StopScum

Anyone can read a Blog.

Some Bloggers need a dose of reality! Maybe you live in a dream world so let me tell you that the Internet is a VERY dangerous place with criminals and slime bags lurking around every corner. When you create a Blog, the entire world can read it. Use your favorite Search Engine and hunt down a target. Remove your sensitive data and it may in fact still be available via the Internet Archive. Don't expect the major free Blogging services to warn you about this problem. I've yet to see them even hint at the perils involved in publishing personal data on your Blog. The other factor which contributes to this rich source of data for a fraudster is the "fad" nature of Blogs with so many of them dealing with life experiences where everyone thinks it's cool to use real data in great detail.

You have been warned!

For over a month I've been researching this issue and my findings are alarming. Just yesterday I found a Blog which included complete real names, a real home address, pictures and full names of the entire family, work history, and current employer. Here are the major issues/data which you should never Publish:

Don't use your full real name

Don't publish your home address

Pictures can be dangerous. If I have your picture and that of your children plus your name and address, it's a trivial task to lurk outside your house and wait for you to leave or follow you down the street.

Don't publish a detailed Biography of your life

Don't publish the name and location of your employer

Don't publish your Date of Birth and or the date (July 6) of your Birthday

Have I scared you?

I certainly hope so. I single sliver of real data on your Blog may in fact be fine, but a Blog which contains numerous personal details about you is an open invitation for the criminals. For example, If you choose to use your real name like Sally Smith and do not provide any other details then you are safe. On the other hand, providing your real home address is never advised since their are numerous ways to find out who lives at a given address, the phone number, or just wait outside your house until you leave.