Uncomfortable Google discovery

Everybody knows the vastness of the internet provides us with myraids of information by the Gig full. Everyone also knows, or should know, that nothing on the internet is private. I'll make a confession, and I make no bones about it, I "Google" just about everyone I come across whom I find an interesting person. Not only do I "Google" people, I use my social networking sites to find as much information as I can about them such as geographical information, groups for places of employment, local pubs they may frequent and more. (I just now realize how scary I appear to be.)

I challenge you to test your own internet identity security. Google yourself. But here's the kicker. Imagine you've never met yourself and you only have your EpicFU name to go on. I was amazed at how much information I found about me and it's scary to think that anyone can see all that information.

For example, I go by "Grendel" here on EpicFU.com, I'm part of the FUnetics Fanatics group where, I assume, most members took the pledge. Through there, you can find my YouTube account where my name is "grendel2317". So I searched for that name and much more came up. From there you can link to even more info, it becomes addicting.

Finally, considering what information is available, how easy would it be to assume another identity?

Wow, I sound really creepy. We'll see who responds.

P.S. Don't worry, I've probably already Google'd you, too.

Tags: information, internet, privacy, search, security

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Derek on April 2, 2008 at 12:08pm: Yeah. Before MIX and Jetset, I had NO internet presence - on purpose. But, I realize that joining Jetset/MIX would make me available to search engines.

I DID delete my Myspace account, however...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron C on April 4, 2008 at 8:29am: really

Cool.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by CrazyCheshireCat on April 2, 2008 at 1:23pm: I couldn't find too terribly much on myself. Random discussions that don't have anything to do with my personal life or where I live.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Flamekebab on April 2, 2008 at 1:57pm: Being the ego-centric maniac that I am, I wonder if you've googled me and what you've found. Do tell.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Vladimir on April 2, 2008 at 3:20pm: I wasn't so successful at searching (I am not so good haxxor), so I kinda don't worry much. If you haven't seen it yourself, it's not as scarry as others are telling. :)))

The "no secrets" policy is something I like, to be honest. Because even over the internet, you would be carefull about your manners and actions towards other "humans". If you insult someone, next day he may be knocking on your door.... LOL; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Flamekebab on April 3, 2008 at 4:53am: I tend to subscribe to the "no secrets" policy, as you put it. I expect most of what I write to be seen by others at some point and possibly used against me. I don't lie about who I am or where I live. I don't tend to give out my address in Edinburgh, but I do happily give out my address in Wales. It's my home but it's also our business HQ, so it's hardly a secret!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by I'm sitting in the dark playing with scotch tape. on April 2, 2008 at 4:17pm: when i google my name all i get are references to beanie babies; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Grendel on April 2, 2008 at 10:20pm: I guess it would also depend on how you search. A few people have MySpace accounts and Facebook accounts. You can look at the source code of the Funetics.org pledge videos and find YouTube and Vimeo accounts that may contain your full name or part of it, if you use aliases.

You can search other social networking sites for THAT username or even Google IP addresses from chat sessions stored on IRC servers. IP addresses give tips to location across the globe. Eventually, you can find phone numbers from people with an owned domain name and with reverse lookup, home addresses ... it's nuts!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LVS on April 2, 2008 at 11:03pm: Yep if you are cluey enough you can figure out what my real name is (I'm guessing you might know it then Grendel). But my internet footprint is pretty small thankfully.

Its pretty creepy when you hear stories of people who have had their identity 'stolen' online. I had my facebook page hacked and all of my friends were bombarded with mobile phone ads (I now change my password regularly).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dale on April 2, 2008 at 11:54pm: I have a dot com, a facebook, a myspace and a livejournal from which i'm guessing most people could workout where i live and how old i am. Personally Im not that worried. failing that i'm 6'2' and built like an armored car.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Grendel on April 3, 2008 at 7:41am: I suppose if you have a business and you're self promoting, having all that identity out there is a good thing, or vise versa, you may realize how little you've accomplished.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Richa on April 3, 2008 at 12:43pm: When I google myself, I found some stuff I had no idea was on the internet. I'm not really worried about my facebook account cos I'll be leaving this town soon. =P As for myspace, I have no personal information on there. But yeah, this really made me realize just how much is out there on the internet for anyone's taking.; ▶ Reply to This