OT-Question/message for parents

[RuthLS]

I am planning a vacation and just started on these boards a few weeks ago. In reading threads and posts I've noticed a lot of people post a lot of personal information. Kids names, pictures, what city or state they are from. The exact week of their vacation and where they are staying.

So I guess this post is twofold...I was wondering if any of you have given any thought to the fact that there may be some not so well intentioned people on these boards. And any other board for that matter.

And I guess my point is (really not to upset or scare anyone) but that we all get to posting and feel comfortable and like a family and let our guard down. I was even thinking recently-boy..what have I posted that in all reality I wouldn't want just anyone to know-but anyone could view b/c I put it out there?

I did a quick yahoo people seach on myself. My number is not unlisted, but I have a complex last name. A combo of DH and my maiden name all in one word, but it has always gotten seperated b/c people assume it's two names. So usually you can't find my number. So I typed my name as it is supposed to be and just my state and that website that comes up that you pay to get info or a bkground ck came up and has my correct name and all the towns I've lived in since I've been in this state. So I know it's me. Kind of creepy.

I guess I just want to give a heads up to those that have gotten maybe too comfortable. I'm not trying to I just want us to all be careful.

I suppose it doesn't help that I watched Oprah today and the topic was computers, web cams, and child pornography. I really just want people to think about it a little. I know there has to be some not so honest people lurking here and they might not even post-but they are here.

Really I just have everyones best interests in mind.
Ruth

 

[TravelinGal]

And that would be why my last name is not provided for public viewing.

 

[rt2dz]

And that is why I don't post any part of my name, my kids names, our town/address/phone number or any pictures. People who are determined only need a few key pieces of info.

 

[TravelinGal]

And that is why I don't post any part of my name, my kids names, our town/address/phone number or any pictures. People who are determined only need a few key pieces of info.

I'm a little puzzled by this... So, I live in Aurora CO (as it says in my information to the left) and you know our first names. So you're saying that in a city of over a quarter million people, you're saying someone can find us with only our first names?
That takes WAY too much time. If my last name was posted, sure - you'd have me, but first names only? Seems a bit parinoid. (don't mean it as an insult or anything - just an opinion)
Did a web search with that basic info and, while a Wayne and Robin did come up, it's not us. Maybe if you lived in a small town it would be more risky.

 

[DVCLiz]

Having others know that DD and I are headed to the Beach Club for her spring break doesn't really concern me - no one knows what we look like, our last name, and even WE don't know our room number!!!! And every other room at the resort will be filled with families of young children. Unless someone read or saw something that made my family stand out in any way, I'd just be another of the many thousands at WDW at any one time.

Any personal family information I post on the DIS isn't likely to give me away, either. You'd have to know me IRL in order to "place" any of the places or events I typically talk about. So I feel pretty safe!!!!

Otoh, I noticed your full name on your post, so I can see why you would be concerned. I'd edit that if I were you!

 

[rt2dz]

I'm a little puzzled by this... So, I live in Aurora CO (as it says in my information to the left) and you know our first names. So you're saying that in a city of over a quarter million people, you're saying someone can find us with only our first names?
That takes WAY too much time. If my last name was posted, sure - you'd have me, but first names only? Seems a bit parinoid. (don't mean it as an insult or anything - just an opinion)
Did a web search with that basic info and, while a Wayne and Robin did come up, it's not us. Maybe if you lived in a small town it would be more risky.

I'm not talking about the normal, average person, but a stalker. Someone may pick you from a single post for whatever reason. They can then go back and track all your posts. Each little post gives a little more info.

I block signatures so I can't see them, but some people list every trip. Some psycho who is deteremined can then start figuring out by cross referencing every vacation (same name at the same time popping up at the same hotels will probably = you). Track down kids ages & names in various schools of the same city. Heck, post pictures and you talk about activities and all they have to do is sit outside until they see you. Hang out by the elementry schools until they see your child, spending a day at each one until found. You talk about other websites & boards. Maybe the stalker is a bit of a hacker? Someone who WANTED to do this, could probably get it all done in under a week.

There was a post last week (?) on the community boards about someone who had to leave the DIS because they were tracked down and being stalked by someone. They had no real info in their profile, but things were coming to their house with their username in it.

