[starman]

Hi all,
In the last few years, especially since I started podcasting, I've had this terrible uneasiness about putting too much info about myself on the 'net. You hear stories about how jerkoffs drive thousands of miles to set someone's trailer on fire and such and it just makes you wonder if you could be next. Not that I have a problem with anyone here, but I mean in general. I don't post pics of my kids, my house, my friends.
But there's another side to all this. EVERYONE else I know does it and has no problems. So there's this social aspect to the whole thing that I think I'm missing out on. The 'net has become a place where you can show pictures of your life to people without worrying about them falling asleep during your slide show presentation. Nobody I know that posts pictures or puts their real name out there and has had a problem with this. I'm wondering if they're really safe, or if it's just a matter of time before someone does something.
Then there's identity theft. I've been a victim to that three times. The last one was ugly. I can't even get into it, but all I can tell people is to watch their credit card statements. Don't assume that fraud protection catches everything.
So am I being paranoid?

[Chuckit]

I wouldn't say it's a matter of time before somebody does something. Getting stalked over the Internet is a bit like being the victim of a school shooting — it's scary and pretty bad if it happens, but it's not really something you can bank on. I don't put a lot of personal information about myself on the Web because, while I really doubt anything bad would come of it, there's just no need.

My cousin (OMG personal info!), on the other hand, is a network security specialist, and she completely refuses to even have an e-mail that's not complete gibberish. For what it's worth, neither of us has been cyber-stalked.

I also wouldn't apply this thinking to kids, because obviously they're more vulnerable and it's not altogether unlikely there's some sicko living nearby who might find the info interesting.

[Dakarʒ]

I have reservations, yes. I try not to be paranoid about it. I'm also a fairly private person to begin with.

[Doofy]

I'd like to think I'm sensible.

As such, my full real name is only in two place on the 'net. One is my bank and the other is a PDF document which you wouldn't associate with me anyway (you wouldn't know the name from Adam).

[starman]

Ok, let me elaborate a little bit.

In the last few years, I've seen less and less podcasters using nicknames and more people using their real names. I'm the last podcaster in my genre still using a nickname; everyone else has given out their real names. Why does this matter? I'm afraid nobody's going to take me seriously outside the genre if I stick with using Starman. I've already heard from people on my server that someone's been trying to track down my WoW character (whose name I never gave out). Things like that make me nervous. Someone had to do a lot of research to get that far. Imagine if I just gave up my real name.

I already get stupid emails from listeners (what's the best pet? what's the best class? is buying gold legal? blah blah blah). I don't need phone calls.

[Rumor]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

I'd like to think I'm sensible.

As such, my full real name is only in two place on the 'net. One is my bank and the other is a PDF document which you wouldn't associate with me anyway (you wouldn't know the name from Adam).

Uncle Doofy Boobiemaster Chickmagnet?

[Dakarʒ]

I think your reservations are reasonable. But I also agree about perception regarding the starman handle. I guess you have to weigh how seriously you take the podcasting vs. your concern for personal privacy/safety

[starman]

When Molly gave me the friends request on Facebook, I didn't know what name to use. I wound up using Starman. Meh. It worked and she knows who I am. However, then you start getting into adding other people, a nickname sounds silly.

So then I thought that maybe I'll use a real first name but make up a phony last name. At least it'll keep people from finding me.

[Dakarʒ]

"John Starman"

Sounds like a bad 80s tv show.

[starman]

Exactly. I thought of doing something like that but it just sounds stupid.

[Dakarʒ]

Do you have to put a last name? Just a first name seems friendly enough to me.

[starman]

You do. I have seen people use just the first initial of their last name but that seems like a copout.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Rumor 

Uncle Doofy Boobiemaster Chickmagnet?

Oh bloody hell don't tell everyone.

Anyways, Starman... ...You don't have to use a "handle", you can use a proper name. Pick your favourite TV show and use a first name from one character and surname from another (eg. Ross Tribiani).

[macintologist]

A lot of people on facebook put their real first name and last name initial

like

Daniel K for example. It works

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by starman 

I already get stupid emails from listeners (what's the best pet? what's the best class? is buying gold legal? blah blah blah). I don't need phone calls.

Ouch, definitely don't let people have your phone number. I won't even give that out to most people I know personally. They have to be certified not annoying first.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

I sure do. I put only limited pictures and info on facebook and my sister had to put a different last name for her MSN and facebook because too many guys were stalking her.


Heck I don't even have my sig on her link to my site anymore. To many weirdoes.

[BRussell]

Don't know about podcasters and bloggers and such, but there are quite a lot of people who are expected to have web sites with professional and personal information because of their work.

