Very interesting,especially for Facebook fans!

http://www.pcworld.com/article/195270/xxx.html

Re: On line privacy
 

Thanks for the link Dude.

I have never Googled my own name before and was quite happy to find no trace of me on the net. My internet personas though, now they are a different matter. It's quite scary seeing how many times I crop up in my various guises.

I guess I shall have to do a bit of pruning.

Re: On line privacy
 

It can be surprising. I ran a quick check on a couple of people from here. I now know the following.
Paul M's name, company address, job title, location, age, photo, What company he works for, what the company does, company director name, probable home address and phone number.

Frank's current location, address, his father's name and phone number.

This took all of 2 minutes. I will not publish details as that would be unethical, but the amount of information that can be gleaned is incredible.

I also ran a check one someone I know, he is involved in 'security' I found his home address, wife's name, child's name, and a reasonable amount more information.

The most sophisticated search system I used to perform these lookups was google. (Albeit I have a little more knowledge than some when it comes to phrasing the search) but still.

Re: On line privacy
 

Thats frightening. How is all that info going on there.

Re: On line privacy
 

Part of what I do involves information gathering and collating, so I have more insight on how to get the information. A lot of people aren't careful about the information they impart on the internet. This can make tasks such as the above easier.

Social networking sites sometimes have the facility to geolocate the posting location, especially when done from iphones or similar devices with onboard gps. Google Buzz is another such facility. Footprints are found easily with modern search techniques and common sense follows. For example - if a tweet is posted from a location at 4am, odds are it is a home location, especially if other tweets have been made from the same location at similar times over several days (Especially if the location is not in a business area) Failing which if a number and address shows up for someone over 25 with the correct initial near to that location, then odds are it may be the individual, especially with unusual surnames where there are no other instances found.

Suggestions - if you tweet, don't let it geolocate you, if you have a landline, go ex directory. If you buy domains for commercial use, use a mailing address, for personal use - opt out of the whois. etc etc. And above all be careful about what personal information you share in a public forum. Use pseudonyms in public, don't give out your surname if you can avoid doing so. Especially on unusual surnames.

Re: On line privacy
 

Thanks so much for this info. I cant believe it can be so easy to get so much info about people :(

Re: On line privacy
 

Internet may help you to know everything about all people. Evan just he doesn't use Internet. His friends may talk about him on chats/forums.

Re: On line privacy
 

I should be secure. I tend to be quite cautious about what info I give out. On and off line, actually.

What information I do give out is often intentionally vague.

Re: On line privacy
 

What he says.

Re: On line privacy
 

This is exceptionally vague. Only real clue here is English is most likely not this individual's primary language.


This is actually quite intelligible.


Tp be honest the main reason so much is available on Frank and Paul is because their surnames as well as their christian names are in the public domain.

Re: On line privacy
 

Do you work for the government? FBI? :D

Re: On line privacy
 

I got nothing from my real name or user name,that actually pertained to me on Google. Seems I don't exist. :shocked:

I would really like to know how this site gets info on people!!

www.peekyou.com

I have found myself there 7 times so far and its making me VERY ANGRY!! (THANK GOODNESS YOU CAN EDIT THE INFO YOU FIND BY LOGGING IN (I think they only have info on USA people im not sure))

Site like this shouldnt exist!! (MAJOR INVASION OF PRIVACY)

Re: On line privacy
 

Can't find me at all though..at least not under my main nom de plume or my real name.

---------- Post added at 09:23 ---------- Previous post was at 09:22 ----------

Can find me under my CF name though through Google and also my main nom de plume at the BBC

Re: On line privacy
 

The internet is a public medium, if you don't like your details being shared then don't use it or even better form your own little intranet and hide yourself in a dark bedroom for the rest of your life..

Paranoia is very simple to cure, it involves your internet cable in one hand and a pair of wire cutters in the other..

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Re: On line privacy
 

I'm not really bothered as I do give away as little as possible where ever I sign up.I wouldn't even give my gender if it was up to me..but some sites seem to think it's pertinent. I think it's impertinent myself.Same with my ethnic origins.

Re: On line privacy
 

On here like myself you've got your age, rough location and are quite free and open about your employment (past and present)

I really do think that those who hide simple details like that are only truely hiding from themselves and see the internet as a fantasy world where they imagine that they are either 6ft bodybuilders with an IQ of 200+ or ultra dazzling blondes with a doctorate in world peace ;)

It just makes me Nervous Kymmy because my address and everything is on these sites and THATS PRIVATE DATA!!

A few months ago I DIDNT EXIST ONLINE (I mean my name and address) Im not sure how it got out (I DID NOT GIVE IT TO ANY PUBLIC WEBSITE LIKE THAT,THATS FOR SURE!!)

The most i do is maybe send email to legit companies (Kraft food,etc) and it wants your address and sometimes i enter it. COULD THEY SPILL IT ON THE NET?? (You wouldnt think they would do that)

I dunno Matey,i just think the internet is starting to get TOO PERSONAL (These sites getting info and listing it WITHOUT PERMISSION)

I dunno......

Re: On line privacy
 

Don't use it then, turn off your computer, move house, find a nice dark cellar to live in with lots of tinned food and guns and live the american dream :rolleyes:

Re: On line privacy
 

So how do you cope with the post person that delivers you mail then, they have your name and address, and know you exact location? You haven't authorised them to know that information, but the people sending you mail do know that information, are they sharing it with RM without your permission? Freaky!

BTW, are you on the Electoral Register?

Re: On line privacy
 

I'm looking at your work details right now. Phone, fax, email, adress and room number.

Re: On line privacy
 

The scary part is that he is in your office doing this......;)

Heh i doubt anyone over here could live any kind of a dream!! :(