There is a current thread, "Looking back at you", that covers retail stores, and their attempts to find more information about customers through the use of video cameras.
I would like to see a new and broader discussion about Privacy. In particular, to expand on the amount of available information that is available to others, that you may not be aware of.
I think a good way to start, is to do a simple Google search of your own email name (before the @ sign), and then your user name from any website that you have signed in to.
If you don't find yourself on the first page of results, go to "more" pages.
Of course the most common place to see how far your privacy has been co-opted, is to look on facebook. I have never created a page, but used a phony name to sign on and a special email address, that I created to do that, just to see what it was all about. At last count, I have more than 500 people who want to "friend" me, including relatives of people that I hardly know.
With a phone number, using a reverse number look up site, not only can you find the name and address of the person who has that phone, but usually a listing of the nearest neighbors... as well as people who live with you, and and previous addresses and telephone numbers.
With an address, in most cases, a look at Google Earth and Street View, will show your house, and your neighborhood, and maybe your car.
For "free", on several genealogy sites, it's possible to find extensive information on personal history, relations, birth and death information and location of state records.
For about $25 you can order a criminal history and personal information, just using a name.
With an Email address, a persistent person could go to different local banks, and even though they might not be able to guess your password, could sign on, and use the "can't remember your password" to determine if your account is at that bank.
Back to the "username" thing... If you have used the same name on numerous websites, it's easy enough to go to forums or to view information that you might have put on your own website, blogsite, or places that store your uploaded but unsecured info, like Photobucket. Many of these sites hold that information ad infinitum. I just located some websites that I set up in 2000, for a community that I lived in at the time. Lots of information about the residents, activities, and personal kind of stuff. Thought they were long gone.
Even though I graduated college in 1958, I, or anyone else, can find much public information still on the school website... school activities, sports, classmates, fraternity etc. And all from inputting my name.
These are just a very few examples of available information. The bad guys have many more tools to get even more details.
The question ends up with "Do you care?" ... "What's at risk?" and "Can you do anything about it?"
If you've led a perfect life, and have super strong passwords on your personal and financial info... not too much to worry about... Extortionists and Password "spinners" probably won't work that hard to get at your fortune.
On the other hand...
I'd be interested in thoughts on practical ways to make personal privacy more secure. How to avoid letting more cats out of the bag.
I would like to see a new and broader discussion about Privacy. In particular, to expand on the amount of available information that is available to others, that you may not be aware of.
I think a good way to start, is to do a simple Google search of your own email name (before the @ sign), and then your user name from any website that you have signed in to.
If you don't find yourself on the first page of results, go to "more" pages.
Of course the most common place to see how far your privacy has been co-opted, is to look on facebook. I have never created a page, but used a phony name to sign on and a special email address, that I created to do that, just to see what it was all about. At last count, I have more than 500 people who want to "friend" me, including relatives of people that I hardly know.
With a phone number, using a reverse number look up site, not only can you find the name and address of the person who has that phone, but usually a listing of the nearest neighbors... as well as people who live with you, and and previous addresses and telephone numbers.
With an address, in most cases, a look at Google Earth and Street View, will show your house, and your neighborhood, and maybe your car.
For "free", on several genealogy sites, it's possible to find extensive information on personal history, relations, birth and death information and location of state records.
For about $25 you can order a criminal history and personal information, just using a name.
With an Email address, a persistent person could go to different local banks, and even though they might not be able to guess your password, could sign on, and use the "can't remember your password" to determine if your account is at that bank.
Back to the "username" thing... If you have used the same name on numerous websites, it's easy enough to go to forums or to view information that you might have put on your own website, blogsite, or places that store your uploaded but unsecured info, like Photobucket. Many of these sites hold that information ad infinitum. I just located some websites that I set up in 2000, for a community that I lived in at the time. Lots of information about the residents, activities, and personal kind of stuff. Thought they were long gone.
Even though I graduated college in 1958, I, or anyone else, can find much public information still on the school website... school activities, sports, classmates, fraternity etc. And all from inputting my name.
These are just a very few examples of available information. The bad guys have many more tools to get even more details.
The question ends up with "Do you care?" ... "What's at risk?" and "Can you do anything about it?"
If you've led a perfect life, and have super strong passwords on your personal and financial info... not too much to worry about... Extortionists and Password "spinners" probably won't work that hard to get at your fortune.
On the other hand...
I'd be interested in thoughts on practical ways to make personal privacy more secure. How to avoid letting more cats out of the bag.
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