Blogging Safely
An article I wrote on 01/24/08, basically wrote it to some of my friends on a message board to open some eyes. Just wanted to know what others thought…
Hello everyone. (BTW, after writing this, if its in the wrong spot, I’m sorry, I couldn’t figure out the best topic forum to put it in) I just was thinking of some stuff, and decided to write a post regarding it. Simply interested in what others in this community think of the topic.
Let me begin with saying…
For those who don’t know me, quick background list. I’m 21 years old. I work full time. Work a call center that gets really slow in the wintertime, leaving a lot of time for co-workers to become friends, and talk.
Alright, with that being said. Here’s whats going on… I have a blog. I use it for my personal life rants and raves, and I also use it to post my graphics/designs/pixels that I have made. Its my sanctuary. Recently, I’ve added my blog to be password protected. Why would I put my blog on password protect, you might ask? Well, a few weeks ago, I received a comment saying, “Your picture thing doesn’t work for me.” Innocent, right? The thing that struck me as odd, is under the name of the person posted, they simply put, Me. No email address, or URL posted who this person actually is. I asked around to some of my friends, and never received an answer saying, “Yea, that was me.” So, it got me thinking… The website, interweb, is a very VERY public place. I had informed one of my good friends, who also happens to be a co-worker of my site. But, now if something happens between our friendship, do I have to worry about it being spread around work? Probably not, because he’s a good/trusting guy.
The whole point I’m trying to make in between my ramblings is… How safe are we, with blogs? The entire world, can access it. Whoever is going through, and just hopping from link to link, can find it. After they do, depending on how much you post, they could find out anything…
Now, I try to not provide extremely personal information. IE: Full name, Address, etc. But how hard is it to really find out? By looking at previous posts, without me actually spelling out the exact information, I realized that people could find out a LOT about me. While typing, you don’t realize that you reveal so much. For example:
Example A: I explained what I do for work. Basically the quick end of things. But enough information that, if you’re smart, you could figure it out. With ONE search online, you could probably find a directory of all of the businesses with the type of work I do. Knowing that I live in the state that I do, (also with the added information that every state in the US has one), you’ll find the exact place of work. Address, phone number, etc.
Example B: Family members and friends. Simply stated. Without having to try… I reveal my entire list of family and friends. Names and sometimes not. With that information how hard is it, after some searching to find out even more. Someone could probably type in “Nikkole, daughter of… (dad’s name) and (mom’s name).” Now I haven’t tried this, so I can’t be sure that it would work, but you NEVER know. Now they have my last name, which could bring my address, phone number, etc.
With those two examples, you can now see, if someone really wanted to, they could stalk me. After watching me for a short time, they could know exactly what I’m talking about…
So, this is where I ask? How safe are we? Not at all. I attempted to have my blog on password protect. I got a lot of, well for the lack of a better word, crap. “Why would you put it on as password protect, no one is going to take the time to get the password!” or “Having your blog as password protect is going to make you lose friends/readers because they’re not going to want to ask & remember the password.”
I had my blog on password protect for a long time before coming to the conclusion that theres no safe way to keep a blog on the internet. Password protected, or not. I have found a great site which is called Stat Counter Dot Com. Basically you add your website for free, it tells you all the visitors, their IP addresses, vague location, time they visited, returning visits, times, etc. It tells you A LOT of information regarding every person that views your site. It <strong>does not include</strong> names, addresses, or other personal information regarding the user. It just provides enough information that if something happens you’ll have it. Check it out: <a href=”http://www.statcounter.com/” target=”_blank”>StatCounter.com</a>. I know theres no way of protecting yourself, family, or friends from having a blog on a very public internet. The best way to not want to worry about it is to simply not have one. I have a blog simply because I always have. It’s my place to vent, rant, and rave about my life and whats going on. Its a place for me to show off my creative side and do what I want how I want. Its not as public as say; Myspace. You need to know what you’re looking for to find me basically.
So, I end this opinionated topic with this…
The reason I write this out is simply to warn my younger viewers and readers of the dangers. I know parents and adults say this often, “Dont say personal information online!” Personal information is everything. Not just your full name, but also your life. If someone really wanted to find out who you really were, etc. They could.
Want to tell me your opinion? Leave a comment below. *Remember that this is my opinion and I’m simply stating what I believe and feel. You do NOT have to agree with what I have to say. If you disagree do not snap on me saying that I’m stupid or wrong. State your arguement, and close discussion. This is a debatable topic, not something that should be fought over the internet about.
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