It is a matter of being careful. With the internet becoming more and more prolific, it is becoming not common, but not uncommon.

 

[cstraub]

I don't put any personal info here. My user name is from straub beer and the initial of my first name. I am really paranoid about posting personal stuff.

I know how to find people on the internet so I know what not to post here in order to not be "found". As far as posting my travel dates.........good luck finding me. I have never posted a pic of myself or family except for the back of DD's head in my sig.

I also do not post pictures of my house or car.

 

[RuthLS]

I'm a little puzzled by this... So, I live in Aurora CO (as it says in my information to the left) and you know our first names. So you're saying that in a city of over a quarter million people, you're saying someone can find us with only our first names?
That takes WAY too much time. If my last name was posted, sure - you'd have me, but first names only? Seems a bit parinoid. (don't mean it as an insult or anything - just an opinion)
Did a web search with that basic info and, while a Wayne and Robin did come up, it's not us. Maybe if you lived in a small town it would be more risky.

I didn't mean to start a debate. I just wanted people who hadn't thought about it to maybe think twice about what they post. I'm not saying everyone here has done all of these things. But I have seen posts with kids names, adult names, the week they are traveling as well as their state and city.

As far as your info-you actually have a birthdate listed in your profile. (edited-I just cked and you obviously deleted that part-but it was there last night) I don't know if it's your true birthdate but there was one there none the less. A lot of information can be gained by a name and a bithdate along with a city and state.

And yes...I do have my last name. Which can be a problem. But I also have a business and a website. I don't list the city and state of where I am from. I guess it's a risk that I take in doing business. Not that it's right or wrong. Perhaps I should rethink it.

My point is that I just see many people that give a lot of information...more than they should. I'm not trying to parent. I was really only trying to help. I think sometimes we forget what we type and what's in our profile. It just creeps me out how many crazys there are out there.

I just wanted others to be aware that maybe weren't. I wasn't pointing fingers at anyone.

Ruth

 

[new_mouser]

Ruth,

I'm a new DIS'er who has been lurking for awhile, but since I haven't been to Disney in awhile has more questions than answers.

Anyway, I just did a few Google searches. In about 2 minutes, I found out your name, the city and state where you live, the names of your children and their ages, and a club you're involved in. I only looked up a couple of the searches, but there were 127 that were "found." If I were a stalker, I don't think it would be too difficult to find info.

 

[pedro2112]

Wow,, I would hate to go through life being so paranoid. Who cares if someone knows where you live or what you look like? Yes, terrible things can happen in life, but I think the chance of being killed by lightning is a million times more likely than being stalked and murdered because one has their family vacation pictures on the web.

 

[disneychrista]

The main reason I don't post too much personal information is not so much that outsiders will track me down. But that other Dis'ers will use previously posted information against you in other posts. It's happened.

 

[lauritagoddess]

If you really that concerned then don't post at all. I have a blog, a website with my son's pictures for family and friends. I don't advertise them but really anyone could find them (a guy I went to elementary school that I hadn't spoken to in over 20 years did find my blog and nowhere is my last name listed on it). I also post on parenting message boards and do post my son's pictures there. Sure someone could stalk us from any of the boards or sites, but is the danger really that great? I know people who've been stalked, and with the exception of one woman who was cyberstalked, it's always been someone they knew IRL. But then, it's all about your own comfort level.

 

[njdisneyfam]

I gotta say, I've been pretty amazed about the photos some people add to their posts. I don't need creeps seeing pix of my kids or my life. I do agree with the original poster. These boards have a sense of family to them, but that doesn't mean that there aren't very bad people lurking in the wings.

Call me paranoid all you want - perverts are a reality. Watch the news, read the paper. I know people think they're sharing fun photos of their families, but if you think like a creep you can see another side to it. For instance, I've seen photos of kids wearing their school jackets/shirts. Now they know what your kids look like and where they go to school. Who needs to invite potential trouble.

You know your kids are beautiful, do you really need strangers to know it as well?

 

[CEDmom]

And yes...I do have my last name. Which can be a problem. But I also have a business and a website. I don't list the city and state of where I am from. I guess it's a risk that I take in doing business. Not that it's right or wrong. Perhaps I should rethink it.

