When I first started being active on the internet, I was very naive to the Internet World.  I’ve learned a lot in the past year and thought that I truly understood the power of the internet.  Until I read, “Google™ Bomb”.

Lets just say that I now feel as though I lived in a cave.  I was totally unaware of the true power and damage that the internet can do.  I don’t know where I was in 2006 to not have heard of the landmark internet case that won Sue Scheff $11.3 million for defamation of character.  The only thing I can think of is that I wasn’t active online and didn’t really pay attention to what happened in the internet world.

When I was asked to review this book, I was curious as to find out what could have happened to Sue to make her have won such a large lawsuit.  I had never heard of the term Google™ Bomb and thought it would be an informative read.  I HAD NO IDEA JUST HOW MUCH I WOULD LEARN.

I was happy to provide this review if only to spread the word of how vicious the internet could be and in hopes of getting the word out that there are simple things you can do to protect yourself.

A great book has the capacity to invoke stroke emotions in its reader or the capacity to educate.  “Google™ Bomb” fulfills both stroke emotions and educates.

The book starts with Sue Scheff’s day in court just before she receives her verdict awarding her with $11.3 million in damages.  She then proceeds to describe her story.  Her reputation was destroyed and she almost lost her business because of false statements about her and her business that went viral.  She learned first hand about what it feels like to be Google™ Bombed.

The book takes us to the beginning and the first time she decided to Google™ her name.  Much to her surprise, she found many defamatory statements about her and her business.  In fact, there were a total of five hundred and fifty-six posts written about her in six months from the same source.  All before she even found out about the website.

Relying on her reputation to continue in business, the internet defamation began to take its toll.  Falling into a deep depression accompanied by agoraphobia, Sue Scheff could not escape the abusive attacks from strangers and the paranoia that accompanies such abuse.

However, this story is about how she fought back, and sued the figure head who launched the attack campaign.

Talk about an emotional roller-coaster.  Just when I thought it was over for her, after winning her case, it got worse.  MUCH WORSE.

But you’ll have to read the book to find out how.

The book was written by both Sue Scheff and John W. Dozier Jr., a lawyer who specializes in Internet Law.  What I loved about this book is how it went back and forth between narrators.  A chapter will walk you through Sue’s story. Then at the start of the next chapter, John takes you through the steps of how to protect yourself against the same thing happening to you.

My copy is now filled with underlining, book marks and notes on John describing Google™ Bomb and the ways to protect yourself.

John W. Dozier Jr., walks us through:

• Who are the Internet predators and the various blogger personas you should look out for
• How to know you’ve been attacked online
• The common reaction people have when they are attacked online and how you should avoid it (Streisand Effect)
• How to protect yourself online:  Top 10 defensive tactics
• When to seek outside help
• 10 recommended legislative changes

At the beginning of the book, I felt very naive.  At the end of the book, I felt educated.  In my opinion, this is a must read.

This review is a two part.  I was happy to have the opportunity to ask Sue Scheff some questions and I will post her answers tomorrow.

About the Authors

Sue Scheff is the founder of Parents’ Universal Resources Experts, Inc. (P.U.R.E.), a child and parenting advocacy organization, and a noted expert on Internet Defamation by countless mediums. Sue Scheff’s first book “Wit’s End! Advice and Resources for Saving Your Out of Control Teen “  also published by Health Communications, Inc. has helped many families with at risk teens. She has appeared on The Rachel Ray Show, ABC News, 20/20, CNN Headline News, Fox News,CBS Nightly News, CBC News: Sunday Morning, and NPR, to name a few. Visit the author at www.suescheff.com .

John Dozier began practicing law in 1981 and is recognized, through peer review, for his high level of skill and integrity. His firm, Dozier Internet Law protects the reputations and intellectual property of businesses by handling legal matters involving online defamation, copyright and trademark infringement, and hacking. John is the author and publisher of the Dozier Internet Law Federal Court Report and is a leading pro-business commentator on Internet law. He lives in Virginia. For more information, visit www.cybertriallawyer.com.

Michael Fertik (forward) is a repeat Internet entrepreneur and CEO with experience in technology and law. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. In his capacity as CEO of ReputationDefender, Michael serves on the advisory board of The Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe), a non-profit that works for the health and safety of youth online.  Michael Fertik has been featured on ABC News, 20/20, Good Morning America, NBC News, The Today Show, CBS News, The Early Show, Fox and Friends, Fox News, NPR, CNN, Forbes, Newsweek, Washington Post and many more media outlets for his expertise in online reputation management. For more information, visit www.michaelfertik.com / www.reputationdefender.com.

Thank you to PR by the Book, LLC, for providing me with a review copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own, and have not been influenced by receiving the review item.