I feel that I have to say something to people who carelessly give away personal information on this Forum. The first time I really thought that there was any risk was with a flag that was being created for a player who mentioned to us all that he/she had terminal cancer and since we are like family he/she wanted all of us to be on it, well more specifically he/she asked for real names and signatures. Now it could be a perfectly innocent request but I thought that after every one complied and if you combine that with the information you potentially could get from posts and profiles you could have:

Full Name
Birthday
Home Town
State/province/region
Country
Family names
Photo of them/house/kids/possessions
and worst of all legal Signature.

Thats a pretty good head start for an identity thief or some kook who wants to find you. At the time I urged everyone to sign like an autograph since there is no harm in that. So what should you do...don't post information or photos that give information.

1.Your name: only give those you genuinely trust your full name otherwise stick to game names.
2 Birthday: give a general idea within a few days same with year
3. State and country those are fine to give out unless you are famous there...or infamous...
4. Family, use nicknames that relate to your game names. Thulsa and I call our kids mini Doom and Whip Jr.
5.Signature...only autograph style and game name...or I would ask a a lot of questions as to why that isn't sufficent.
6.Pictures. This is the most important and since everyone seems to be an aspiring Sherlock Holmes you have to assume your pics are being analyzed by at least one person. Here is what I do with the photo BEFORE I post.

1. Remove all the tags attached to the photo, it could have all kinds of info. In windows you simply right click on the image and look at the details tab and at the bottom there is a remove personal information link...see below.



2. Then if you have used that photo else where on the web go to google (www.google.com) click images and drag and drop the image onto the search bar. It will quickly tell you the pages that photo appears on. I don't test a lot of photos or look up on people unless they seem off in some way but I have found someone pretending to be a Russian model, another and a rock stars girlfriend. Recently I found someone is using the pic of a child molester (and don't get all worked up I am sure they didn't know and I'm also sure it's not really them) and I found enough info from one pic to find the persons name, home address, phone number, school, relatives...etc.

Please before some people learn the hard way check your photos and info so you know what you are really posting.

Hey,whiplash you make some good points.

However, you just taught all the want-to-be creepers how to get the names/personal information of of all those pics and profile information. LOL!

Good point and advice though on the photo, and look at the location that I posted on the forum. Can you find my profile name within the world?

Congress wrote: Hey,whiplash you make some good points.

However, you just taught all the want-to-be creepers how to get the names/personal information of of all those pics and profile information. LOL!

Good point and advice though on the photo, and look at the location that I posted on the forum. Can you find my profile name within the world?

I'm in I.T. so in my circle this is common knowledge and at least people can see for themselves before they post! Just ask Polina Chuvashova

DD | v/hiplash wrote: I feel that I have to say something to people who carelessly give away personal information on this Forum. The first time I really thought that there was any risk was with a flag that was being created for a player who mentioned to us all that he/she had terminal cancer and since we are like family he/she wanted all of us to be on it, well more specifically he/she asked for real names and signatures. Now it could be a perfectly innocent request but I thought that after every one complied and if you combine that with the information you potentially could get from posts and profiles you could have:

Full Name
Birthday
Home Town
State/province/region
Country
Family names
Photo of them/house/kids/possessions
and worst of all legal Signature.

Thats a pretty good head start for an identity thief or some kook who wants to find you. At the time I urged everyone to sign like an autograph since there is no harm in that. So what should you do...don't post information or photos that give information.

1.Your name: only give those you genuinely trust your full name otherwise stick to game names.
2 Birthday: give a general idea within a few days same with year
3. State and country those are fine to give out unless you are famous there...or infamous...
4. Family, use nicknames that relate to your game names. Thulsa and I call our kids mini Doom and Whip Jr.
5.Signature...only autograph style and game name...or I would ask a a lot of questions as to why that isn't sufficent.
6.Pictures. This is the most important and since everyone seems to be an aspiring Sherlock Holmes you have to assume your pics are being analyzed by at least one person. Here is what I do with the photo BEFORE I post.

1. Remove all the tags attached to the photo, it could have all kinds of info. In windows you simply right click on the image and look at the details tab and at the bottom there is a remove personal information link...see below.

