Anonymity & the Internet
By JJ
@JolietJake (50190)
May 19, 2016 4:25am CST
People should really be more careful on the Interwebs...when you're on a public forum (like myLot) and you give just one or two clues, it's easy to find out who you are. Just told a 15 year old I found their facebook account simply from them stating where they lived (on their profile here), their first name, and what they liked in a discussion...they said the account on facebook isn't theirs...but I noticed they immediately deleted the discussion...
It's extremely easy to find people on the 'net with very little information.
Please...if you wish to stay anonymous, be very careful what you write here, and what information you make public. Some of us don't care if people know who we really are...but if you do, just remember the Internet makes tracking people very easy.
It's your privacy...and you must be diligent about guarding it.
*This is a public service message from SomeGuyTyping*
28 people like this
24 responses
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
Many of us don't, but many people don't seem to realize the small amount needed if they do want to remain anonymous.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42155)
• France
19 May 16
Since I had problems with a personal web site where I was innocently giving my real name, I never use the same user name on different sites. Besides, myLot is the only English forum where I am really active, and I have no personal FB, so it would be a bit difficult to identify me, although not impossible, because I gave a few info on my job and my city in a few discussions. But I would tell the same than your 15 years old : it is not me
!
!4 people like this
@hereandthere (45635)
• Philippines
19 May 16
what kind of problems did you have? is your personal website still up?
2 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
I'll come to your job and look for the person with myLot open on their computer 
3 people like this
@toniganzon (72545)
• Philippines
19 May 16
Exactly. I can be easily found on other sites using my username, but I'm not staying anonymous because I'm an exhibitionist lol! If i wanna be anonymous then I wouldn't have used the same username everywhere. But they'll only see things that i want to share publicly and nothing else.
3 people like this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
Like you, I don't care if people know who I am, but I also make everything publicly accessible, even on facebook. But people need to realize, even a first name and a town can make them easily found these days.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
@JohnRoberts Yep. What started out as a fun 'toy' for many has found ways to reveal almost anything a person wants to find out about you with a bit of searching.
1 person likes this
@Lolaze (5092)
• St. Louis, Missouri
20 May 16
@Bellatricks Oh good lord, I would've gotten myself in sooooo much trouble as a teen. I was such an idiot up until around age 17.
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
19 May 16
I worry more about the government finding me than someone on Facebook @JolietJake . After all, I am probably on the governments "Red List".
2 people like this
@JudyEv (353830)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 May 16
Thanks for the warning. I guess people wouldn't have much trouble finding me but I don't know if or why I should be worried - or not - and I'm being serious. So if that is all the information they need, how do you avoid giving yourself away?
4 people like this
@JudyEv (353830)
• Rockingham, Australia
19 May 16
@JolietJake Oh dear, guilty on both counts! 
I'll just have to trust to luck I guess.
I'll just have to trust to luck I guess.1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
Don't ever mention your real name, and make it where people don't know where you live are the first two ways.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45635)
• Philippines
19 May 16
but if you don't have facebook and always use an alias and post pictures but never with your face on it?
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
But? I know you are in the Philippines, I can just come over and start knocking on every door until I find you 
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45635)
• Philippines
19 May 16
@JolietJake which island will you start first? we have 7000 of them.
1 person likes this
@JolietJake (50190)
•
19 May 16
@hereandthere That's okay, I know you are female, under 90 and over 18, that narrows it down some
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
20 May 16
Being anonymous is difficult on Internet. I don't really care if someone finds me on social network.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85296)
• Valdosta, Georgia
19 May 16
It's true that some don't realize just how easy it is. I didn't either until certain things were pointed out to me. I guess it's a good thing I am not trying to hide. If a MyLotter wants to come visit me I am totally okay with it! 
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20551)
• United States
19 May 16
When I was on bubblews, a woman I had followed found me on facebook. I didn't mind. But yes it is easy.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
19 May 16
Good advice. I've probably given out a virtual road map right to our apartment.
1 person likes this
