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Don't talk to strangers... (Reply to this comment)
by WulfsDen
http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-55FA-A1B1F36-39635816-prod4
I totally agree. I wrote a review on the same topic a few years back. Check it out if you get a chance.
Ed
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Jun 04 '02
7:11 am PDT
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Great advice... (Reply to this comment)
by lkvanvoorhis
here. There are some real sickos out there - I hope none of us get to meet any of them. You advice is very wise.
Thanks,
Kelley
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May 18 '02
5:43 am PDT
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The best advice (Reply to this comment)
by artbyjude
I have ever read on Internet Security. One needs to be less trusting ...and it is a tragedy that it is so. Jude
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May 02 '02
1:51 am PDT
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Helen (Reply to this comment)
by kristinafh
Lisa_J just started a Parenting BB. I think you should send her this link :).
Kristina
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May 01 '02
9:56 am PDT
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I will be thinking again ... (Reply to this comment)
by mridula
over what I have posted at my profile page! You have made me thoughtful. Thank you.
mridula
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May 01 '02
7:22 am PDT
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hi pogo (Reply to this comment)
by CyndiA
Am I the member you mention who had the job contact by a nut at Epinions? I sure did! You just never know . . .
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Apr 28 '02
5:33 pm PDT
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Thank you for writing this. (Reply to this comment)
by scully81873
This is a great piece. I never thought about the picture thing and how it could lead someone to your home.
SCARY!
--JGO
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Apr 26 '02
6:54 am PDT
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. (Reply to this comment)
by radioguy
This brings up an interesting issue with this site. Epinions clearly encourages people to post their photographs. In fact, that's the only way to get posted as a "Featured Writer" or whatever they call it.
Of course, they don't bother to check to see if the "photo" is actually one of a human or of, let's say, a soup can, but the fact remains that they are encouraging a practice which goes against the practice of safe Summer surfing, as you have helpfully enumerated here.
RG
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Apr 24 '02
2:52 pm PDT
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You touched on my favorite pet peeve (Reply to this comment)
by Penguinlady
I don't have kids, but it appalls me when I see people out in public with their kids wearing little T-shirt or caps with their names on them for every weirdo to see. All kids - I hope - are taught not to go with strangers, but when you're three years old, how much of a stranger is someone who knows your name?
I've even been known to approach adults in the mall and gently mention that anyone who knows their child's name could easily coax the child away. At the best, I've gotten blank stares, and at worst, a couple of parents have told me to mind my own f'ing business.
Keep at it!
Margaret
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Apr 23 '02
9:57 pm PDT
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Some Most Helpful, If Sad Information Here (Reply to this comment)
by kcfoxy
This does a big, big service to our little cyber Community, Helen! Which reminds me to be off to my own profile page and delete some information about what I collect, where I live, et. al.
Too bad predators are out there, or sick folks even exist to ruin things for others, but fore-warned is fore-armed and this splendid editorial goes a long way toward the sort of consciousness raising hippie chicks like me need!
Your Cyber Sis,
Agent Purple Moi
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Apr 20 '02
5:02 am PDT
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Re: Re: Hate to be the wind blowing at the candle... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
Thank you for the (sad) followup, Petra.
Well, not 'thank you', but you know what I mean...
sleeper54
"Stop ratings inflation !! Just don't start with my! review !!"
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Apr 18 '02
11:44 am PDT
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Re: Hate to be the wind blowing at the candle... (Reply to this comment)
by Petra
Has anyone known, or heard of, an epinions member's child or family that was physically, real-world, threatened by a stranger through identifying information presented here on the site ??
Hate to put that candle back on, but YES. When I e-mailed someone who rated a review of mine and said I couldn't see where in the state they were from from their profile, they told me they had removed that info when someone threatened to come by and kill their kids.
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Apr 17 '02
1:10 pm PDT
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Break off signal... (Reply to this comment)
by ladycynic
Ops has been notified, see Saul for instructions on next level coordination
Agent Lima Charlie
Mike
India
Bravo
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Apr 17 '02
12:15 pm PDT
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Re: sleeper54 has been convinced... (Reply to this comment)
by pogomom
You are a true gentleman. Thanks for posting both comments, you also gave me much food for thought.
As far as I'm concerned, T.W., you are one class act!
Your newest fan,
Helen
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Apr 14 '02
8:32 pm PDT
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Better to be Safe than Sorry. (Reply to this comment)
by irbykb
To anyone who has read this review and still hasn't decided to remove all personal information than could potentially lead dangerous stalkers to your home,
please let me remind you that it's better to be safe than sorry.