2. Then if you have used that photo else where on the web go to google (www.google.com) click images and drag and drop the image onto the search bar. It will quickly tell you the pages that photo appears on. I don't test a lot of photos or look up on people unless they seem off in some way but I have found someone pretending to be a Russian model, another and a rock stars girlfriend. Recently I found someone is using the pic of a child molester (and don't get all worked up I am sure they didn't know and I'm also sure it's not really them) and I found enough info from one pic to find the persons name, home address, phone number, school, relatives...etc.

Please before some people learn the hard way check your photos and info so you know what you are really posting.

Ok, Thanks and all, but did you hack in to my computer? I see my name up at the top, please don't steal my $3.00, it's all I have till next week. lol
All kidding aside, good post, thanks

I strongly agree shirley!! great post my friend!! Faces of dogfight is one thread that I shouldn't exist:)

gen~~~~~~~~jack wrote: I strongly agree shirley!! great post my friend!! Faces of dogfight is one thread that I shouldn't exist:)

Thanks Jen! Well perhaps some proof reading on here is good too hahaha....so long as its a fresh picture there is little risk. Have it say on your facebook page that you've left wide open and the info you can gather is scary.

VonHulK wrote:

DD | v/hiplash wrote: I feel that I have to say something to people who carelessly give away personal information on this Forum. The first time I really thought that there was any risk was with a flag that was being created for a player who mentioned to us all that he/she had terminal cancer and since we are like family he/she wanted all of us to be on it, well more specifically he/she asked for real names and signatures. Now it could be a perfectly innocent request but I thought that after every one complied and if you combine that with the information you potentially could get from posts and profiles you could have:

Full Name
Birthday
Home Town
State/province/region
Country
Family names
Photo of them/house/kids/possessions
and worst of all legal Signature.

Thats a pretty good head start for an identity thief or some kook who wants to find you. At the time I urged everyone to sign like an autograph since there is no harm in that. So what should you do...don't post information or photos that give information.

1.Your name: only give those you genuinely trust your full name otherwise stick to game names.
2 Birthday: give a general idea within a few days same with year
3. State and country those are fine to give out unless you are famous there...or infamous...
4. Family, use nicknames that relate to your game names. Thulsa and I call our kids mini Doom and Whip Jr.
5.Signature...only autograph style and game name...or I would ask a a lot of questions as to why that isn't sufficent.
6.Pictures. This is the most important and since everyone seems to be an aspiring Sherlock Holmes you have to assume your pics are being analyzed by at least one person. Here is what I do with the photo BEFORE I post.

1. Remove all the tags attached to the photo, it could have all kinds of info. In windows you simply right click on the image and look at the details tab and at the bottom there is a remove personal information link...see below.

2. Then if you have used that photo else where on the web go to google (www.google.com) click images and drag and drop the image onto the search bar. It will quickly tell you the pages that photo appears on. I don't test a lot of photos or look up on people unless they seem off in some way but I have found someone pretending to be a Russian model, another and a rock stars girlfriend. Recently I found someone is using the pic of a child molester (and don't get all worked up I am sure they didn't know and I'm also sure it's not really them) and I found enough info from one pic to find the persons name, home address, phone number, school, relatives...etc.

Please before some people learn the hard way check your photos and info so you know what you are really posting.

Ok, Thanks and all, but did you hack in to my computer? I see my name up at the top, please don't steal my $3.00, it's all I have till next week. lol
All kidding aside, good post, thanks

It's from the necklace Thulsa posted

I don't hide my identity very well here. I do keep things like passwords, ssn, account numbers, birthdays, and so on very very close. But, I'm a big, ornery, nasty human being if someone tries to harm me or mine, and injury and death really isn't all that scary. With what I've already experienced in this life, I'm quite lucky to still be here. For this reason, I'm not too inclined to be scared of people... I sleep in places that most people would be absolutely terrified to even get out of their car, and I deal with some of the lowest lowlifes on earth. It comes with my job... Mess with my kids, and generations of my family will hunt you like an animal for probably at least half of a century. Seriously.

I guess I should be more scared of people on here, but I'm just not. I try to be a straight shooter with everyone. I realize that not everyone is doing so in return, but that's ok. I meet lots of people everyday, and just take them as they come. 99.5% of the time, we walk away on good terms.

Now with all of this said, if you are a kid, keep your personal info to yourself. There are plenty of people who will try to get in your head and may very well have bad intentions. There are some seriously screwed up people in this world who would love to put you in a situation that you just won't easily be able to get out of. (On a side note, I'm a big fan of public hangings for those types).