[Aeternus]

You know, I've had no problems sharing personal information with people ANYWHERE on the internet, except this forum. Certain members here feel entitled to harass me, and use my personal information in a derogatory matter. Also, every person who's done this has been extremely religious (Christian). Coincidence? I think not.

So, having had my experience at MacNN, I would advise you NOT to put to much info out there, because there are always lunatics ready to use it against you in the name of their lord.

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

I sure do. I put only limited pictures and info on facebook and my sister had to put a different last name for her MSN and facebook because too many guys were stalking her.


Heck I don't even have my sig on her link to my site anymore. To many weirdoes.

Is your sister a porn star or something? Seriously.

[starman]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

You know, I've had no problems sharing personal information with people ANYWHERE on the internet, except this forum. Certain members here feel entitled to harass me, and use my personal information in a derogatory matter. Also, every person who's done this has been extremely religious (Christian). Coincidence? I think not.

So, having had my experience at MacNN, I would advise you NOT to put to much info out there, because there are always lunatics ready to use it against you in the name of their lord.

Well, unless throngs of videogame and HDTV advocates are going to come visit, I don't have to worry about that.

And yes, his sister's cute (and can probably kick your ass).

[Aeternus]

I didn't ask if she was cute. I asked if she does porn. Because she has a website, and creepy guys stalk her. To me that sounds like a webcam site.

[osiris]

I am a rumor. I don't exist. Anonymity is my name, silence my native tongue.
I am not part of the System, I am above it. Over it. Beyond it.
I am "him", I am "he". I am a Man in Black.

[Railroader]

There are some very sick people on here. I post NO personal info at all anymore. I won't even post what my job is here. Its sad that people do those things, but they are still here unfortunately.

[rickey939]

Yes.

[Big Mac]

Seriously, Railroader?

I use my real name for important accounts and important contacts. Otherwise you'll get a nickname from me. Of course, it's far from the end of the world if you give out your real name (like Amazon's review system started doing a while back). You give your name out to complete strangers IRL all the time, so why fear those on the Internet who may have it? It's not a good idea to link your real name to sensitive details like your home address or phone number, but other than that stop worrying about boogeymen waiting to jump across the intertubes to get you.

[alligator]

Once it is out there, you can't take it back. Google has a memory like you wouldn't expect. My advice, just don't do it. 10 years from now you will appreciate the decision.

[Aeternus]

Maybe he's worried because he feels guilty about how he's treated other people. I dunno.

[starman]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

Maybe he's worried because he feels guilty about how he's treated other people. I dunno.

WTF? Now I understand why people dislike you.

[ort888]

I'm with you Starman. I don't put anything out there.

On other forums I post at I've seen all sorts of crazy stuff go down with people getting stalked and harassed. Maybe I'm just a private person, but I really don't want that much of me out there.

[starman]

But then how do well-known people handle it?

[Big Mac]

Originally Posted by starman 

But then how do well-known people handle it?

They guard the important details and dispatch their lawyers when there are breaches of their privacy, aside from photographers who seem to get away with stalking them.

[moonmonkey]

Facebook is good because you have to approve people before they access your info, there is no point using a fake name because friends won't know who you are and it will be impossible for them to find you.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by starman 

But then how do well-known people handle it?

Like this:

[moonmonkey]

She is a rotten.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

I didn't ask if she was cute. I asked if she does porn. Because she has a website, and creepy guys stalk her. To me that sounds like a webcam site.

I didn't say anything about creepy guys or her having a website especially a porn one. Do you think all girls who are on the net must have a porn site? Is that what your wife does or something?

I said her facebook and she put a different last name for that and MSN.

You forget to take your A.D.D medication today or something? Seriously.

[dcmacdaddy]

No, I wouldn't put too much personal information on the Internet. My real name and work e-mail address are on the Internet from years ago when I was a member of a technology advocacy group associated with my line of work. That was 8 years ago and I *still* get spammed at work because of it.


(Although my agency just moved to Postini for spam-filtering--the company was bought by Google about two weeks ago--and it has been terrific. Every morning at 7:0AM I get a spam receipt e-mail from the Postini system. If I see something on there that is legitimate I click a link, it gets delivered, and the sender is added to our central white list. Works like a charm and has made spam all but disappear from my work e-mail Inbox.)