Thanks Helen!
katie
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Apr 14 '02
7:56 pm PDT
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sleeper54 has been convinced... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
pogomom's polite reply to me, both here and in a private e-mail, has convinced me that, yes, there are documented cases of real-world physical and mental harassment by evil people, made possible from 'cyber-info'.
I issued my 'call' for some proof because I have always heard stories of kids and others being stalked and harassed due to WWW/internet information. Yet, when I have asked for 'proof' in other forums/usenet groups/communities I have never been provided information or convinced of the danger.
Pogomom's reply/information has convinced me. Why is this community able to provide evidence that I found compelling ?? Because this community is open and trusting, perhaps to a fault. Because this community does care about the other members. Because this community does seek to nourish and protect its own.
Why was I reluctant to raise the matter of proof? Because I did not want to perceived as 'dissing' the fears and concerns of this community. Because--by the grace of God--this 'problem' has never touched my family or any of my personal acquaintances, that I am aware of. Because I don't want to recognize the evil that exists in our world.
I thank Helen/pogomom for her understanding of my comment's intention and for her generous and open sharing of personal horrors that I would not wish on my enemies.
In response to her essay, the comments of others and her responses, I have indeed changed my user page info slightly. And the info and push that made that happen was indeed Most Helpful to me.
sleeper54
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Apr 12 '02
10:24 pm PDT
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Re: That is some of the best (Reply to this comment)
by Suzer
I understand what you are saying Barbara. We do have a "private group", and as long as your email address is hidden on any ancillary group you join on that site, no last name, no exact location, no company name, you are careful about your password and other info provided it should be okay. Also ensure of course your profile page etc. on epinions/internet is sufficiently vague.
We all have to be cautious. Oh, also, everyone, I read somewhere that you should be careful not to use your kids or pets, spouses or significant other's names as passwords if you openly discuss them on any group with which you are involved.
Suzi
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Apr 12 '02
9:45 am PDT
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Re: Hate to be the wind blowing at the candle... (Reply to this comment)
by pogomom
I usually do not respond to comments, I appreciate them more than you might believe but, sometimes the response ends up in a war of wits - I am sadly unarmed in that capacity.
You bring up some valid points and I understand the that if you, personally, have not been the target of a stalker, cyber or otherwise, my editorial seems a bit over the top.
You wrote:
"Has anyone known, or heard of, an epinions member's child or family that was physically, real-world, threatened by a stranger through identifying information presented here on the site ??"
I sent you an email outlining specific incidents - one very recent - of Epinions members and a friend's experience with cyber-stalkers turning into real world stalkers.
One highly respected Epinions member became aware of the change in venue of her stalker when her employer first received an email from the man. That was followed by phone calls to her family and coworkers. She was fortunate, the man was stopped before he physically harmed her. Out of respect for her privacy, I won't name names - besides, she made it public in this same Community Center category a few months ago. Dredging up the particulars may entice someone to start the harassment again.
It could be that I am a bit more passionate about this subject since I was the target a couple of years ago. The watered down particulars are still posted on this site at:
http://www.epinions.com/user-review-D19-896F5CE-38F20655-prod6
In my situation, the cyberstalker started off just embarrassing me on the Internet - it took a while before the culprit decided to let me know he could show up at any moment. I received that information via snail-mail at my home address - the envelope showed no postmark or other official markings. I did not post my name, city or other information, only my alias and email address supplied by a local ISP. That was enough to pinpoint my whereabouts.
As far as I am concerned, I view your comment as a most welcome opposing view, not an affront. My intent is to reach those individuals who have no clue what posting too much information can result in and not to preach to the choir. You feel comfortable sharing your location and full name with anyone who happens upon your reviews and profile page. Each one of us determines what level of contact and privacy is acceptable in our personal comfort zones.
Thanks for taking the time to comment, you gave me much food for thought.
Helen
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Apr 12 '02
8:15 am PDT
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I have used . . . (Reply to this comment)
by gungian
. . . similar examples in some of my business and ethics courses.
I am constantly amazed at the number of my adult students who have every iota of personal information on their personal website. Then the seem surprised that they attract unsolicited attention.
We are wise to always consider the risk/return trade off in other than monetary terms.
Nicely done.
Write On!
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Apr 12 '02
5:15 am PDT
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Hate to be the wind blowing at the candle... (Reply to this comment)
by sleeper54
...but lets think about this.
Has anyone known, or heard of, an epinions member's child or family that was physically, real-world, threatened by a stranger through identifying information presented here on the site ??
