Leo, as far as Facebook or MySpace is concerned, I would be far more concerned with the fact that he has her email address than whether he has her real name. I just did a Facebook search on "Nancy Phillips" (a name I made up for the test) and got over 500 results. It would be almost impossible to identify a particular Nancy Phillips with sketchy information based on the name alone. However, if I had that particular Nancy Phillips' email address, it would be a cinch. The search would take me right to her profile. I myself have an even more common name (which has a very commonly used nickname), and I could tell this group what my name and state are without really being concerned about anybody finding me (there are multiple people with my name just in my county). But if someone had my email address, one search would have me identified.
If she has an even modestly common name, someone would have a LOT of work to do to find her--unless he has her email address (which this fellow does).
Posted by: Mike at December 9, 2009 3:52 PM
It's also a good idea to create a disposable email address using fictitious information (most free email providers don't even ask any more for your address as most people use fictitious info) for setting up your FB, MySpace or chat accounts. Tat way if you start getting threatening emails from that person or even just spam, you can open a new email address easily.
Posted by: Mark at December 10, 2009 3:03 AM
I'd also suggest blocking this person in you email account. If you're using free Yahoo mail, log in to your account. In the upper right corner in blue letters is "Options". Click on "Mail Options", then "Spam", then add HIS email address to your blocked address list. In Gmail: log in, click on "Create a filter" (in very small letters), enter HIS email address in the From: block, yours in the To: block, click on "next step" and follow the prompts. You can automatically delete any incoming emails from this guy without ever seeing them in your Inbox. Other email services have similar blocking options.
Posted by: Mary at December 10, 2009 8:06 AM
Security being the watchword here, I would start using some personal security in my day to day life. Pepper spray in the purse or better yet, pocket. Watch where you go, and watch people around you for suspicious or threatening behavior. Take a women's self defense course (free at many Martial Arts studios and some colleges). If you ever see any evidence that someone is stalking or just watching you, notify your local law enforcement shop (city police or county sheriff) and give them his information (e-mail address, chat nickname, specific nature of threats). Also, carry one of those loud whistles said to deter attackers.
Now, tell your parents what is going on. Sometimes, parents can get things done, and they can often be more understanding than you might think. Sure, they will yell at you for chatting - parents do that. (They're just jealous that they never had the technology. Plus parents yell at you when they're scared.) Once they finish yelling, they will get down to making decisions on what to do about this little stomach worm.
Posted by: Alex Netherton at December 10, 2009 10:33 AM
Leo, you may not wanna be sure about not being able to locate physically anybody using the IP address. Nowadays its so easy. Just FYI.
*I work for a SPY compañy and we do it all the times.
Prove it, please. I get people telling me "it's easy" (or worse, "it must be easy because my brother's friend's housecleaner did it once"). To the average person without the help of law enforcement it simply isn't that easy. I'll happily rethink that when someone proves me wrong by showing exactly how the average person can do it legally.
17-Dec-2009
Posted by: xXx at December 15, 2009 9:36 AM
I tracked a guy on a religious debating site just out of interest to see if his claims were real.
Small tidbits of info gien away can be used by google as a starting point.
In this case I was able to locate the guys legal office in a small US town even though I live 14000 km away in another country...so be careful ..but not paranoid.
JP
Brisbane
Posted by: johnpro2 at December 15, 2009 3:54 PM
Regarding the comment on locating someone physically by IP Address, there seem to be cases, especially in large metropolitan areas, when the user's ISP is well-established with a large infrastructure (like a broadband provider over cable), the IP can be used to zero in, say, within 5 miles or so of the user's residence. You can see how accurate your ISP is here: Mobile IP Address Checker
But again, there are many factors that contribute to this being accurate, or much less so. I agree with Leo, the best advice is to be careful of what you say, and don't reveal personal information, as information gleaned from IP, may not be something you want in the hands of a malicious person.
Posted by: Del Hopkins at December 15, 2009 4:09 PM
Leo suggests "use a fake name"
I use the same 'nic' on many sites which is the same name I use on my Hotmail account... . private and safe ..no not at all !!
I was really taken aback a few minutes ago when I Google my nic and saw all manner of info which I had posted under my nic name ...even personal pics and a video of the kids inside my house lifted from 'YouTube' .
Might have to have a rethink now ?
Jp
Posted by: johnpro2 at December 15, 2009 9:46 PM
Good post. I think most people in the internet are like to say : I can do anything if I like.
Just a joke. Take it easy.
Posted by: Jack at December 16, 2009 1:01 AM
Great Post!
People should be aware that they can easily be tracked back using their email addresses. I my self when enter chat rooms do a lot of debates and as a result do get lot of such threats and even some times ppl do somehow boot me out of the room and messenger!!
When I tried to search how much information I am revealing over internet, I was surprised by getting over five hundred results and that was the time I planned to re-think over this.
I changed that email to as my public identity and created a private email address for communication with my personal contacts, deleted all the personal stuff posted via public email.
