Why isn't it good to use your real name when on the Internet?

I would believe that many people judge their personal life inadequate or insatisfying due to any number of reasons. Suuch people revel in imagining themselves up as something totally else,bringing up new characters in them, flushing away the pent up frustration and providing joy untold. A new persona demands a new name . Henc the nicknames.

If you use your name on the Internet, and someone is able to tie it to information in public archives, they could track you down (which is a bad thing if they have ill intentions toward you). It is unadvisable to post any personally identifiable information about yourself on the Internet, because it can be used for things like tracking you down, spamming you, and stealing your identity.

I use my nickname, I never give my real full name, and NEVER my last name. In this day and age it just isn't safe to give out that information. Too many whacko's out there and you never know who they are. Sure, I'll give somebody my name and private email once I know them and trust them, but I don't do that for just anybody. They did a special on the news about those 'myspace' type places, and how easy it is for people to put together information that could lead a dangerous stranger right to your door, or to your bank account. And if they have your birthdate on top of it all, it makes it easy to be a scam victim. I think it pays to be careful, so I just stick with a nickname. I've seen discussions where they ask about your last name. My family is the only one in the US with this particular last name, I'd be crazy to ever mention it, it would be so easy to track me or my family and information. I suppose it'd be one thing if I had a last name like Smith or Jones, where each name takes up 3 pages in the phone book lol, but even then I'd still have to exercise caution. None of my screen names have my real name in it, only my email address has it.

I sorta use my real name here and I think it's easy to find out what my real name as I use it with my art and photography. But, I really don't want my name on forum sites all that often because I want to be a bit more anonymous. If someone really wants to know my real name, they're going to find it whether I post it here or not. But, for the casual internet user, I don't really want to reveal all of it them.

Well I use a nickname cause I like it better. But some do know my real name but only my first name. My first name is fairly common and well I dont see an issue with someone knowing my first name online.

I use a nickname as you wouldnt want everyone knowing your identity, You have to give your name for emailing but that is kept private. I would give my real name to friends here on mylot as I give out my email to them on a pm.

When you use your real name its easy for people to find out info on you. I know my son doesn't want his kids names or pictures on the internet. He doesn't mind sharing pictures with people we know. Some people are very paranoid about things like that. We don't really know who could be getting our info.

I don't like to use my real name in untrusted sites, but I use it if I'll be payout with check or they need my name for payment, yeah it has some risk to use your real name but until now I didn't face any problem.

I have had the same screen name for years when I first started out on the internet. It is part of my name and the rest is my initials. I use my true name online. I have no problem with that. I just wanted to have a unique name online. Some of the other names that I had chosen to use were already taken so I chose this one. I never use someone elses name.

Most people online want that degree of anonymity in their cyberlife...You can take part in discussions and not hold back on your opinions,be frank and honest,and even change Your personality..That can be good or bad,when You read of Online Stalkers picking people out and travelling across country to get physical with them over a comment or opinion..There are businesses that collect email addresses and gleaned personal information and sell them to spammers,or worse,ID Fraudsters..Personally,I don't like Spam,or Phishing schemes,or the Idea of someone stealing money using My ID as a cover,with me being the Dupe..For that reason,flimsy a cover as it may be,I'll use an online Alias..

come to think of it...i think youre right. i have loads of junk mail that i cant get rid offf... i tried blocking the address or hitting the spam button on it or even unsubscribing to it...it just keeps coming in... but you know even though i use my nick name...i dont think i can use another one...it just wouldnt work for me.

when someone with bad intention get our real names, just imagine what the person would be able to do with it? especially when the person had real bad intention, like stalking, for example. for some places, when you get someone's real name, you would be able to find the telephone numbers, mailing address, etc. so it is not advisable to use real name when we interact with people whose real faces don't even show up on the screen. just consider for the safety. we can't ever know the inner part of our opponent 'speaker' on internet. unless the person is someone you can really trust.

I use my real name in internet. i don't think using the real name will attract hackers. if you are using the real name our friends may easily recognize use online.

well, me i just want to protect my name from hackers, a lot of people hanging around the internet and you don't know who's who.they might use your name for some bad purposes

Here on Mylot, I use a name that defines me. I was born in New Zealand and now live in Australia. I suppose I could have used my real name, but what fun is that? lol. For some people, it is about hiding their true identity and for others, they can be someone different to who they are offline. For me, NewZealtralian stands for New Zealander and Australian, meaning I have the legal right to live in either country without penalty. I want to make my own one off teddy bears one day (when I get round to buying a sewing machine that is!) and NewZealtralian will be part of my label.

Hi Marcia the only reason I use my name is because its my spiritual name and probably wouldn't get used that often other than on here-I do know quite a few people do use their real names-blessings littleowl

Yes, because you may be writing about someone you dislike and they may come onto the site and find out. This will cause a big brawl between the two persons. Plus, someone may be a stalker or serial killer. Or a person who is just out to frame you. I plan to change up my profile. I don't want anyone really to know my full name. This could be very dangerous!