Whip, excellent thread. If nothing else, it makes you think a little harder, and if I had a reason to be afraid, or wasn't prepared to deal with whatever comes my way, I would heed your advice. Even if you are less inclined to worry, it's still probably a good idea to stay pretty close to your advice.

Thanks for taking the time to post it.

McIncognito style... Got it.

Btw: don't think I'm being too casual about it all... It's just that this job comes with it's share of issues. It's not like being a soldier or a cop, but then again soldiers and cops have plenty of firepower and assistance when it hits the fan. Truckers are often parked in places that are abandoned, in unsafe areas, and are often alone. The common misconception is that we are carrying a lot of money etc, so some people see us as piggybanks. I've had hour long conversations with Dr Dave where we just tell about all of the different ways other drivers have ended up dead. If you want to do this for a living, you've got to come to terms with it.

Here's a great example of a story I just read within the last couple of weeks... www.kctv5.com/story/24714825/kck-police-...&smartdevicecgbypass

I'm a whole lot more worried about the crazy people I meet face to face than someone online, but I still think your post was excellent.

Jacklpe wrote: I don't hide my identity very well here. I do keep things like passwords, ssn, account numbers, birthdays, and so on very very close. But, I'm a big, ornery, nasty human being if someone tries to harm me or mine, and injury and death really isn't all that scary. With what I've already experienced in this life, I'm quite lucky to still be here. For this reason, I'm not too inclined to be scared of people... I sleep in places that most people would be absolutely terrified to even get out of their car, and I deal with some of the lowest lowlifes on earth. It comes with my job... Mess with my kids, and generations of my family will hunt you like an animal for probably at least half of a century. Seriously.

I guess I should be more scared of people on here, but I'm just not. I try to be a straight shooter with everyone. I realize that not everyone is doing so in return, but that's ok. I meet lots of people everyday, and just take them as they come. 99.5% of the time, we walk away on good terms.

Now with all of this said, if you are a kid, keep your personal info to yourself. There are plenty of people who will try to get in your head and may very well have bad intentions. There are some seriously screwed up people in this world who would love to put you in a situation that you just won't easily be able to get out of. (On a side note, I'm a big fan of public hangings for those types).

Whip, excellent thread. If nothing else, it makes you think a little harder, and if I had a reason to be afraid, or wasn't prepared to deal with whatever comes my way, I would heed your advice. Even if you are less inclined to worry, it's still probably a good idea to stay pretty close to your advice.

Thanks for taking the time to post it.

I'm not talking about fear so much trust me, I collect weapons All I am saying is hassle, lack of piece of mind...and ID theft. Tell me you'd sleep well if Thulsa knew where you lived...that's fear man! I was talking to a rich customer of mine and people like them are one of the biggest targets...they have no mortgage. Someone steals their ID and a $500,000 mortgage and they are on the hook for it. Not a whole lot that can be done at that point I understand. A tip though is have a line of credit against the house even if you don't use it since it will be attached to the title you would be alerted if someone was trying to take a mortgage against it.

EDIT:I knew someone else who lost $30,000 in credit cards that someone set up from reouting their mail using stuff they got from their garbage.

I'm sure there is plenty someone could do with my identity... Like going slowly bankrupt with me. I like the post about the 3 bucks. I feel you man. I make thousands, spend thousands, keep pennies! I do know people that are in the category you speak of. I call them lucky b@st@rds. :)

Jacklpe wrote: Btw: don't think I'm being too casual about it all... It's just that this job comes with it's share of issues. It's not like being a soldier or a cop, but then again soldiers and cops have plenty of firepower and assistance when it hits the fan. Truckers are often parked in places that are abandoned, in unsafe areas, and are often alone. The common misconception is that we are carrying a lot of money etc, so some people see us as piggybanks. I've had hour long conversations with Dr Dave where we just tell about all of the different ways other drivers have ended up dead. If you want to do this for a living, you've got to come to terms with it.

Here's a great example of a story I just read within the last couple of weeks... www.kctv5.com/story/24714825/kck-police-...&smartdevicecgbypass

I'm a whole lot more worried about the crazy people I meet face to face than someone online, but I still think your post was excellent.

