Privacy on MSE

Buzzybee90

Hi all,

I know there's a big thing about privacy on the forum but I read a story the other day about a man who gave someone his partners name and address and they found out everything about them - from family members (social networks) to ploys to get bank details.

I know MSE is an anonymous forum but it would be quite easy to find some people on here (if you were criminally minded!)

So, do you think we are truly anonymous? Also, I also read that privacy settings on Facebook have been changed so something's you believed to be private, are no longer so worth checking that out.

Edit: I meant to post this on the arms, unsure how to move? Back to work now but if any mod see this, feel free to move. Thanks!

[Deleted User]

You're not going to be able to say very much on the internet before somebody recognises you. Not everybody lives at the other end of the country, some are in the next street.

System

There is always the possibility that someone with far too much time on their hands could target a forum member and go looking through their posts and maybe piece together bits of information about them. For that reason it is best not to give too much away about yourself on here, unless you are happy for people to know. It is a well-known website which is visible to people anywhere in the world, after all!

I am not sure how it works if you log in with FaceBook, as I don't have a Facebook account.

Buzzybee90

I suppose the other side of the coin is that people maybe have say a name or photo, but that name or photo isn't actually then so it's like a double bluff for anyone!

With Facebook it really is hard to keep on top of your friends lists - I swear sometimes friends appear out of nowhere!

savingmummy

I don`t think your safe anywhere, even in real life!

I never disclose too much, that said the slightest bit of info is sometimes enough.

I`m sure most of my close friends and family would know this was me just by diary and posts I do!
I don`t put anything online I wouldn't be happy announcing in real life.

getmore4less

It is suprising the clues some people drop in their posts about themselves.

You have to be a pretty determined stalker to piece it all together.

Xreferences to other places/forums are the risky ones as you may contaminate your net presence with more connected info than you realise.

Indie_Kid

I once had someone on here (a newbie) claim they knew where I live, etc. Unfortuantely for me, I have a stupidly rare first name and surname. (the spelling, anyway)

How true their claim was, I don't know.

tom9980

Doesn't take much at all being honest to track people all around the internet. two or three pieces of information are enough to uncover more. Social networks with varying privacy settings can uncover a lot, for instance you may have locked down your profile but friends and family may not.

As mentioned only ever write or create content that you are happy for anyone and everyone to see.

System

I'm not anonymous. I have met about 10 MSE'rs in real life in the great meet of 2003 and a few of these people have been to my house.

To be anonymous I'd have to use another identity.

[Deleted User]

I often find people reuse their alias names, so you can search for info on them in other sites

You've just got assume that you aren't anonymous on here, and only share what you'd be willing to tell a stranger

tea_lover

ringo_24601 wrote: »

You've just got assume that you aren't anonymous on here, and only share what you'd be willing to tell a stranger

I reckon it's more like 'only share what you'd be willing to tell your mum and your boss'.