Using your real name on Internet.

[ColinEssex]

In today's climate of strange people and the Internet, is it wise to use your real name as your username? What is worse is that many sites allow you to put in your location too.

Given those two things it is possible to locate someone's address in about fifteen minutes.

Do you have to be incredibly stupid to do it or is it still safe.

Col

 

[Alansidman]

Now I know who sent me those very strange pictures. Is that really you doing those things, Col?

 

[ColinEssex]

Now I know who sent me those very strange pictures. Is that really you doing those things, Col?

I have more pictures I can use unless you send me the agreed payment.

Col

 

[Alansidman]

The check is in the mail

 

[Vassago]

I don't, not on Facebook and not on forums. It's not just about the risk of someone finding out where you live, there are other risks involved as well. Employers or employees searching for you comes to mind. More and more information is available publicly with a click of a mouse than ever before. I'd rather keep what I do as private as possible.

 

[RainLover]

There are some who post their real name and Company name without knowing it.

This is even done by long term members.

 

[Brianwarnock]

This and utter access are the only two public forums I have ever joined, I joined them both within a few months of each other and never thought of using a pseudonym , but now I would never use my full name.

Brian

 

[AnthonyGerrard]

I think its totally fine to use my real name on the internet. However I now use a pseudonym in real life.

 

[Fifty2One]

Professionally I am on the internet with my real name and business contact information including a physical geographic location.
Recreationally I am on the internet as a username with a generic location.

If people do not feel secure with using their real names and locations on the internet, they should not be posting it. If people feel safe on FaceBook or other social media sites by putting all their personal information and photos of their valuables then that is the risk they are willing to take, and with it they will have to also take the results if it is a bad choice.
I personally know some business associates who allowed their mobile phones to broadcast their geographic locations in real time, so collegues and friends could know if they are at the gym, spa, club or a certain restaurant in real time. That was a very convenient mistake that also allowed thieves to leasurely clean out their valuables, as they also had a time frame in which to work in, along with the information that they were not at home.

 

[Adam Caramon]

I would definitely not recommend it.

 

[RainLover]

The biggest NO NO is using your DOB.

If any site needs this then you need to ask yourself why.

Location is something I like to see. It can be difficult when you don't realise that te OP's first language is not English. Their Location can affect Regional settings especially Dates. ChrisO is the expert on that. Then there is simply the time of day. It is 3:30 PM here 5:30 AM England and 12:30 US East Coast.

Again to repeat my earlier warning about information. We have a Member who is not too far from Me here, about 100 miles. I have been able to go onto Google street view to look at his work place. The information that allowed me to do that was contained in some of his posts. And I bet he has no idea how I did it. A Micky Mouse badge for the person who works this one out.

While I am on my soap box I wish people would post what version Windows and Access they are using.

Look at my Signature. It is perfect.

 

[Lambo]

What with all the social sites out there now its pretty easy to track people, quite scary when you actually think about it in depth.