The following question was posted by Dick J today:
“I have been visiting the FreeSpeak site recently, and I’ve posted a few comments there. I have since decided to discontinue my participation, but that’s another story. However, those folks seem almost universally in favor of anonymous blogging. I’m sure their reasons run the gamut of those outlined by Sandra, but many seem genuinely concerned about identity theft issues. I’m not an Internet security expert by any means, and these two blogs are the first I’ve ever participated in, so I’m wondering how much, if any, additional information someone can glean form the use of one’s real name on these sites. I think in any case the webmaster has access to the URL and can perform a lookup on the individual, so we all probably relinquish some privacy just by participating (?)”
On my lunch hour I started to do some research and found the following information about what NOT to do:
- Do not use your full name. An online nickname (cyber handle) is preferred.
- Do not post financial information.
- Do not post your phone number or address.
- Do not post your Social Security Number.
- Do not post pictures that you wouldn’t want your friends or the whole world to see.
- Do not post employment information.
- Do not post your personal email address.
- Do not post your drivers license information.
- Do not let online buddies know what events that you will be attending and don’t provide any locations.
- Do not post any of the above information on a personal web site.
- Do not enter a web site or blog whose origins you are not certain about.
Because of the above I recommend that you create an online handle (DarkNite, CyberGal etc) for Cove Connections unless you are comfortable using your existing username. None of the web sites that I visited indicated that the username ‘Anonymous’ is necessary when fighting identity theft.
When you get a chance take a look at Federal Trade Commissions Identity Theft Web Site
Tomorrow we will discuss what you can do to protect your identity on a day to day basis.
Comments, suggestions, information and emails are most welcome.
Sandra
My preceding statement went to blog without my pressing the “Submit Comment” button. My intent had been to further add that as previously stated, it does not matter at all to me what my opinion or your opinion on any issue may be. The only thing that really matters is that which is correct, true and right.
Mr. Morsette, you have every right to have or make any response you choose to my comments. You have the right to quote me out of context and liberally misconstrue my meanings as you just did. I have asked no rhetorical questions of which I am aware.
People using the internet should Google, “internet usage good practices” in my opinion, especially if you use nonsecure sites such as this one and most others.
I have to get back to the Olympic women’s synchronized swimming. If there is anything I admire it is athleticism!
Mr. Morsette, I thought that the article that Sandra had published that these comments are attached to had established that the names were not a safe practice. I thought others who had been so advised would benefit from a retraction of their previous advice. I asked no apologies to me personally but the people who might have been and may still be adversely affected by poor counsel.
My response to Sandra were in direct response to her statement that they had “owned up” to their mistakes and had “made amends”.
Grandma sez: Goading sums it up!
Well, now that I tried nicie nice I reread my earlier comment and would like anyone to show me where I declined Ron the right to his opinions. I said he wanted everyone to respect HIS opinions while he respects no one elses.
From your first post on this string “I have repeatedly warned against divulging correct names as well as other information on more than one occasion. Others kept getting on their soap boxes and advising everyone to use their correct names. Those individuals should at least be gracious enough to admit they were very wrong. I hope people do not suffer adversely from following their ill advised advice.” You take the position that only YOUR opinion is the only one that counts and those who don’t agree are supposed to apologize to you for being so wrong.
Your comments in #7 were condescending and insulting: “Yet when you are confronted with the facts and advisories of your own findings you refuse to voice a simple, sorry folks I gave you poor advice earlier. Also you invite me to go elsewhere if I insist upon being the voice of sanity.” I didn’t read that into Sandra’s reply.
Another, “I must have missed the parts where you tried to answer my questions and owned up to the mistakes, couldn’t find them anywhere.” was simply uncalled for. You assume Sandra’s OPINION was that there were no mistakes, and you asked no questions – other than retorical ones.
While I’m at it, Grandma, I consider Ron’s blogs to be much more insulting than my short response, but I don’t see any comment from you about that other than he is being a gentleman. And Dave, I’m dissappointed that you read into my comment that Ron didn’t have a right to his opinions. But I also have the right to ignore him.
Now I’m done and will not be goaded again.
I apologize for my earlier blog. Maybe I was having a bad hair day.
Ron,
My sentiments exactly! Thank God for Google! They are the company that is enabling the SpanishCoveFreeSpeak blog site!
Yep! Thank God for Google! Couldn’t resist!!!
Sally, I frequently wish that I had been. I think I would have been much better at dealing with the technologies of that time than those of our own time. If I have offended you or anyone else by my comments, I sincerely apologize.
When I make a comment it is because I feel an incumbent obligation to do so. I do not feel that because it is my opinion it is right or true or correct any more than it would be because any other person expressed their opinion.
A thing is only right or true or correct because it actually is so. That needs to be determined beyond the merely subjective. That is why I frequently advise people to research matters for themselves. Thank God for Google.
Sally, you are very well preserved to have been there. But, that is only my opinion.