I agree even for the simple fact they are right there..but there are sick twisted people that do not belong roaming free and I doubt they play DF

DD | v/hiplash wrote:

Jacklpe wrote: Btw: don't think I'm being too casual about it all... It's just that this job comes with it's share of issues. It's not like being a soldier or a cop, but then again soldiers and cops have plenty of firepower and assistance when it hits the fan. Truckers are often parked in places that are abandoned, in unsafe areas, and are often alone. The common misconception is that we are carrying a lot of money etc, so some people see us as piggybanks. I've had hour long conversations with Dr Dave where we just tell about all of the different ways other drivers have ended up dead. If you want to do this for a living, you've got to come to terms with it.

Here's a great example of a story I just read within the last couple of weeks... www.kctv5.com/story/24714825/kck-police-...&smartdevicecgbypass

I'm a whole lot more worried about the crazy people I meet face to face than someone online, but I still think your post was excellent.

I agree even for the simple fact they are right there..but there are sick twisted people that do not belong roaming free and I doubt they play DF

My big worry with a forum type of thing like this would be the type who would try to privately arrange some kind of meeting with a kid while pretending they were the same age. The other would be the identity thieves. A little common sense goes a long way in these things. I will say, these folks are just amazingly clever, and as of yet, I'm not sure that there is any great way to stop them outside of subscribing to a service like Life Lock. That's probably the wisest way to handle things.

Heck im to old to worry about it. However i did write a book, "HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION". It's a excellent guide for your protection. The book is only $9.99

All you have to do is p.m. me with the following information and the book will be shipped quickly.

Your credit card number, exp date, 3 digit code on back and mailing address. You will not be disappointed. LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF

Davy Crockett wrote: Heck im to old to worry about it. However i did write a book, "HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION". It's a excellent guide for your protection. The book is only $9.99

All you have to do is p.m. me with the following information and the book will be shipped quickly.

Your credit card number, exp date, 3 digit code on back and mailing address. You will not be disappointed. LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF

The updated edition will be titled "LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF, HANDS ON AND IN REAL TIME"

Davy Crockett wrote: Heck im to old to worry about it. However i did write a book, "HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION". It's a excellent guide for your protection. The book is only $9.99

All you have to do is p.m. me with the following information and the book will be shipped quickly.

Your credit card number, exp date, 3 digit code on back and mailing address. You will not be disappointed. LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF

I wonder how many times that joke has been on the forum....well I loved hearing about the guy who made the ad in the newspaper...How To Avoid Scams, Send $5 to P.O. Box...he made tons of money I understand...might be a myth...cool story though

DD | v/hiplash wrote: I feel that I have to say something to people who carelessly give away personal information on this Forum. The first time I really thought that there was any risk was with a flag that was being created for a player who mentioned to us all that he/she had terminal cancer and since we are like family he/she wanted all of us to be on it, well more specifically he/she asked for real names and signatures. Now it could be a perfectly innocent request but I thought that after every one complied and if you combine that with the information you potentially could get from posts and profiles you could have:

Full Name
Birthday
Home Town
State/province/region
Country
Family names
Photo of them/house/kids/possessions
and worst of all legal Signature.

Thats a pretty good head start for an identity thief or some kook who wants to find you. At the time I urged everyone to sign like an autograph since there is no harm in that. So what should you do...don't post information or photos that give information.

1.Your name: only give those you genuinely trust your full name otherwise stick to game names.
2 Birthday: give a general idea within a few days same with year
3. State and country those are fine to give out unless you are famous there...or infamous...
4. Family, use nicknames that relate to your game names. Thulsa and I call our kids mini Doom and Whip Jr.
5.Signature...only autograph style and game name...or I would ask a a lot of questions as to why that isn't sufficent.
6.Pictures. This is the most important and since everyone seems to be an aspiring Sherlock Holmes you have to assume your pics are being analyzed by at least one person. Here is what I do with the photo BEFORE I post.

1. Remove all the tags attached to the photo, it could have all kinds of info. In windows you simply right click on the image and look at the details tab and at the bottom there is a remove personal information link...see below.

2. Then if you have used that photo else where on the web go to google (www.google.com) click images and drag and drop the image onto the search bar. It will quickly tell you the pages that photo appears on. I don't test a lot of photos or look up on people unless they seem off in some way but I have found someone pretending to be a Russian model, another and a rock stars girlfriend. Recently I found someone is using the pic of a child molester (and don't get all worked up I am sure they didn't know and I'm also sure it's not really them) and I found enough info from one pic to find the persons name, home address, phone number, school, relatives...etc.

