|
|
|
UER Store
|
|
order your copy of Access All Areas today!
|
|
|
Cross-
Total Likes: 78 likes
| | | Re: Tales of Social Engineering < Reply # 9 on 8/8/2019 2:28 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | My friend and I were exploring what we thought was an abandoned dentist's clinic in a downtown city. After taking shots of the first floor we worked our way to the second floor and we found the entire room was decked out in political shirts, posters, maps, volunteer schedules, talking points, etc. We realized a candidate was using the second floor as their campaign headquarters. Right as we turned to leave, the candidate himself walked through the front door. My friend wanted to hide but I told him we'd have a better time just talking our way out of it then getting discovered crouched in some corner. We walked up to the guy and pretended we were students from a local university that wanted to volunteer but, finding the front door open, thought we had to go upstairs to sign up. The guy seemed startled at first but then eventually took our contact information (made up) and, after talking politics for a while, told us he'd contact us later. Sometimes there's no real good excuse for being in a place, but as long as there is plausible deniability, I find that talking your way out of a situation is usually easier.
|
|
| Cfourexplore
Location: North Carolina Gender: Male Total Likes: 583 likes
Never a dull moment in Midworld.
| | | Re: Tales of Social Engineering < Reply # 11 on 8/8/2019 10:35 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | I've had a few experiences while exploring that definitely required some social engineering...I'm usually pretty good (or lucky) about not running into people, or at least remaining innocuous and like I belong to those who do see me. -My first explore (years before using that word as a noun) was an abandoned amusement park that my family used to go to when I was young. I talked my brothers into checking out the (by then) defunct park on the way home from a family trip. We arrive, and as my brother is attempting to breach the front gate security system (frayed nylon rope tied in a simple knot holding the gates shut), an SUV shows up...two guys, who tell me they're meeting the owners of the property here to discuss the fate of the place. They were nice guys, and while they weren't bothered by our presence there, they doubted we'd be given permission to explore. My brother spotted the meeting spot while I took what shots I could...then decided to walk down a service road into the park and directly confront the owners. Well, long story short(er), they gave us the go ahead, and we were allowed to walk around. I think my brother had won them over by pulling the nostalgia card. -Last year I was at an abandoned textile mill; no signs, gate was wide open...so I entered and parked. Ten minutes later I walk out of a building and a red truck drives by, leaving the property. Fortunately he didn't see me. The guy behind him in a white truck did...I've got my backpack on, holding my camera; I smile and slowly approach him. His first question is, "Who are you here with?" I told him I was alone, and realized he thought I was with a construction outfit. I told him directly about my hobby, and added, 'I hope I'm not causing trouble for anyone, I saw the gate was open and it looked pretty deserted." He laughed and said I was ok, "Hell, there's nothin' worth stealing in there anyway, damn vandals even stole the posted signs!" He'd said the gate was open because of an active water treatment site behind the mill. He warned me to be careful in there, but that nobody would likely bother me if I was just taking pics...so long as I stayed out of the treatment plant's perimeter. -This year I went to one of my most favorite cities to explore; and was looking to revisit some sites, and wanted to find a legal place to park...a few weeks before, I had struck up a conversation with a cop who was guarding one of the big asylums (one I've infiltrated once, and was hoping for another chance). Well, on this day he was here again, so we got to talking, and he showed me a lot I could park in. He began telling me about some of the old buildings near here (many that I'd already explored), and at one point said there was some old equipment in the one down the road. I said, "Well, I guess I won't be able to get in, right?" He replies, "Well, I know the front door's open in that one...guess I shouldn't have told you that, huh?" I told him I wouldn't go in if it was gonna cause trouble, and he said, "As long as you don't try getting in (the asylum), we won't have an issue...that's what they want me to watch." I really tried coercing him into doing an inside patrol with me as a backup, but he wouldn't go for it. He did of course give me the 'be careful, don't break stuff' speech, and even said if I find anything weird to let him know. That had been a fun day, and rather ironic considering the week before I'd came VERY close to being arrested in Tennessee while exploring (this is already rather long, maybe that'll be a story for another day), and here I was now damn near getting assistance (if not veiled permission) from a cop, to explore.
| "When you've truly done something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all." |
| 1footinthegrave
Location: Atlanta, GA USA Gender: Female Total Likes: 107 likes
| | | Re: Tales of Social Engineering < Reply # 12 on 8/9/2019 12:36 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | Posted by blackhawk Gotten unlimited permission to shoot multiple large demo sites and the Chester Power Station including roof access. Unofficially from the PA State police to shoot Pennhurst when it was still state controlled. Being straight forward with people and understanding their concerns has got me into some of the best sites. People hate being lied to; I try to avoid doing it. Working with people has gotten me further than trying to play them. WYSIWYG Doesn't work every time... Beth Steel was trespassing all the way. If so make sure whatever it is, is worth the trouble.
