Do not accept friend requests, and do not direct message people in Discord, without following the proper steps.
Be proactive and careful online when interacting with links or files.
Unlike Slack, you should never accept a friend request, or direct message someone in Discord without following protocol described in this video. People can send some really malicious files, links, or messages in DM. A lot of hacks happen this way. It's a security concern for keeping you all safe online in Tech Fleet forums.
Please report any suspicious messages or friend requests you receive to a moderator using the Tech Fleet Discord ticket system.
It's not that we don't want you to have friends! We do! We promise!
It's that we'd like to protect you all and Tech Fleet from online harm. Only you can prevent this, by following these guidelines and not interacting with links, files, or messages sent to you.
Please use public threads in Discord to message people individually. Right-click a message and select "Create Thread". Everyone has permissions in public channels. We hope this will be what you need to break out further conversations with your peers in the online community. See Basic Interation section for instructions.
If you need a private chat, go to Create a Ticket channel under the Support menu in Tech Fleet Discord. Create a support ticket and a Tech Fleet mod will discuss your needs. See Get Support section for instructions.
If you ever receive a friend request from someone you don't know, or think you know, IGNORE IT. REPORT IT.
ALWAYS ASSUME A RANDOM DM OR FRIEND REQUEST IN DISCORD IS A SCAM.
Here's how to securely direct message people in Discord
In a public channel, YOU tell THEM to DM YOU. Tell them "Friend request and DM me". Wait for the other user to request you as a friend.
Click on their profile pic from the general channel.
Check your friendship request in Discord from within the same public channel (by clicking on the other person's profile picture to see your pending request) to ensure your friend request ties back to the same person. It's best to do this so that you can be sure the friend requests you see tie back to the real person. After all, someone may be impersonating that person and trying to message you!
Once the friend request is accepted in discord, you can direct message with the person.
Go to your direct messages with the new friend, and wave to your new verified friend.
Now you can chat safely in a direct message!
WE REPEAT: DO NOT ACCEPT FRIEND REQUESTS IF YOU DID NOT FOLLOW THIS PROTOCOL. IF YOU SEE A RANDOM FRIEND REQUEST IN DISCORD, IT IS PROBABLY A SCAMMER. REPORT ALL SCAMMERS TO TECH FLEET MODERATORS. IGNORE THE REQUEST. DO NOT INTERACT WITH THE MESSAGE OR THE PERSON.
Thanks for following security procedures for the Tech Fleet Community. Your community members appreciate your diligence and attention to these important ways in keeping us all safe online. If you have any questions, please email Tech Fleet at info at tech fleet dot org, or Create a support ticket in Tech Fleet Discord to speak with a moderator.