I think it needs to be said

[-Tracy-]

 I know that we're a close knit community and we like to share our ups and downs with each other, but I've been thinking a lot about the information I've been watching everyone share recently and I'm concerned.

I'm not saying that anyone here would do something with it, but the internet is not just our MB and putting out a lot of your personal information.....might not be such a good idea.

I *try* to keep the personal info I put out there into cyberspace to a minimum. Not just for myself, but to protect my kids. Not saying I never have, but I try hard not to.

Maybe I'm the only one bothered by this, but I just wanted to put out a PSA for you guys, 'cuz I care. Please be careful.

[jiffy]

 Yes, you are absolutely right.    All the little details of info that are shared, can be easily pieced together into an identifiable factor, and if someone wanted to --- can trace.      It's really too bad, but you certainly have to be very aware of protecting yourself.      This is a great community but we do need to be very cautious and aware, for sure.    Thanks for mentioning this.

[craftyfool]

I totally agree!!!  This is an open enrollment MB.  Anyone can create a userid and read what we post.  And we wouldn't even know it. 

Thanks Tracy for the reminder.  I think we get comfortable and lulled into a false sense of security that the only ones who see our posts are those we want.

[bigsmartass]

 Yep, that's a good reminder! 

[Queen Mum]

 Yep - something seems a bit off lately

[MLee]

 Tracy, I cannot believe you posted this. I went to bed thinking about this last night!! There has been so much very intimate, very detailed stuff shared lately that, if desired, a lot could be constructed about certain lives very easily. I was actually going to post the very same thing when I read your message so THANK YOU for the PSA!!

A year and half ago I became very aware of how easily people can go back and find anything and everything about you just with google and your name. We leave so much of our personal lives on SBing boards and I ended up with a stalker who was not very nice at all. They weren't a thief but a very nasty person. So please be careful. Not everyone on SBing MBs are who or what they seem, even those that you *think* are your online friends. You really don't know anything about them at all.

[asset]

 I was thinkin' the same thing.

[-Tracy-]

 Well I'm glad I'm not the only one who's thinking this way. It's been bothering me, and I just wanted to remind everyone to be careful.

ETA: M'Lee I'm sorry that happened to you.

[BeatrizS]

 A year and half ago I became very aware of how easily people can go back and find anything and everything about you just with google and your name. We leave so much of our personal lives on SBing boards and I ended up with a stalker who was not very nice at all. They weren't a thief but a very nasty person. So please be careful. Not everyone on SBing MBs are who or what they seem, even those that you *think* are your online friends. You really don't know anything about them at all.

Very scary!

Tracy, very well said!  Speaking only for myself of course, Sometimes its just such a routine answering threads that You really dont think about how PUBLIC the answer you post really is!  Thanks for the reminder of how very careful we must be in this day and age!

[Monet06]

 I have never been a victim of any of thing negative from a board but it's exactly why I don't post much anywhere but one place and they're not alot of us on that board at all. 

[SBcrazee]

 Good reminder Tracy. I tend to be cautious most of the time.

[Koiwey]

 You just need to use your head about things. All will be well.

[DN in MN]

Awesome reminder... Also, do a search on yourself occasionally so you know what is out there. I was surprised what I found on myself

[handerful]

 

Or make things up.  Its hard to put things together if nothing you say is true!  lol

Just kidding.  But the warning is well timed.   This board is open for anyone to check out.  Be smart. 

[sarahwhithers]

 Awe Tracy, I thought you liked hearing what colour my undies are. haha! Doesn't everyone want to know that??

But I do agree, I tend to stay away from things that are too personal. Once and awhile it's nice to get stuff off your chest though!

[Janell]

 Do you know what is freaky.... I just googled my name to see what I could come up with and what's freaky is that there are a ton of people with my same name.  One of them was a probation officer who got in some deep trouble with the law.  What if people google that and think it is me???  I'm not an outlaw really!

[Janell]

 Oh and there are a couple people on facebook with my same name....totally not me though!

[Judes]

 I agree.  I was thinking:  Who needs to know my middle name and where I went to high school?  Use your heads, people.

[-Tracy-]

 OMG J!!   ROFL!!!  I wasn't sure if you noticed mine.


I googled myself and found people's outside of ACOT who used my templates. That was cool.


I also adjusted my Facebook settings for waaaay more privacy than what they default to.

[Koiwey]

 I agree.  I was thinking:  Who needs to know my middle name and where I went to high school?  Use your heads, people.

They were my posts. I was just asking in a friendly way....no need to get rude about anything. You don't have to answer- you have a choice. Why do I start to feel that this is reminiscent of high school bully days? Sad, no need for paranoia- the only thing you have to fear, is fear itself. LOL