| If you are new and looking thru this site for advice - read above. Blackhawk is dead ass on this. Dead. Ass. I'm one of those people who always asks permission. Too much on the line with my career and honestly too much respect for how much risk an owner takes. They can be financially ruined if someone hurts themselves on their property. Once again, law suit happy people ruin life for everyone else.....so, now here we are. Unless CLEARLY abandoned with no signs forbidding entry, I ask permission. The only place that was just a hard NO was a quarry. Oh well. Again, it boiled down to their insurance and financial risk. They were super nice but firm. I left. Its their property at the end of the day, so I respect that. I'm sure I'll get some hate for this post, that's ok. Some will even say this is NOT Urban Exploration. Again, that is OK. Its how I combine what I find fascinating and not losing all I have built in life to stupid trespassing charges. After my divorce, I go the LONG way around to avoid even coming near a courtroom. I lost so much faith in the justice system. So much faith.
| |
| blackhawk This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
Location: Mission Control Total Likes: 3996 likes
UER newbie
| | | | Re: Tales of Social Engineering < Reply # 17 on 8/10/2019 11:59 PM > | Reply with Quote
| | | Posted by 1footinthegrave
If you are new and looking thru this site for advice - read above. Blackhawk is dead ass on this. Dead. Ass. I'm one of those people who always asks permission. Too much on the line with my career and honestly too much respect for how much risk an owner takes. They can be financially ruined if someone hurts themselves on their property. Once again, law suit happy people ruin life for everyone else.....so, now here we are. Unless CLEARLY abandoned with no signs forbidding entry, I ask permission. The only place that was just a hard NO was a quarry. Oh well. Again, it boiled down to their insurance and financial risk. They were super nice but firm. I left. Its their property at the end of the day, so I respect that. I'm sure I'll get some hate for this post, that's ok. Some will even say this is NOT Urban Exploration. Again, that is OK. Its how I combine what I find fascinating and not losing all I have built in life to stupid trespassing charges. After my divorce, I go the LONG way around to avoid even coming near a courtroom. I lost so much faith in the justice system. So much faith.
| So now I'm Dead. Ass.? I'll take anything that's remotely complimentary from a pretty girl -&- I’ll tell the 30 odd 6 tripod story that cost me about $1100. You never realize how fast and bad things can spiral out of control until it happens to you. Damage control at that point is a bitch; it gets real drawn out and tedious. Better have your ass in gear to eats tons of humble pie with humility and grace. It starts with an obscure but cool decommissioned Nike site in NJ... and a dumb ass 13 yo reporting a shooter entering the treeline. ●Had the whole local police force out looking for me... and my tripod. ●They set up a perimeter with road blocks and a command post complete with EMT's and ambulance... hell probably a soda stand too. ●They were fixing to bring in K-9s ●Eventually got taken down with a #12 shotgun at point blank range by a bunch of really pissed off cops. ●They impounded my gear/car, got search warrants and searched. ●I showed remorse right off the get go for their troubles that day. Sort of like kicking a hornet's nest you thought was empty with nowhere to run... instant and intense regret. ●Was charged with 2 state felony counts. ●In time their mood soften and the Lt told me I was the most compliant prisoner they ever had after I sat handcuffed to a bench only speaking when spoken too for over 2 hours. Told him exactly why and what I was doing. He eventually released me on my own recognizance less my gear and car. ●A week or so later after a 30 minute sit down with the Chief got my gear back and worked out a deal. The Chief didn't have to see me; politeness and honesty can go a long way. A few weeks later after talking with the Prosecutor, the Chief was good to his word. $650 in fines/court costs with everything dialed back to municipal misdemeanors. The rest of the cost was taxis and impound fees. ●What the Chief saw on my images match my story line 100% ie WYSIWYG. Turns out he was fascinated by -his- headache Nike site. I also offered him images if he wanted any. ●The end results were as good or better than a lawyer could have done and a lot cheaper. ●The Chief also invited me back to the Nike site... turns out he had the key to the main gate and temporary control of it. The irony of it isn't lost on me... ♤One of the lessons learned; don't get too clever for your own good ♤ Posted by 2Xplorations
This kinda says it all I wont lie to people even if there are no consequences for being uncovered. Its just bad form and what it says about your exploring skills, well I wont even say what it says. Personally I have gotten more reward by infiltrating places Im not supposed to go.
| One's own integrity can be turned into a slippery slope by getting into the vice of perpetually using lies when the truth would serve them better. Eventually their lies become them.
[last edit 8/11/2019 12:07 AM by blackhawk - edited 1 times]
| Just when I thought I was out... they pulled me back in. |
| |
This thread is in a public category, and can't be made private. |
|
All content and images copyright © 2002-2024 UER.CA and respective creators. Graphical Design by Crossfire.
To contact webmaster, or click to email with problems or other questions about this site:
UER CONTACT
View Terms of Service |
View Privacy Policy |
Server colocation provided by Beanfield
This page was generated for you in 187 milliseconds. Since June 23, 2002, a total of 739136159 pages have been generated.
|
|