[p203557]

I'm a scepticle type, can't help it. Whilst everyone I've encountered so far on AvForums has been friendly and helpful as the site becomes ever more popular and widespread I fear dishonest people might use it to prey on people. The trading forums are well moderated and there is some good advice on the 'sticky's. Many of us spend a good deal of money on our systems and get advice and encouragement on these pages. This also advertises what expensive kit we have in our homes to anyone who wants to view it either through a signature or via searching on our posts. I don't want to scaremonger but I believe we should all try to protect our identities a bit.

My initial suggestions would be:

Use cryptic usernames (p203557 for example!!!) Especially important if you have an unusual surname.

If posting photo's of your car (motoring pages) or house (for a HC DIY thread) or similar try to avoid your car registration being shown or the house number or any particularly identifying features.

Be careful what you 'post' if it reveals your name or address especially if you are not ex-directory or your details can be found elsewhere in the public domain.

Any other suggestions or comments would be gratefully received.

People on these pages tend to be a very friendly bunch but I would hate to hear of someone having a burglary or robbery due to being targetted through information gleamed from this site.

[Mrs AutomanUK]

I have lots of baby equipment here if you are planning a break in p203557 ! The fisher price swing is the absolute must for all babies, so don't forget to take that one will you... (might need a wash.. see my other thread !! LOL)

[krish]

Originally Posted by p203557

Any other suggestions or comments would be gratefully received.

Don't put your DOB on your profile if you've also got other things like a website and sig etc that make it easy to work out your name and address
- ID fraud potential at the expense of not having a happy birthday thread

[metropolis]

Originally Posted by p203557

I'm a scepticle type, can't help it. Whilst everyone I've encountered so far on AvForums has been friendly and helpful as the site becomes ever more popular and widespread I fear dishonest people might use it to prey on people. The trading forums are well moderated and there is some good advice on the 'sticky's. Many of us spend a good deal of money on our systems and get advice and encouragement on these pages. This also advertises what expensive kit we have in our homes to anyone who wants to view it either through a signature or via searching on our posts. I don't want to scaremonger but I believe we should all try to protect our identities a bit.

My initial suggestions would be:

Use cryptic usernames (p203557 for example!!!) Especially important if you have an unusual surname.

If posting photo's of your car (motoring pages) or house (for a HC DIY thread) or similar try to avoid your car registration being shown or the house number or any particularly identifying features.

Be careful what you 'post' if it reveals your name or address especially if you are not ex-directory or your details can be found elsewhere in the public domain.

Any other suggestions or comments would be gratefully received.

People on these pages tend to be a very friendly bunch but I would hate to hear of someone having a burglary or robbery due to being targetted through information gleamed from this site.

i wouldnt worry too much about this site ,unless of course your window cleaner signs up and tells us all what gear you have got.
my other half is still convinced that our old window cleaner had something to do with stuff going missing from our garden.

[shay0]

Personally, I agree with p203557, you never know who's lurking on the Internet. As well moderated as these forums are, there's a lot of info can be gained about someone, especially through PMs.

[p203557]

Originally Posted by metropolis

i wouldnt worry too much about this site ,unless of course your window cleaner signs up and tells us all what gear you have got.

A quick and easy search of my previous posts lets anyone who wants to know that I've got a panasonic PWD6 plasma panel. Arcam FMJ A32 amp, DV78 DVD Player and PMC OB1 speakers. Some expensive bits of kit, which I've gratefully received advice from others about on here. (Some purchased through the classifieds as well. I don't mind people knowing what kit I've got its people knowing my name and address in combination with that info that would give me cause for concern!!

[Mr.D]

Actually I'm thinking of putting miy identity up on the classifieds ads. i'd prefer a swap but I'll think about selling if the money is right.

Personally I quite fancy being French and blonde if anyone has a suitable identity and is looking to trade let me know.

[Johnny Thunder]

Burglars on the internet? I would be more worried about ******* someone off
over an argument in these forums, and getting murdered.

[jamieuk23]

paranoid

[Ian J]

I do tend to watch out for the more obvious security lapses. In the motoring forum one chap posted links to photos of his very expensive collection of cars (including a Ferrari) on his website and it took me 60 seconds looking at WHOIS to come up with his real name and address. I deleted the link and sent him a PM telling him his name and address much toi his horror.

I also spotted someone in the subwoofer forum who has had quite a few people round listening to his kit telling the world last year that he was off on holiday tomorrow which I edited to "next month". This was last year and the silly sod only did it again this year.

[Beobloke]

Originally Posted by jamieuk23

paranoid

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't out to get you....................

[Nick_UK]

Originally Posted by Ian J

I do tend to watch out for the more obvious security lapses. In the motoring forum one chap posted links to photos of his very expensive collection of cars (including a Ferrari) on his website and it took me 60 seconds looking at WHOIS to come up with his real name and address. I deleted the link and sent him a PM telling him his name and address much toi his horror.

I also spotted someone in the subwoofer forum who has had quite a few people round listening to his kit telling the world last year that he was off on holiday tomorrow which I edited to "next month". This was last year and the silly sod only did it again this year.

Well, you've got nothing to worry about Ian, nobody's going to break in and steal your Tivo

[bitofatit]

Originally Posted by Ian J

I do tend to watch out for the more obvious security lapses. In the motoring forum one chap posted links to photos of his very expensive collection of cars (including a Ferrari) on his website and it took me 60 seconds looking at WHOIS to come up with his real name and address. I deleted the link and sent him a PM telling him his name and address much toi his horror.

I also spotted someone in the subwoofer forum who has had quite a few people round listening to his kit telling the world last year that he was off on holiday tomorrow which I edited to "next month". This was last year and the silly sod only did it again this year.

IJ can you share your thougts on WHOIS - forwarned is 4armed or something!
Ta

[krish]

Originally Posted by bitofatit

IJ can you share your thougts on WHOIS - forwarned is 4armed or something!
Ta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whois

in this case I presume we're talking about querying Nominet's domain registrants database: www.nic.uk/whois
- which in many cases will pull up the site owners name and address

with my domains, I've logged in at nominet - www.nic.uk/replyform - and kept my address details confidential

[DJT75]

I'll happily give out my address if someone guarantees they'll only nick my plasma & nothing else. The insurance money will come in handy to replace it with a newer model

[Ed Selley]

This thread implies that some of us have a choice in the matter...........