Ruth

I'm not too worried about someone finding me by what I post on the DIS. However, I'm not sure it's kosher to have your business information in your signature. Is that allowed here ?

 

[mytwotinks]

I'm not too worried about someone finding me by what I post on the DIS. However, I'm not sure it's kosher to have your business information in your signature. Is that allowed here ?

I am really confused about that too! I would never put that much personal info on my sig.

 

[grlpwrd]

Ruth,

I'm a new DIS'er who has been lurking for awhile, but since I haven't been to Disney in awhile has more questions than answers.

Anyway, I just did a few Google searches. In about 2 minutes, I found out your name, the city and state where you live, the names of your children and their ages, and a club you're involved in. I only looked up a couple of the searches, but there were 127 that were "found." If I were a stalker, I don't think it would be too difficult to find info.

I was curious and did a search on the OP, too, plus I used a personal info website and www.searchsystems.net to find out more about you just out of curiosity and I did.

Pictures and brief info is one thing while putting your full name out and giving us a "paper trail" like you have is in its own realm. That is, you are traceable by what info you have given.

I do worry about the pics and details given sometimes, too, and wish people were more vague... and please, if you post a pic of other kids (friends, classmates, etc.) or detailed info like a school or your license plate number please blur it out, crop it, or use Photoshop or something.

Forgot to add...

I like your message of the importance of online privacy and safety, but you really need to follow your own advice.

 

[RuthLS]

I agreed in a prior post that I probably had too much information posted. I've taken out my sign. for those of you that thought it was unethical to have my business listed. Though I know of several travel agents on here who advertise themselves as such.

As I stated, I didn't want to start a debate nor get into details about what is ok info and what is not. I was just merely warning that those who have a lot of information might want to reconsider.

As far as info that has been found on me, we have moved several times in the last few years so I am not overly concerned that anyone knows where I am at the time. Though I do have a website and a listed phone number. You can get state and city info by looking up a phone number. And I'm sure people could call the phone company and they would even give an address.

My point was that I've seen threads with posts where people over the course of the thread and their public profile give out more information than I think they realize. For instance, listing your city and state and partial or full name in your profile then going on to let everyone know exactly when you will be traveling and perhaps where you are staying gives one an idea of how much disposable income you have and when you won't be home.

Do I think there is a high likelyhood of getting stalked, robbed, etc.? No probably not, but why would one want to take the chance and give as much info as some give.

Again-this wasn't meant to be a debate. I hate that all message board posts end up having to be a debate at some point. And yes, I give out some info and have in the past and that's my choice. Remember-once it's out there and online it's there forever. We all make mistakes. I wasn't saying that those who give out info should stop. I was merely saying that those who don't realize and haven't thought about it might want to so they can make an informed choice/decision.

I was really only trying to help those that might not have thought about it. You know, there are kids on these boards as well that can be quite naive. I suppose next time I think I have something helpful to post I'll think twice. It seems that even the best of intentions can get twisted.

 

[CleveRocks]

Again-this wasn't meant to be a debate. I hate that all message board posts end up having to be a debate at some point. And yes, I give out some info and have in the past and that's my choice. Remember-once it's out there and online it's there forever. We all make mistakes. I wasn't saying that those who give out info should stop. I was merely saying that those who don't realize and haven't thought about it might want to so they can make an informed choice/decision.

I was really only trying to help those that might not have thought about it. You know, there are kids on these boards as well that can be quite naive. I suppose next time I think I have something helpful to post I'll think twice. It seems that even the best of intentions can get twisted.

You MAY be taking this the wrong way. When I read posts like yours, I feel badly for you and want to help by assuring you that the normal, thinking poster who gives no more than first names is NOT at risk. I feel badly that you are so scared, and want to reassure you that you don't need to be. If sometimes helping someone means that you have to tell them you disagree with them, well, sometimes the best medicine doesn't taste too good, but if it helps it was worth it, right?

 

[fran99999]

I wanted to thank the original OP I have very little on this board that would give away my info. However I have my Email listed to another place that was loaded with info. HOW STUDID can I get. I followed the trail and went

Thank U for pointing this out, I have corrected the issue. OK maybe not this way.