Question:
I am repairing a laptop computer for an Associate Pastor of a local United Methodist Church. She wanted it checked for viruses as well as spyware. After removing 188 pieces of spyware and 67 viruses, I started to look at the source of them.
When I looked into the location of most of them, it was under her husband's log in and his temporary Internet files. Upon further inspection, I found his temporary Internet files to be full of pornography.
The question is this: when/if she asks where the viruses and spyware came from, should I tell her what I found? Moreover, is it my place to reveal such an issue to this woman?
Ugh... I wish everything was black and white as it is in Star Trek...
Answer:
Jeez, that's tough. On the one hand, the spouse has a right to know, but on the other hand, it's not really your business.
At the moment, I'd lean toward simply telling her that the spyware and virii were, in fact, the source of her problem. The porn sites aren't necessarily where the virii and spyware came from, but it's a very high probability that they are. If she delves deeper, I wouldn't lie to her, but I don't know that I would tell her unless she asks. At least for now.
Answer:
Maybe talk to her husband about that?
I don't know, that's really tough...
Answer:
i agree with chris. don't tell her unless she asks. it's a hard issue i know. i also agree with andrew in going to the husband.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Andrew Maybe talk to her husband about that?
I don't know, that's really tough... I only agree with this assuming you (Freaky, not Andrew) are male (which I assume you are? ).
Answer:
Man that is tough......
I would be inclined to tell her in around-about way.
i cant really think about an example, ill try to and get back to you!
Answer:
I would not let the wife know, I would simply take care of her wish to eliminate the spyware.

However, as for the husband's problem, I would be frank and talk to the source of the problem (the husband himself) and let him deal with his own mistakes. Depending upon your age, that could be extremely uncomfortable. It could be even more uncomfortable considering that Christians are commanded to call out other Christians:

"¹Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. ²Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, ⁵for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6: 1-5

Another added advantage to letting the husband see the spyware is that he now knows that his online actions can be documented and are not neccessarily hideable. But do trust what the Word of God tells Christians to do.
Answer:
The other thing is that I do not attend this church and do not know the husband -- I barely know the wife/pastor involved.
I have come to the conclusion that the proper thing to do is to say, if she asks where the viruses came from, that they originated from adult-oriented websites and allow her to probe deeper if she so desires. If this is an issue she knows of, she can deal with it. If she doesn't know, she may ask for more information. I know that is where they came from, however, because some of the files where the infection originated were directly downloaded from porn sites -- easily discovered by viewing 'Details' in the file manager of the Temporary Internet Files.
Thanks to all of you who offered advice. I will pray about it and go from there.
Answer:
Originally Posted by FreakShiny The other thing is that I do not attend this church and do not know the husband -- I barely know the wife/pastor involved.
I have come to the conclusion that the proper thing to do is to say, if she asks where the viruses came from, that they originated from adult-oriented websites and allow her to probe deeper if she so desires. If this is an issue she knows of, she can deal with it. If she doesn't know, she may ask for more information. I know that is where they came from, however, because some of the files where the infection originated were directly downloaded from porn sites -- easily discovered by viewing 'Details' in the file manager of the Temporary Internet Files.
Thanks to all of you who offered advice. I will pray about it and go from there.
Just be careful, but I am praying. I have been in this situation. Only in my cases there were extenuating circumstances. (Youth leader and child porn) and another where a confrontation was in order.
I will be praying for you.
Answer:
Hmm, if you barely know her and don't know her husband, I'd be a bit more inclined toward not saying anything. Don't lie, but I wouldn't get into it. Besides, she probably already knows he's struggling with it.
- Chris, on Luke's computer
Answer:
As a woman, I would want to know. But and it is a big but, natural female reaction is to shoot the messenger and protect her family. Natural reaction for both male and female actually but woman tend to be a lot more protective of thier family.
You might just tell her that she needs a virus protection, spyware blocker, and possibly a parental filter. Just what ever you do tread very carefully.
Answer:
There's a freak chance that the stuff installed itself (say... 1 in 1000 chance), so I wouldn't say anything to his wife. If anyone, I'd tell the senior pastor.
Answer:
Originally Posted by FreakShiny The question is this: when/if she asks where the viruses and spyware came from, should I tell her what I found? Moreover, is it my place to reveal such an issue to this woman?
You're in a tough situation because you aren't directly connected with this church; otherwise the obvious thing to do would be to talk to the pastor yourself or go to someone who has the authority to confront him. I might suggest that anyways: pay a visit to the senior pastor of the church and tell him what you found. Or barring that, at least email him.
I would advise against telling his wife directly. If he has a porn problem, he probably has marital problems, and because you don't know them well you aren't equipped to get involved in that. Far better to hand the matter off to someone who knows the situation better.
Regardless, it's important that you tell someone. A pastor in that sort of bondage cannot _possibly_ be doing a good job of ministry, and will only do harm to that church if this remains a secret.
Answer:
Again, it is not the pastor's computer. The owner of the computer is a Methodist associate pastor... it is her husband's log in on the computer that had the porn.
In any case, I gave the computer back to her after repairing it and she didn't even ask where the viruses came from. Sigh of relief for me! I will just pray for them.
Thanks, all!