Recently, somebody claimed I leaked information on the web. I did not. I did however, find it on usenet and was distributing via p2p, not realizing this would be a problem...

The claim is that they traced my IP. I use a major ISP which claims that they would not divulge short of a court order, or without notifying me, unless it came from a governmental agency.

The rub is that there is a log file with the files that indicates hardware I don't own, but beyond that, I don't believe them.
There was a physical security failure at an event, and because I had my laptop, they blame me (imho). I found the files several days later and did not know the files are the ones they were using at the event (because I was working as facilities staff-lights operator, not actually using the files at the event).
Now, beyond all the potential failure points in their chain, could they have actually identified anyone via an IP? My guess from perusing these forums is no.
 
I do use a static internal IP after the ISP modem to facilitate open ports for certain connectivity. They do not have attys, and are not likely involved in a police investigation.

The only reason I ask is because of countless stories of 'Anonymous' tracking peoples identities via forum posts et cetera...
They do it somehow....

Lol bro, i think he asked a question and his main purpose of posting is to ask the questions but think if he frames it well, it will yield him replies.

the question he actually asked in the long story is "CAN SOMEBODY BE TRACED USING HIS IP ADDRESS"

@Bozzums, to me the answer is YES, you said you are on a static IP which means it do not auto change, it remains the same, if a whois is conducted on your IP, it will display the range, the location, your ISP, emails, phone numbers and many other things....an attacker can call or send an email with a report to your isp to reporting your IP address, your ISP have all your information used in registering for your account, this which they can reveal to the attacker and there you are, no more anonymous because your identity is revealed.

that is why many people use vpn and spoof their ip to hide their original ip given to them by the ISP.

So, you were working at an event, where there was some kind of situation with physical security.  You had a laptop with you at the time of the event.  After the event you downloaded information regarding the event from USENET and shared it out via p2p.  Now someone related to the event is claiming that you are responsible for the situation with physical security?

First off, dude, you sound way too guilty.  Second, it does not matter if they "could" track your IP address to you.  I am sure they did (hint: there are a lot of coincidences in your story).  It would not take your ISP top figure this out.  Opening a p2p connection with someone else reveils a lot of information about you and your computer.  That is why people mentioned using VPNs, anonymizers, or otherwise spoof IPs.  Anyway, if "they" do not have an attorney or have involved law enforcement, then why are you worried?

If you are guilty, get yourself a lawyer who knows about computers and related laws.  If you are not guilty, then... well... stop doing poop which may lead you into trouble.

So, nobody has even contacted you directly about the alleged files?  Sounds like you friends are pulling your leg on this one.

You remind me of Joey from Hackers.  It is the scene where he says he hacked a server and then he hears on the news that an ATM started spewing out $20s all over the street, but they are BOTH related incidents.

I found it at 3:47: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy0NU-rAlT8

I would say yes, it is.

Not sure if I understood everything correctly but as youself were not contacted by any lawyer or similar I wouldn't be so nervous about it (?). However, if you are in doubt I would contact a lawyer who is specialised in computer laws.

thought about the Joe Smith thing today, and noticing that my tinfoil hat behaviors kind of make this moot. Everything 'File Vault' encrypted and my machine thinks my name is a pseudonym (not linked to me).

I suppose someone could get the mac address of a machine, which isn't registered anywhere any way (other than at manufacturer and point of sale).

Which brings me to another thought; What is everybody so worried about then?
If someone wanted to own a network, wouldn't leaving a usb stick to be 'found' by a fool or samaritan that plugs it in at work, releasing software coded to open something up be far more effective than attacking open ports in a firewall?

Getting an IP via a yahoo messenger connection is neet and all, but ultimately gives no real info, and it just seems to me that most of this revolves around better safe than sorry. I'd like to know what sort of 'identifiable information' can be seen by a general p2p connection beyond the possibility of viewing documents and a random yet real mac address

BTW, the amount of info on this site is wonderful.