

maybe its the daughters....or the mothers??!!! ..but yes..report it to a superior..and tell them to report it to the police or you will...for you own protection against any legalalties

[Grey Goose]

Report it. You'll thank yourself later when you're a parent :)

[Lohman446]

Morally I would report it - there is an ethical question.

Considering the depths that one hears them going to to take legal action against anyone at all involved in kiddi porn I would report it from a legal aspect to. That is not something you want even a breath of on your record.

[Altimas]

Yeah I would report it and then make sure you tell us what happens afterwards.

[m-a-r-k-7]

Well since there are thousands of files I would deffinatly report it. If there was just one it may have been an accedential download (unlikely I know) but since there are thousands you know this person knew what they were doing.

[Kevmaster]

Well since there are thousands of files I would deffinatly report it. If there was just one it may have been an accedential download (unlikely I know) but since there are thousands you know this person knew what they were doing.

i think you have a choice. if your boss is someone of strong moral character, report it to him and let him go through with the reporting to the authorities. If he is not and is someoen you think would tell you to just do the job and return the computer, then do it yourself. either way...report that stuff ASAP

[Lohman446]

Rickers going to have the authorities knocking on his door after that post

Option A) Don't report it
Worst possibe outcome: Jail time with some guy at prison showing you the intricacies of gay porn.

Option B) Report it
Worst possible outcome: Fired, loose your job, hire a good attorney, and find yourself having a good "severance" package. Or - boss doesn't care and no impact on your job

Hmmm... how is this hard again?