Does anyone have a link to a real-world, reliable, respected news source that documents a known, proven case of a child being put at risk due to information present on any web-site ??
Just to play the devil's advocate (which could be misconstrued in this forum/community!) I think this 'fear' of the internet bogey-man is similar to a virus e-mail that just gets passed on and on and on.
(But yes, I still think the ideas presented in this review/essay are probably reasonable.)
So please. Post the link. Not what you heard from someone at work whose b-i-l knew someone who...
I would be sad to hear of a documented case but it would make it 'real' to me...
sleeper54
...who is worried how this comment will be perceived...and the reaction that might follow...:-|
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Apr 11 '02
7:41 pm PDT
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That is some of the best (Reply to this comment)
by ifif1938
advice I ever read..Recently I put a few of my pictures on the epinionated TR/Editors group and was a little unsure of leaving the one I put on about of my grandbabies....they are in the bathtub and it's the cutest picture but I did wonder if I was doing the right thing..I left it there since I really dont' have a lot of personal info listed there and besides, you know it really is a closed group and you have to be a member to use it..at least I think so...Hope I haven't made a mistake...
:)
Barbara
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Apr 11 '02
8:02 am PDT
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Most Helpful Points (Reply to this comment)
by jlava73
and Very Important ones. I think sometimes
people get a false sense of security when sitting behind the safety of a computer screen, and don't even realize that there are also risks in revealing too much about yourself, After all you would not leave your child in the care of someone you did not know well or give out your SSN# to a stranger.
Thank You for writing this informative and insightful piece.
Best,
Jenn
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Apr 11 '02
7:44 am PDT
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I hope every member on this (Reply to this comment)
by msmorvay
site reads what you have just written. All the information you provided is soooo important. A lot of people really need to know the dangers of posting children's photos and other personal information. Every time I see a profile page with a cute little child on it I worry and hope that, that picture is not found by the wrong people. Thank you for stating so elegantly what really needed to be said.
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Apr 11 '02
5:55 am PDT
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The (Reply to this comment)
by lynus
fears you talk about here are very real. Although I don't have children yet - when I do, I'm likely to post pictures online for family to see, but put them behind a password protected entry door.
Everytime I post my resume online, I'm always afriad of something "else" (not a HR person) finding it and mailing me, calling me, emailing me, - or even worse deciding to just stop by my front door.
Thanks for the warning - I hope many people read it and think twice before posting a lot of their public information on the web. As for me, well, they can know my name, my e-mail, (although I use a seperate one for all online club activities - and another email for personal stuff).
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Apr 10 '02
4:48 pm PDT
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I so agree with you (Reply to this comment)
by jo.com
It amazes me... I wouldn't even put my kids' names on their t-shirts when they were little! I have a pic of them on my webpage but it was when they were little. I suppose someone could age them, but that would be so unlikely. There are so many ready and willing to go. Even now I have a pic of them with sunglasses on and you really can't see who they are BUT with technology, those glasses can some off. Uh uh..even as adults, I protect them. jo
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Apr 10 '02
3:56 pm PDT
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I agree. (Reply to this comment)
by patsyv
Genealogy websites are another danger. Many people list every bit of information about every member of their extended family on their websites, evidently trying to prove how much information they have managed to collect. I have a cousin who did this. I certainly did not appreciate having my birthdate and mother's maiden name published on his website. After I complained, he reluctantly removed this information, but the rest of the family is still at risk, as my branch of the family is the only one he deleted.
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Apr 10 '02
2:16 pm PDT
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I agree... (Reply to this comment)
by bornain
...with you 100%. I've seen the same mistake over and over and of course, tried to contact the members to warn them about security issues. I think epinionators are doing this to increase the people that trust them, but I also think it's just not worth it.
People should trust others based on their reviews. Naturally, including some info on the profile page is useful to get to know who are you trusting, but not to the point of sacrificing the security of you and your loved ones.
Personally, I take into account the quality of the reviews rather than to know where exactly do you live. Photos are okay, but then again, being careful not to include personal identifiable info is the trick.
Thanks for making this public and I hope the people on this great community take measures to correct these terrible mistakes.
~Paul~
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Apr 10 '02
1:37 pm PDT
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Helen~~ (Reply to this comment)
by Lark729_89
You have a MAJOR POINT HERE and I'm glad you wrote about it.
I read a review called "I Know Where You Live" once about a month ago and I forgot who wrote it but it made a friend of mine stop and think and change profile page and homepage. I shall e-mail your review also to another friend I just met.
Thanks for this most helpful review.
Carol
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Apr 10 '02
1:35 pm PDT
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