I was checking to see who was on the board. Got my feelings hurt by another member, so I was waiting for a reply. @Matrix, they were so many guests viewing, so many bots. The only thing I could think is they are looking for personal information, gleaning what they can from profiles. Makes me worry about safety of information some post. I never did a full profile, where I live, birthday etc. Should we be concerned, I don't go into detail but some might. My detail is only related to everyday life. Can any other information be obtained by our activity on the board. Would it be best for people not to post where they live,,,,etc and any other personal information, can anyone access email addresses etc. Is this information protected? Just trying to make sure we are all safe. Thanks.
Are you concerned about guests on this board
- Thread starter Blessed
- Start date
NorthernLight
Well-known Member
- Location
- Northern BC
It's generally not a good idea to post all that info about yourself. If you live in Toronto or Chicago, that's one thing, but I don't want people to know which small town I'm in.
It even bothers me that so many thread titles ask idle questions about our lives, families, preferences, etc. Someone could put together quite a profile. Then who knows what they'd do with it.
It even bothers me that so many thread titles ask idle questions about our lives, families, preferences, etc. Someone could put together quite a profile. Then who knows what they'd do with it.
OneEyedDiva
SF VIP
- Location
- New Jersey
I think as long as we are using screen names, not our real names, we should be okay. Once someone commented a couple of years ago that I shouldn't have posted what bank I deal with. I told him I dare anyone to try to hack into an account for OneEyedDiva. I put way more personal information here on SF than I ever would on Facebook because in reality I'm anonymous here but I use my real name on FB. I've also done searches to make sure my screen name has not been connected to my real name in search engines. I would be concerned if I found out that somehow bots and guests could access our private messages which I doubt is the case...right @Matrix.
Tish
SF VIP
- Location
- Rural N.S.W. Australia
It really doesn't worry me, more information is available on social platforms.
That's why I stopped putting up pics of myself because I found them on google and realized where that stuff can go. Don't worry excessively but don't volunteer information either.
I will say I have posted some serious feelings here but no personal information. It just kind of spooked me when I saw all the guests and bots on here. These days, I am just astounded about how hackers get into private information Just want everyone to be safe.
Funnily enough, on another forum, someone commented on the lack of info on some profiles. Is there a connection, I wonder? I can see why someone might check a member's profile if they posted extreme views on something. These forums can be a good gauge of public opinion. People will often state their views on forums and chat sites, but remain silent in more public domains.
Been There
Well-known Member
- Location
- Florida
We had a Marine that posted his picture and someone used it in a dating site. It was a nightmare for this young man until he was able to get it all straightened out. Lesson learned.
-Oy-
Bloke with a camera
- Location
- Lancashire
Just because you aren't paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you 
katlupe
SF VIP
- Location
- Norwich, NY
My information has been online since 1995. I wrote four blogs and have two books on Amazon. Had an eBay store and sold on Amazon marketplace. So I think it is too late for me to worry about it. I don't really see what any hacker would want with me. I have no money, no house or car, just a worn out body.
Matrix
Admin
I wouldn't be worried, email is private, others can only see your gender. It makes no sense to piece together vague info of a stranger on forums, you can find very detailed info on blogs or social medias if you want.
Matrix
Admin
Bots or guests see as much as you do when you're logged out.
Thank you Matrix, I am new to online forums and freaked myself out.
I wouldn't worry about information on the net, we
can't do anything to stop the spread, unless we stop
having computers,
Google are the masters, they gather information about
each of us from all over the net, anywhere they find out
more information, it is put into your file, yes they probably
have a folder for each of us.
I was discussing something with a friend in a coffee shop
before Christmas, when I got home and went to Amazon,
the item we were discussing was on the opening page of
the site. My phone was in my pocket, but his was on the
table, it had to be listening and knew who I was etc.
The machines are watching.
Mike.
can't do anything to stop the spread, unless we stop
having computers,
Google are the masters, they gather information about
each of us from all over the net, anywhere they find out
more information, it is put into your file, yes they probably
have a folder for each of us.
I was discussing something with a friend in a coffee shop
before Christmas, when I got home and went to Amazon,
the item we were discussing was on the opening page of
the site. My phone was in my pocket, but his was on the
table, it had to be listening and knew who I was etc.
The machines are watching.
Mike.
I don't have a cell but I do know there is information gathered from websites I visit. I just try to stay safe. I do not want to give up on technology but I will do so if it is called for.
Okay Ms. Pepper, why are you laughing at me. I am the first one to step up and admit I am not tech savy. I have no shame, I like being simple. I joined the forum because I am no longer social, out in the world. I don't trust people in real life so I am still questioning, is this a safe place to talk to others. If you don't think it is safe it may be best for me to step away not matter how much I enjoy being here. Maybe you are laughing because I said I am freaking myself out. Please let me know.
I thought the term "freaked myself out" was great & haven't heard it for awhile (((Blessed)))
Alligatorob
SF VIP
Or The Mindbenders & Phil Collins
"Wouldn't you agree, baby you and me, got a groovy kind of love."
CallMeKate
Well-known Member
- Location
- Mid-Atlantic US
I have assumed (right or wrong) that the bots do their crawling to build the search engines and thus allow people searching for anything that's discussed on a forum to be able to find it. Guests are reading us because they most likely either searched for senior forums or for a particular topic we discussed. In both cases, I see it as possible new members, and that's a good thing.
Granted, even super big places such as Equifax get hacked, but that's usually for data like personal stuff (SSN, address, etc.) and we don't have any of those things here.
Granted, even super big places such as Equifax get hacked, but that's usually for data like personal stuff (SSN, address, etc.) and we don't have any of those things here.
All websites have guests and bots.
When we shop online, when send information to the RMV or when we send our information to our tax preparer or when we do online banking our personal information goes into cyberspace.
I try limiting how much of my personal gets into cyberspace.
For example, on here you will notice that my profile is empty.
When we shop online, when send information to the RMV or when we send our information to our tax preparer or when we do online banking our personal information goes into cyberspace.
I try limiting how much of my personal gets into cyberspace.
For example, on here you will notice that my profile is empty.