Internet Security...

[NightCat]

People so easily fail to understand how much information is readily available online for either free, or for a low cost..

I have a friend who is an aspiring model, and within a matter of 30 minutes I had the complete run down on her. I was showing her how easy it was for someone to find her...she's on Facebook and doesn't use her last name for security reasons and I showed her how that doesnt help at all...she has almost 4,000 "friends" and if anyone of them were to try and stalk her or whatever, how easy it would be.

Without paying a dime, I was able to find, her First and Last name, Home Phone number, Cell phone number, Date of Birth, Parents Names, Siblings Names, her time in service (US Army), Past 3 addresses, the value of those addresses, the interest rate, the amount sold for and valued for today, License plate number, vehicle description, weight, height, eye color...

She was amazed how fast I could get all of this and without even having to pay for it, for a whopping $1 I could've had the full background make up on her and all I had was a first name to start with....

So, for anyone out there who thinks they're safe and people cant find you if all they have is a first name....be warned.

that guy you cut off in traffic or brake checked on the highway, might be showing up at your door...

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

So... We learned Facebook is bad. Yup already knew it.

[Danimal]

You know, it is hard with the way that society is integrating social media into our lives, but the security is not keeping up with it. I am in the process of going off of the grid, and have been for some time. No facebook, twitter, cell phone, or really any social media site at all. Call me tinfoil hat guy, but I have seen too much from friends that are computer programmers. I mean really there are compiler programs out there that can canvas the web gathering data. All they need is for someone to want to find information on you and type in anything about you that narrows it down to you. If you have bought a house ever in your life your name and address are public record and they can go from there. If they trace your ISP then they really have access to everything you do and view online. The program that I saw was self adapting, meaning that as it learned more about you it used that new information to search out more information. Even VPN have limited protections. Everything that you post, share or look at can be found very easily if you paint a target on your back. It is best to minimize your footprint not because you worry about what they will find, but because it makes you less of a target.

[Drucker]

What a person needs to remember is that so much of the information listed as "you" can be and is incorrect. But hey throw enough crap on the wall and something accurate is bound to stick. And if you feel so inclined you can populate your profile with enough fallacious information to make any reasonable search worthless. Or just stay out of social disease sites.

[ray1970]

Yep. I pretty much figure my full name, address and phone number is pretty much out there for anyone to find if they want it. That's why I don't hesitate to give that information out.

Everything is stored electronically today. Including all of your banking information, credit card information, social security number, etc. I actually fear a major computer database attack of some kind more than a military attack by our enemies.

[BigDee]

You should be just as if not more concerned with how corporations handle your personal data like credit card info. Bank info, social security info. Etc. as you should trying to hide yourself.

I work in telecommunications and I provide large voice and data infrastructure to some very large companies that most of you have And more than likely continue to do business with. Many of these companies have your information stored on servers sitting on the edge of the public Internet. These servers sit behind firewalls but Chinese hackers can very easily blow through these firewalls, just ask me how I know.

When you purchase something online your financial data is being transported across the public Internet. When you buy something with a credit card there is a 90% chance that transaction is transmitting your data across the public Internet and nothing transported over the public Internet is secure despite how heavily it is encrypted.

[Danimal]

I have had my information stolen from the government three times now. I am kinda surprised that my military record is not out there in .pdf yet. there is nothing that I can do about it. I just keep getting the warnings from DFAS in the mail about how they had another system breach and loss of data and then a week or so later I start getting emails from "The IRS" asking me to reply with my social security number so that they can verify my information is correct. Yeah right, sounds legit. I am at the point where there is nothing that I can do but buy lifelock and sit back and watch what happens. It sucks, but I do not trust the .gov to keep my information safe, so how the hell is some mom and pop internet store going to?

[Great-Kazoo]

You should be just as if not more concerned with how corporations handle your personal data like credit card info. Bank info, social security info. Etc. as you should trying to hide yourself.

I work in telecommunications and I provide large voice and data infrastructure to some very large companies that most of you have And more than likely continue to do business with. Many of these companies have your information stored on servers sitting on the edge of the public Internet. These servers sit behind firewalls but Chinese hackers can very easily blow through these firewalls, just ask me how I know.

When you purchase something online your financial data is being transported across the public Internet. When you buy something with a credit card there is a 90% chance that transaction is transmitting your data across the public Internet and nothing transported over the public Internet is secure despite how heavily it is encrypted.


Not to forget ANY kind of warranty work / home repair. On the phone regarding window warranty in home. All info has been entered in to factories computer. Also include as mentioned doctor & dentist, any hospital or even health club. EVERYONE HAS YOUR TICKET.

[BigDee]

I have had my information stolen from the government three times now. I am kinda surprised that my military record is not out there in .pdf yet. there is nothing that I can do about it. I just keep getting the warnings from DFAS in the mail about how they had another system breach and loss of data and then a week or so later I start getting emails from "The IRS" asking me to reply with my social security number so that they can verify my information is correct. Yeah right, sounds legit. I am at the point where there is nothing that I can do but buy lifelock and sit back and watch what happens. It sucks, but I do not trust the .gov to keep my information safe, so how the hell is some mom and pop internet store going to?

The mom and pop Internet stores don't keep your Information safe. MPLS and VPN networks are very expensive so companies prefer to take their chances over the public Internet. The PCI compliance deal has created a false sense of security for many people but most will start to understand soon enough.

It's estimated that hackers have taken over 1 trillion dollars out of the American economy by means of stealing corporate secrets and innovations.

Everyone is vulnerable and you are a fool if you do not subscribe to life lock or a similar service.

[Byte Stryke]

So... We learned the internet is bad. Yup already knew it.

FTFY

[Irving]

Don't forget about the printer/copiers that every company uses.

[Ashton]

I'm not worried. I know they can find me. But I also know I can find them ;)

[Ashton]

I have had my information stolen from the government three times now. I am kinda surprised that my military record is not out there in .pdf yet. there is nothing that I can do about it. I just keep getting the warnings from DFAS in the mail about how they had another system breach and loss of data and then a week or so later I start getting emails from "The IRS" asking me to reply with my social security number so that they can verify my information is correct. Yeah right, sounds legit. I am at the point where there is nothing that I can do but buy lifelock and sit back and watch what happens. It sucks, but I do not trust the .gov to keep my information safe, so how the hell is some mom and pop internet store going to?

Lifelock doesn't work. Sorry to break it to ya. They couldn't even "lockdown" the information of their CEO.

[Jer]

I do this sort of thing all of the time and it amazes people when I show them what I can get from little more than an email address or forum username. Pretty easy.