Please before some people learn the hard way check your photos and info so you know what you are really posting.

Thank you Wip, that's a great post and sure it will be a big help to many of us. I personally have always leaned towards privacy and maintain a low key. You mentioned signatures and photos. Those are two forms of PID (Personal Identification Data) I don't like to give out, outside of official, certified, reasons.
I can't get over how freely most people give their personal info out, such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, to name a few. To me it's insane.
One of the biggest dangers with all of this is when lowlifes have multiple pieces when put together make their illegal pursuit that much easier.
I liked your explanation and instruction on sanitizing photos before posting. Thanks again Wip.
Mach2

Davy Crockett wrote: Heck im to old to worry about it. However i did write a book, "HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION". It's a excellent guide for your protection. The book is only $9.99

All you have to do is p.m. me with the following information and the book will be shipped quickly.

Your credit card number, exp date, 3 digit code on back and mailing address. You will not be disappointed. LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF

THAT WAS FUNNY AS HECK Davey. Still rolling.
On a more serious note ref your offer, if I send you originals of my id and credit cards would you be so kind to return them ASAP. Thank you. Lol
Mach2

Reference to, Para #2 of DD|V/hiplash, initial post

When I read your para 2., it brought to mind a thread I had recently read posted a few weeks ago about a female DF member who had posted pictures supposedly of herself and boyfriend. During a chat/interrogation with the female, her responses attempting to provide some certification of legitimacy only made members more suspicious that resulted in a few whom quickly picked up inaccuracies and began using their investigative talents to find and post some hard to refute evidence proving her photos and claims to be fraudulent. This off course opened up a bantering session.

Point I'm making with this is, QUESTION: do we really know who she is, her real identity and what she truly looks like? Is it possible she intentionally provided all this upon joining with reasons of privacy? If this were true and an armature in the game of cover and deceit she ends up the winner as far as maintaining her anonymity. Possible.

I feel the same as all the other members that it isn't true simply in the flirtatious and bragging way she put out the false info. Most all military Intel units call this'Dis-information' but use it quite effectively.
Anyway just sharing how the question came to mind when reading your post. You guys who spearheaded that unofficial interrogation should consider employment in investigations if not already in it. Nice work.
Mach2

I've given more information to the people of this particular forum than any other website on the internet, and to this day, I still don't fully realize why. I mean, this is a video game forum, when it's all boiled down.

Aside from that, is there any way to terminate a forum account? I know moderators have can delete all the posts a person has made, as well as ban them forever (effectively erasing them from the site), but I doubt a person could do this themselves.

Luna wrote: I've given more information to the people of this particular forum than any other website on the internet, and to this day, I still don't fully realize why. I mean, this is a video game forum, when it's all boiled down.

Aside from that, is there any way to terminate a forum account? I know moderators have can delete all the posts a person has made, as well as ban them forever (effectively erasing them from the site), but I doubt a person could do this themselves.

I'll tell you standard Admin Policy is always disable but archive the account so it can be resurrected if need be.

I created the topic just in time hahaha...your passwords maybe available to hackers for a lot of common services.

This is very important in that your passwords for certain sites I bet a lot of you use have possibly become compromised. Here is an article to tell you which sites and services you will need to change your password on. Basically Facebook, Gmail, Yahoo, Dropbox, and Instagram for me but this has the list.

Security List of Passwords you must change now!

Anonamous will be pissed!

mach2 wrote:

Davy Crockett wrote: Heck im to old to worry about it. However i did write a book, "HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVATE INFORMATION". It's a excellent guide for your protection. The book is only $9.99

All you have to do is p.m. me with the following information and the book will be shipped quickly.

Your credit card number, exp date, 3 digit code on back and mailing address. You will not be disappointed. LEARN TO PROTECT YOURSELF

THAT WAS FUNNY AS HECK Davey. Still rolling.
On a more serious note ref your offer, if I send you originals of my id and credit cards would you be so kind to return them ASAP. Thank you. Lol
Mach2

Yes I will and I promise that I will never use or share any the information with others. Lol

What a nice guy I am