Today I feel proud that I took that step and now i can see no or very little personal information available on internet associated with my public email address and my private email returns no results over internet seach.
Posted by: Invisible Boy at December 17, 2009 11:41 PM
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Leo, as far as Facebook or MySpace is concerned, I would be far more concerned with the fact that he has her email address than whether he has her real name. I just did a Facebook search on "Nancy Phillips" (a name I made up for the test) and got over 500 results. It would be almost impossible to identify a particular Nancy Phillips with sketchy information based on the name alone. However, if I had that particular Nancy Phillips' email address, it would be a cinch. The search would take me right to her profile. I myself have an even more common name (which has a very commonly used nickname), and I could tell this group what my name and state are without really being concerned about anybody finding me (there are multiple people with my name just in my county). But if someone had my email address, one search would have me identified.
Posted by: Mike at December 9, 2009 3:52 PMIf she has an even modestly common name, someone would have a LOT of work to do to find her--unless he has her email address (which this fellow does).
It's also a good idea to create a disposable email address using fictitious information (most free email providers don't even ask any more for your address as most people use fictitious info) for setting up your FB, MySpace or chat accounts. Tat way if you start getting threatening emails from that person or even just spam, you can open a new email address easily.
Posted by: Mark at December 10, 2009 3:03 AMI'd also suggest blocking this person in you email account. If you're using free Yahoo mail, log in to your account. In the upper right corner in blue letters is "Options". Click on "Mail Options", then "Spam", then add HIS email address to your blocked address list. In Gmail: log in, click on "Create a filter" (in very small letters), enter HIS email address in the From: block, yours in the To: block, click on "next step" and follow the prompts. You can automatically delete any incoming emails from this guy without ever seeing them in your Inbox. Other email services have similar blocking options.
Posted by: Mary at December 10, 2009 8:06 AMSecurity being the watchword here, I would start using some personal security in my day to day life. Pepper spray in the purse or better yet, pocket. Watch where you go, and watch people around you for suspicious or threatening behavior. Take a women's self defense course (free at many Martial Arts studios and some colleges). If you ever see any evidence that someone is stalking or just watching you, notify your local law enforcement shop (city police or county sheriff) and give them his information (e-mail address, chat nickname, specific nature of threats). Also, carry one of those loud whistles said to deter attackers.
Posted by: Alex Netherton at December 10, 2009 10:33 AMNow, tell your parents what is going on. Sometimes, parents can get things done, and they can often be more understanding than you might think. Sure, they will yell at you for chatting - parents do that. (They're just jealous that they never had the technology. Plus parents yell at you when they're scared.) Once they finish yelling, they will get down to making decisions on what to do about this little stomach worm.
Leo, you may not wanna be sure about not being able to locate physically anybody using the IP address. Nowadays its so easy. Just FYI.
*I work for a SPY compañy and we do it all the times.
17-Dec-2009
Posted by: xXx at December 15, 2009 9:36 AM
I tracked a guy on a religious debating site just out of interest to see if his claims were real.
Small tidbits of info gien away can be used by google as a starting point.
Posted by: johnpro2 at December 15, 2009 3:54 PMIn this case I was able to locate the guys legal office in a small US town even though I live 14000 km away in another country...so be careful ..but not paranoid.
JP
Brisbane
Regarding the comment on locating someone physically by IP Address, there seem to be cases, especially in large metropolitan areas, when the user's ISP is well-established with a large infrastructure (like a broadband provider over cable), the IP can be used to zero in, say, within 5 miles or so of the user's residence. You can see how accurate your ISP is here: Mobile IP Address Checker
But again, there are many factors that contribute to this being accurate, or much less so. I agree with Leo, the best advice is to be careful of what you say, and don't reveal personal information, as information gleaned from IP, may not be something you want in the hands of a malicious person.
Posted by: Del Hopkins at December 15, 2009 4:09 PMLeo suggests "use a fake name"
I use the same 'nic' on many sites which is the same name I use on my Hotmail account... . private and safe ..no not at all !!
Posted by: johnpro2 at December 15, 2009 9:46 PMI was really taken aback a few minutes ago when I Google my nic and saw all manner of info which I had posted under my nic name ...even personal pics and a video of the kids inside my house lifted from 'YouTube' .
Might have to have a rethink now ?
Jp
Good post. I think most people in the internet are like to say : I can do anything if I like.
Just a joke. Take it easy.
Posted by: Jack at December 16, 2009 1:01 AMGreat Post!
Posted by: Invisible Boy at December 17, 2009 11:41 PMPeople should be aware that they can easily be tracked back using their email addresses. I my self when enter chat rooms do a lot of debates and as a result do get lot of such threats and even some times ppl do somehow boot me out of the room and messenger!!
When I tried to search how much information I am revealing over internet, I was surprised by getting over five hundred results and that was the time I planned to re-think over this.
I changed that email to as my public identity and created a private email address for communication with my personal contacts, deleted all the personal stuff posted via public email.
Today I feel proud that I took that step and now i can see no or very little personal information available on internet associated with my public email address and my private email returns no results over internet seach.
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