Is it possible that people can give out too much information on a site like this?
Some people have given out their first and last names, the towns they live in, and other identifying information, as well as their net worth. I find this a little concerning in today's world. Am I the only one who has these concerns?
Too Much Information?
March 1st, 2007 at 04:45 pm
March 1st, 2007 at 04:47 pm 1172767650
(For the record, my real name is not "Fern.") That is why i feel so free tod disclose my financials, becus i have not revealed my real name nor my hometown, just state.
March 1st, 2007 at 04:54 pm 1172768099
March 1st, 2007 at 05:22 pm 1172769734
March 1st, 2007 at 05:31 pm 1172770315
However, I also think that it really boils down to your personal level of comfort.
March 1st, 2007 at 05:35 pm 1172770504
March 1st, 2007 at 05:35 pm 1172770558
But, like BA said, it is about your own personal comfort level.
March 1st, 2007 at 05:37 pm 1172770640
March 1st, 2007 at 05:57 pm 1172771832
Frankly, I change dates/times/details often if I mention I am going to a particular location or if my family goes out of town. I know I have shared enough if someone was particularly interested and I say I am going to the library one night, I know that is probably TMI, so I tend to switch little details around a lot. I can't say I have been 100% honest about much as a result.
March 1st, 2007 at 06:14 pm 1172772872
like monkeymama i'm not using a 'handle' on the articles i write. i might want to references those in real life someday. with that said, the name i use and go by every day is not my legal given name. nor have i given the exact city i live in just a region. most importantly, i have not revealed address, phone number, or a partial SSN, nor am i listed in the phone book. the combination of the above are typically what leads to stalking/threat/identity theft.
and speaking of identity theft: you want my credit history? take it, it's trash! hey, i'll even trade you! seriously, i'm here b/c i made a lot of stupid mistakes in my past that i'm now trying to take care of. i own a house, i own a car, and i pay stupid interest rates b/c my credit history is junk. in fact, my SS card was stolen (yes i reported it) about 5 years ago and NOTHING showed up on my credit report b/c, well, at the time, no one would give my credit the time of day. if my identity isn't worth stealing when someone already has my credit card, i doubt anyone will steal it based on my blog.
as for things like "we just bought an X" or "i have a new Y" that i post or others post, tell me this: when you buy something new, do you throw the box away outside, on the curb, where anyone can drive by and see it? that alone is likely to make your house a target for a breakin. personally, i'll share with everyone here that i got a nifty new TV but i will also make certain i break the box down and take it to the recycling center personally.
March 1st, 2007 at 07:05 pm 1172775929
March 1st, 2007 at 08:24 pm 1172780650
I have seen many very private people give details that pieced together over time tell much. I just worry about everyone and hope no one is taking great interest in the info, enough to stalk them or anything.
Unfortunately I have seen some pretty bad things play out with people online - I am not very trusting in that regard. But TinaP does bring up a good point about being careful in real life too. It certainly isn't just online, but online people tend to let their guard down a bit more I think. & you open your lives up to that many more unknown people.
March 1st, 2007 at 08:46 pm 1172781971
Most people don't care. Anyone who really cares will be able to find out about you. I have had my privacy invaded in the most brutal way in the past. Nothing to do with the internet though.
Now I just avoid providing certain information. I'm not even going to say what it is. I just don't get into it with people unless there is a reason.
Apathy, the greatest reason most of us have any privacy
March 1st, 2007 at 09:55 pm 1172786111
you know my name is jIM
you know I'm from Ohio because the handle jIM was already taken on this board. OH WELL.
I think I said where I live in a thread or two
I think I've disclosed close to what I have saved up
does not bother me.
March 2nd, 2007 at 02:05 pm 1172844316
March 2nd, 2007 at 03:14 pm 1172848486
I still think that women in general need to be careful online. I've had to deal with people who are stalking online before, and used to be take a little bit of technical skill to track people online, but now, with WWW and Google, things have gotten super easy, and details about your life can be kept essentially forever. Even if haven't been stalked online, you can still be many years from now, and all those details you give out now can come back and haunt you.