And some days, Ron, I feel that I was there.
Mr. Morsettte, you are certainly entitled to your opinions as am I. I have insulted no one and I have made no “negative” comments of which I am aware. If you choose to ignore me that is certainly your right.
If I see you or anyone providing what I feel to be both inappropriate and dangerous advice and counsel to myself and others on this site I will offer my opinion to the contrary. I have and will continue to advise individuals to research the matter for themselves. If you find that offensive so be it.
Thank you Grandma and Dave for your comments in my behalf. As you said, Dave I may not always agree with your opinions but I will always defend your right to express them. As I recall an individual involved in the founding of our nation took as similar position more than two hundred years ago.
Dale, Ron has not only a right, but an obligation to give his opinions, just as you or I do. Personally, I value his input, although many times I do not agree with his thinking. I do not think you or anyone should question his motives. This is not the first time you and I have disagreed, nor will it be the last I am sure, however I know that I respect your opinions (even the ones which are wrong-just kidding) and you have often shown you value mine. Don’t we all think our opinions are the only right ones? Please reconsider your desire to ignore Ron’s and everyone else caring enough to take the time to post on this, or any other Blog. I hope this does not upset you to much—but it comes from my heart
Now Dale,
BAM! POW! Where did that left hook come from, out of no where? Dale, do you need a Happy Camper Pill?
Looked like Ron and Sandra were getting along just fine! Where did all that hostility come from?
Ron has a right to his opinion, just like you do! Take a look in the mirror! I mean really! Atleast Ron is being a gentleman and not reducing himself to throwing sand in the sandbox. Please, aren’t you supposed to be a Finance Director for the Board? Aren’t they supposed to represent the community in a dignified manner?
Straighten up now! Would your Mother be proud of you for making those comments?
Grandma
Ron, I’m just tired of your negative comments. Your comments reflect that everyone should respect YOUR opinions, while you respect no one elses. You seem to like to try to insult people into responses and continuing a useless string. I personally am going to ignore you and request others to do the same.
Likewise Ron.
Sandra, I must assume then that your point was that you had not actually answered my questions or owned up to your past mistakes. That being the case I compliment your graciousness in this matter.
You’ve made my point!
Ron,
Message for you at Free Speak!
Sandra, as I stated you and others voiced opinions which were completely at odds with good guidelines for internet procedures such as those you offerred in this article. Yet when you are confronted with the facts and advisories of your own findings you refuse to voice a simple, sorry folks I gave you poor advice earlier. Also you invite me to go elsewhere if I insist upon being the voice of sanity.
The FreeSpeak site is practicing good internet procedures and as a fringe benefit by many of them using their anonymous option they avoid the sort ot intolerance and abuse you just voiced against me. Anonymity just isn’t an issue for me since I seek valid information and opinions, not a personalty and ego contest.I must have missed the parts where you tried to answer my questions and owned up to the mistakes, couldn’t find them anywhere.
You and the others should Google “data mining identity theft” since it cannot be addressed in a brief blog format. The nearly 300,000 hits you get should give you some idea of the scope of the problem.
Hi Everyone,
The article about ‘Protecting Your Identity’ is taking a little more time to put together (lots of information) and I’ll be posting it in the next day or two.
Thanks, Sandra
Ron, You continue to criticize and complain about Cove Connections and we try to provide answers to your questions but they are never quite good enough.
I’ve visited lots of different blogs over the years and very few experience the type of scrutiny / interrogation that we have been receiving from you lately.
If you want to focus on a blog maybe it should be the SpanishCoveFreespeak web site. The owner / webmaster is anonymous. Spanish Cove residents are visiting their web site on a daily basis and don’t have a clue to who he or she is. Maybe they are not from Spanish Cove and that’s a REAL concern. If the owner / webmaster doesn’t have anything to hide why is / she he hiding?
I admit the CC crew isn’t perfect, we make mistakes, own up to them and try to make amends. We also put in a lot of hours, at no charge, to provide timely, accurate information about Spanish Cove and other matters. Fortunately, most visitors offer to help, provide support and cheer us on which we really appreciate.
You seem to know a lot about data mining. Why don’t you consider writing an article about it so thatl CC visitors can learn more?
I, with sublety and courteous methods, attempted to warn you and everyone else for weeks. No one paid any attention. Strange, isn’t it? I heard speeches about why we should not be afraid to use our real names… even stranger.
Well, I just went to FreeSpeak and got a Phishing warning at their site. Go figure. I guess we’re all in the same boat.
This is completely contradictory to advice and opinions on related matters in the last two or so weeks. I have repeatedly warned against divulging correct names as well as other information on more than one occasion. Others kept getting on their soap boxes and advising everyone to use their correct names. Those individuals should at least be gracious enough to admit they were very wrong. I hope people do not suffer adversely from following their ill advised advice.
People should research the danger they are exposed to from data mining methodologies especially.
Thanks, Sandra! I’ll take your advice to heart. Looking forward to more.