[red rocket]

About three years ago, on a completely different forum, one populated by psychos, ex‑cons, perverts, rapists and people very interested in bomb‑making and extreme violence, somebody started one of these ‘make a story with these pictures’ competition threads. Amongst pictures of gore, terrorists and various maniacs, it included a family photo of another MacNN member. After twenty minutes of following links and tying bits of information together, somebody had all the personal information they could have asked for on the guy, and massive opportunities to fụck around with him and his family. Even though that site is long dead, its participants remain alive, and just because that person was a little too careless with his personal information on the web, he'll never be entirely sure that somebody isn't going to come after him for some obscure reason, maybe next year, maybe next month, maybe they're already on their way.

Scared yet?

[Chuckit]

It's called living in the world. Fact is, you're far more likely to be ****ed with by somebody local than somebody who has to travel halfway across the world, no matter how crazy the latter may be. People are harmed and killed almost constantly, and pretty close to none of it has the slightest thing to do with the Internet.

This is yet another one of those cases where people need to put things in perspective. It's like this widespread fear of terrorists. Dying because of a terrorist is ridiculously unlikely compared to a heart attack, cancer or car accident, yet people fear terrorists far more than they give thought to what they're eating, how they're driving or what awful **** is getting pumped into the air. Terrorists and Internet psychos just sound so much more dramatic than the real dangers in our lives.

Like I said, there's no point in revealing a lot of unnecessary information — the danger isn't zero — but I don't think trying to become a hermit is a good approach either. I accept the risks inherent in driving and try not to increase them more than I have to, and ditto for interacting with people (both on the Internet and off).

[Mastrap]

I am pretty open with personal information online. By 'personal information' I mean anything that you could find out anyway by searching the phone book and other public records.

My job is fairly high profile within my industry, so I can forget about anonymity there. My flickr account uses my real name, any family pics are tagged for family only. My facebook account uses my real name, otherwise what's the point? I use my real name in several other forums, but then I know most of the members there offline and nobody would ever say anything online they weren't prepared to say to your face.

So far I have neither been stalked nor identity thefted.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

I didn't ask if she was cute. I asked if she does porn. Because she has a website, and creepy guys stalk her. To me that sounds like a webcam site.

That (and your previous comment) was extremely crude. Stalking people because of their web presence is a serious problem, and not just for people with commercial sites. Why would "porn star" be the first thing you think of (or at least the first thing you post) when you see someone talking about a female being stalked?

This is a huge problem for under-supervised kids because in their teens, most kids are really trusting and don't think about the possible consequences of people they don't know getting hold of their personal information. I am actually concerned about those "Jessica-Cheerleader-Central High" stickers you see on their moms' SUVs and minivans. That gives the "creepy guys" way too much information to start with, and just following that vehicle home gives them an address. THAT is creepy.

I have female classmates who have significantly reduced the amount of personal info available on their Facebook and MySpace pages because of a number of incidents of cyberstalking. Having really personal information like a phone number or address is just asking for trouble.

As for my own personal exposure online, my handle has been out there since 1993 or so, so the damage from this one specifically is done. And I get a lot of spam on a couple of email accounts that include that handle, but I filter it so it's not so bad. But private and personal stuff goes through other accounts so that isn't such a problem. I also have a BUNCH of different accounts, so I can keep things compartmentalized. If I get spam through one account, I can do a few things about it, including backtrack and see where the address got harvested.

But really personal info about me isn't readily available online, and I intend to keep it that way.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

You forget to take your A.D.D medication today or something? Seriously.

As one should not make fun of Gays for something they are born with. One shouldn't make fun of people stricken with ADD.

If you wanted to attack Rob for his actions, that is one thing. But you attacked him for something he has no control over.

When cornered it's always best to make fun of what you think will hurt that person's feeling I guess.

I guess he could reply to you to and say "go suck a .... you ......" would be equally as offensive as what you said.

As far as the topic goes, no I don't put personal info (well not a lot anyhow) on the web. It would be different if some people would stop looking to use something against someone they don't like because of info known about them. The post above is a good example.

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by red rocket 

About three years ago, on a completely different forum, one populated by psychos, ex‑cons, perverts, rapists and people very interested in bomb‑making and extreme violence, somebody started one of these ‘make a story with these pictures’ competition threads. Amongst pictures of gore, terrorists and various maniacs, it included a family photo of another MacNN member. After twenty minutes of following links and tying bits of information together, somebody had all the personal information they could have asked for on the guy, and massive opportunities to fụck around with him and his family. Even though that site is long dead, its participants remain alive, and just because that person was a little too careless with his personal information on the web, he'll never be entirely sure that somebody isn't going to come after him for some obscure reason, maybe next year, maybe next month, maybe they're already on their way.

Scared yet?

Who was it? Me?

