Internet Security

[sera300]

Many here will read this and think it's off the wall but it's not. I have noticed lately many are posting their photos using Myspace.

To keep yourselves safe please do not post information about yourself which contains personal info such as your hometown, High School or College information. Also many put various IM contacts. These are methods which make you traceable and track-able. It's much like giving someone you met online your cell phone number; as soon as you give your cell phone out, someone can find your last name in about 15 minutes for about $15.00 and your mailing address and this is not through the carrier. This info can then be put into a public GPS data bank and someone can trace you to your home & obtain areal views of exactly where you live. I am not speaking about just on this site but use the same caution on any websites, please.

During a course, Information Technology for the Public Sector; I found how traceable any single individual is with relatively little information. This is a public forum and anyone can view your information. Just realize when you give detailed information you can be found. There are delusional people, there are predators, so please be careful in how much you disclose. Especially ladies (but not limited to); people read your posts, see your photo, your IM address, myspace picture & personal info, and it can spark an unwanted individuals interest in you.

As an alternative, set up a separate yahoo address which you may not regularly use upload a photo to the site and use this instead. Your IP address cannot be tracked this way and it will keep your information personal. Once stalked, it changes your outlook on life. Please take this into consideration for your own safety.