Are you properly paranoid about giving out your personal information?
By megamatt
@megamatt (14290)
United States
June 12, 2011 3:15pm CST
Your computer could in fact be rather secure, but that's not to say that the other guy on the other end, no matter how trustworthy, would be even secure in the slightest. Every time you give out any piece of information, whether online or otherwise, you run the risk of identity theft. Even giving something to someone you trust, what's to stop them from getting mad at you and them ending up posting it all over the Internet in a fit of rage? Really not all that much. We all learn the dangers of posting personal information but everyone who has suffered identity theft thought that it would never happen to them. It can happen to anyone. Even the most secure places, even the most trusted people, great care and thought should be exercised. I've had friends that have had their lives ruined because of something they did when they were stupid teenagers, something they posted. Nothing truly leaves the Internet, everything is downloaded by someone somewhere. Even in real life, be careful who you tell what, whether its over the phone or face to face. People might not be who they claim to be. So be safe and happy myLotting.
3 responses
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
12 Jun 11
Hi there,
I am properly and cautiously safeguarding my information. Though the scam artists are on the rise, I feel I do my share to be protected.
It truly amazes me to see many and not just here but almost everywhere willingly give out information.
I currently on a site saw an old friend who had her entire account hijacked and her user name changed to his name but still has her photo as if it is he. It is quite sad as this scam artist is on my friend list.
In offline life it is a bit more easier if one really takes a moment to think before speaking at times, online it is like a disease where it spreads really fast.
@megamatt (14290)
• United States
13 Jun 11
That is really ultimately true. In our online life, we tend to be a bit quick to thing. There are times where we can't really judge the intentions of others as well. Its hard to do so, as we are on one end of the computer screen, they are at the other, end. Still really in the end, not just online, but in the real world, as there is all kinds of ways to cause identity theft to a person. For instance, people not being careful what things they throw away, is another blindspot for a lot of people. I actually wrote an article about this just today on Triond and it just proves you can get in trouble by a lot of people, both in the high tech ways and the low tech ways. I'll leave the article at the end of this post, if anyone wants to read it. We do need these reminders, no matter what. Thanks for responding. Its appreciated. Have a nice day.
http://socyberty.com/crime/your-trash-could-be-an-identity-thiefs-treasure/
@hardworkinggurl (37062)
• United States
12 Jun 11
By the way I should add that all of us need daily continual reminders because sometimes at a split second we can be scammed. 
@megamatt (14290)
• United States
12 Jun 11
You're very welcome for the reminder. I really think that all of us need a reminder every now and again about the type of people that are out of their on the Internet and really in the world in general. There are a lot of people who will take one slip up that we might have made some time ago and it could really come back to bite us years and years later. Its important to remember that while the Internet and life in general can be fun, you need to exercise caution. Be mindful of who you tell what to. Its scary that we have to be this paranoid, but it could happen to anyone. Thanks for responding. Its appreciated. Have a nice day.
@choybel (5042)
• Philippines
12 Jun 11
It's a good thing that one of the principles I follow in life goes with the saying "better safe than sorry", so I have always been cautious, but then again there are always times when my guard is down without me knowing and all I can do about it is hope that nobody took advantage of it. Paranoia can be dangerous but so is carelessness. 
@GemmaR (8517)
•
13 Jun 11
I always hate giving my personal information to anybody online, because you can never be 100% sure if they're genuine, and also you can't tell who's able to get hold of your information from the websites that you submit the information to. I don't even like giving people my full name or date of birth, let alone my bank details. I can only imagine just how much people could take from me if they ever managed to steal any of my information.