[Aeternus]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

I didn't say anything about creepy guys or her having a website especially a porn one. Do you think all girls who are on the net must have a porn site? Is that what your wife does or something?

I said her facebook and she put a different last name for that and MSN.

You forget to take your A.D.D medication today or something? Seriously.

No, and no. It's just the way you worded it, like her 'site' (anonymously), not her "commercial site where she sells plastic cups" or something, and then mentioned having MULTIPLE incidents of creepy guys stalking her. That to me, sounds like she had a webcam site. Why? Because millions of women have sites without attracting creepy stalker guys.

[analogue SPRINKLES]

Originally Posted by Aeternus 

It's just the way you worded it, like her 'site' (anonymously), not her "commercial site where she sells plastic cups" or something, and then mentioned having MULTIPLE incidents of creepy guys stalking her.

"my sister had to put a different last name for her MSN and facebook because too many guys were stalking her."

How you got "her site", webcams and creepy guys from that is beyond me.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by analogue SPRINKLES 

"my sister had to put a different last name for her MSN and facebook because too many guys were stalking her."

How you got "her site", webcams and creepy guys from that is beyond me.

What's that you say? She has noodz? E-mail pls!

[Dork.]

We had a bit of a freaky scare a while back: my wife puts pictures of our daughter up all the time on her blog, and someone scraped some pictures off one of the blog archive pages, threw away pictures with any other people on them, uploaded them to a photobucket account, and started posting to MySpace and teen mother forums claiming that the baby in the picture was hers. Some of the administrators on the forums got suspicious of her story, did some Google Image searching, and found my wife's blog, and let us know about it.

We did some investigation of our own, and found that the name the girl was using matched the name of a high-school teacher in California. The most likely scenario was that one of her students was playing a little prank on her, and we judged there was probably no reason to alert the police or get suspicious of a stalker.

We still wanted the pictures removed, however. My wife knows a few lawyers, and we were suprised by how many of them were shocked that my wife provided anything personal online, at all, and advised her to stop blogging entirely. They were entirely uninterested in actually helping us get the pictures removed, and insisted that since we put the pictures in a public place, we effectively lost all right to control how they were used. (And these people are supposedly IP lawyers, which might explain why IP litigation is so screwed up in this country.)

(For the record, we simply contacted Photobucket and all the sites that we found linking to the Photobucket account, indicated that the user was using our copyrighted images without our permission, included links to the source material on my wife's blog (and links to archive.org for good measure), and asked that the offending information be removed. They all complied, no lawyers needed.)

After that, my wife tried password protecting some of the pictures on her site, but it never worked right and most of her blog readers were never able to read the posts. Eventually, we just gave up on protecting those pictures. When you think about it, the fact that the pictures were public, and that Google was able to index them, was in our favor: the other site administrators were able to find us easily. And I think my generation is much more agreeable to having information like pictures online than the older generation (like the lawyers).

We understand that all sorts of information about us is available online, if you know where to look, and we accept that. She uses our real names on her site, and although we don't really have any other identifying info on the site (we use GoDaddy's privacy feature so our address doesn't show up in the WHOIS database), we know that a really determined person could still find where we live. Then again, a really determined person could follow us home from the mall and find where we live. How paranoid must we be?

[Kevin]

Dang Dork.. I bet that was a mind screwer. :/

[andi*pandi]

that's actually very common on mommy boards. Their version of a troll is to join an "expecting" forum, say they are having twins, and post ultrasounds of someone else's babies, and then carry the ruse all the way to the "born in [month]" boards. Luckily the communities catch them, usually by either a) recognizing the photoshopped out names, or b) another member recognizes their own photos. Some people want a baby so badly, or to experience pregnancy second-hand, that they will pretend anything. Scary.

I password protect my family photo albums, but will post individual pix to my blog or here. I debated about how personal to post on flickr, but nothing on flickr links back to my real email/name etc. The only photo on flickr I've made friends-only is one of my niece swimming that was getting an unusual amount of views.

oh, and merely by posting here we have all compromised our identities.

[Dork.]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

oh, and merely by posting here we have all compromised our identities.

Yup, now you all know that I'm a Dork.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Dork. 

We still wanted the pictures removed, however. My wife knows a few lawyers, and we were suprised by how many of them were shocked that my wife provided anything personal online, at all, and advised her to stop blogging entirely. They were entirely uninterested in actually helping us get the pictures removed, and insisted that since we put the pictures in a public place, we effectively lost all right to control how they were used. (And these people are supposedly IP lawyers, which might explain why IP litigation is so screwed up in this country.)

Oh, wow. IP lawyers from 1980? They don't seem to be hip to the Internets at all.