Will my previous company trace me?
I was laid off from a company. If I send confidential design information to the company's customer that would hurt the company financially, is that enough for them to get a court order to find out whos IP address it was?
Update:But if they believe it was me, don't they still need evidence to drag me into court?
I could send am anonymous snail mail. There are a 3 other people that are still working at the company that know this damaging info, maybe one of them sent it and wanted it to look like it my me since I was laid off?
Is that enough to justify a trial?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Depending on what type of harm you are planning to do to your prior employer, it is very likely their insurance company would reimburse them for any damages. Once the company is reimbursed, the insurance company would conduct a full investigation (including tracing your IP, getting the police to obtain and execute search warrants on your computer, text messages, etc) which would lead them directly to you. Then they would go after you to collect all the payments that they have made (this is called subrogation) and they would also make sure that you were prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Basically you would find yourself facing criminal and civil prosecution, extensive legal bills, loss of income (you can't work while you are in court or jail, complete loss of reputation, etc. If you are convicted, you would end up with a criminal history which would essentially mean you would probably never be able to find a decent job again.
I believe the fact that you are asking this question tells us that you are having second thoughts about your plans. I suggest that you truly think about this. Trying to get revenge in this case will end up backfiring and hurting you irreparably.
I hope this information helps you in reaching a decision that will be for the higher good. Good Luck
If it hurts them financially, of course that is enough for them to pursue a court order for the information. Financial loss is exactly what companies work hard to protect themselves from and defend themselves against.
what do you gain from it? nothing. you only want them to suffer loss. but it is more likely that you suffer more loss when the company come after you. the company is more likely to be able to withstand the loss you caused then you can when they sue you. it is very easy to track you down and once they got you, you are going down. remember, reputation is important so don't do petty and childish things like that. be professional. spend your time to find another job. also, the customer who get the information may not be thankful. they may even expose you as this is business crime and it may not be worthwhile for them to get involved by not reporting.
They do not need the IP address. There are other ways to learn who sent it.
There is also a way to send something without using your own IP address, but I am not disclosing the details here, because you seem to be planning to do something that may be illegal.
Yes.
For me, it would be enough.