Posting photos on the web and safety concerns

[jimbug]

I guess being in the "younger generation" (I'm 23), I don't have a problem with the availability of information available about a person on the internet. I grew up with this technology, and as long as you are safe with it, I don't see a problem. Posting your (or your child's) picture is no different than it being in a school yearbook, a newspaper, on the local news for the scout troop helping the needy, or whatever else. ANYONE who wants to can get their hands on these items just as easy as they can find a Webshots or Flickr image of someone. Do most of you realize that even small local newspapers have online versions? If you or your child's name is in the paper, one can do a Google search and usually find the article. You'll be identified by first and last name - sometimes even a picture - and can probably be traced to your hometown if it isn't mentioned outright in the article. (You know, Bobby Smith, age 17 at Westmoore High School in Moore, OK...you get the picture.)

 

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the internet poses no more risk than any other media outlet. Posting vacation pictures is not going to put you at risk. I suppose if you gave first and last name, hometown, and some other identifying info, that *might* be asking for trouble, but even then, what is someone going to do with that info? Look you up in the phonebook? (Which, by the way, is also available online.)

 

Again, what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid of modern internet technology. It's just another media venue, and no more dangerous (although quicker) than any other form of media or information source.

 

So yes, I've got my location in my CruiseCritic posts, sometimes I even sign my posts with my real first name, and my email is probably in my profile. Big deal. My university posted first/last names, email, home mailing address, major, and year in school on the internet for all to see. We're a large university with over 25,000 students. CruiseCritic or photo-sharing is the least of my worries...haha.

[superjerryw]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the internet poses no more risk than any other media outlet. Again, what I'm trying to say is don't be afraid of modern internet technology. It's just another media venue, and no more dangerous (although quicker) than any other form of media or information source.

 

Sorry, but you are way off base. The Internet poses a far greater risk than other media sources. Radio, TV, newspapers, etc. are media venues that only distribute information, they don't really collect it. The Internet, because of its two way nature is a fertile breeding ground for people with bad intentions. Do you know what identity theft is, do you know what phishing is. For those that might not know what phishing is, let me give a brief explanation. A hacker will mass mail an E-mail message to millions of people telling them that there is a problem with their Ebay account or their PayPal account or their bank account and that they need to visit a special web page to update their account infromation or their account will be suspended. The bogus web page will then collect the users ID and password so the hacker can use it himself to loot their accounts. Let's not forget hackers that send messages with embedded viruses, trojans and worms that can take control of or even destroy a users computer.

 

In addition, there are laws that govern radio, TV, newspapers, etc. There are no laws that effectively govern what transpires on the Internet since it is international in nature. To say that the Internet is not dangerous is extremely naive.

[ksoze]

Posting vacation pictures is not going to put you at risk. I suppose if you gave first and last name, hometown, and some other identifying info, that *might* be asking for trouble, but even then, what is someone going to do with that info? Look you up in the phonebook? (Which, by the way, is also available online.)

 

The risk may be minimal, but it still there. As far as finding out information when it is not explicitly given, forget about it. The trail you leave will allow anyone the ability ot get all the information they need even if you thought you were careful at the time.

[ElvisandTracey]

I admit that I have given this a thought before. My 6 year old will be with us on our next cruise and I purposely left his name out of the "roll call". I would also NEVER give out our cabin number for that very reason.

 

Once I posted a link to some previous cruise photos and then felt a little "check" in my gut because I worried that someone might see my 6 year old, realize he would be with us on our next cruise....and then lots of horrible thoughts filled my head.

 

I don't have a problem with Cruise Arizona's post, but you do pose some interesting thoughts.....

 

I don't have a "problem" with Arizona's thread, I was only wondering out loud if she ever gave any thought to the risks of posting photos of her kids-the photos are great, I only hope there are no wackos out there to take advantage.

 

People are free to post what they want, but I hope they also consider the huge numbers of people they are reaching, and there are probably one or two bad apples in our CC tree-unfortunately.

[jimbug]

Sorry, but you are way off base. The Internet poses a far greater risk than other media sources. Radio, TV, newspapers, etc. are media venues that only distribute information, they don't really collect it. The Internet, because of its two way nature is a fertile breeding ground for people with bad intentions. Do you know what identity theft is, do you know what phishing is. For those that might not know what phishing is, let me give a brief explanation. A hacker will mass mail an E-mail message to millions of people telling them that there is a problem with their Ebay account or their PayPal account or their bank account and that they need to visit a special web page to update their account infromation or their account will be suspended. The bogus web page will then collect the users ID and password so the hacker can use it himself to loot their accounts. Let's not forget hackers that send messages with embedded viruses, trojans and worms that can take control of or even destroy a users computer.

 

In addition, there are laws that govern radio, TV, newspapers, etc. There are no laws that effectively govern what transpires on the Internet since it is international in nature. To say that the Internet is not dangerous is extremely naive.

 

No, I'm not naive--and yes, I know what phishing, viruses, and identity theft are. However, if you are bright enough not to open messages from those you don't know, and not to click on a link that claims it is your bank wanting to verify your account number, that greatly reduces your risk for identity theft. Obviously you wouldn't enter your SS#, credit card #, or personal info unless it was a site you knew and trusted, and could verify as secure and legit. Yes, there are ways to verify the security of websites.

 

As for the internet being more dangerous for identity theft - the reason why is because people carelessly enter their information onto a million different websites without realizing what they are doing. It's not because of the "nature" of the technology - it's because good people don't think, and bad people capitalize on that. However, think about it next time you write a check at a store. If that clerk is not honest, they can get all the information in the world about you from the front of your check, including date of birth, driver's license and SS#, if your state uses those as the same (ours still does to some extent). ....far more than enough to open up new credit accounts in your name.

 

Anyhow, I'm not tryingi to scare or bother anyone. Just a reminder to be careful but not to be afraid of technology. A lot of people fear the internet because of all the bad things they hear and may have even experienced, but keep in mind that almost everything bad on the internet can be protected by the sensibility and smarts of the user. (i.e., don't open or click on suspicious messages and links, never give out info unless you know what it is for (and can verify it), etc, etc.)

[jimbug]

I guess what I also wanted to add is going back to the original topic of this post - posting your vacation pictures is not putting you at risk!!! If someone wants to do something "dirty" with them, they could do that with a picture of anyone, and it could be from a magazine or newspaper just as easily as it could be online. By dirty I mean something done in the privacy of their own home (yuck), rather than hunting you down to do malicious things. (PS, how can someone hunt you down if all they have is a picture and first name? Arizona's a big place!)

[ElvisandTracey]

I guess what I also wanted to add is going back to the original topic of this post - posting your vacation pictures is not putting you at risk!!! If someone wants to do something "dirty" with them, they could do that with a picture of anyone, and it could be from a magazine or newspaper just as easily as it could be online. By dirty I mean something done in the privacy of their own home (yuck), rather than hunting you down to do malicious things. (PS, how can someone hunt you down if all they have is a picture and first name? Arizona's a big place!)

 

Just a question-do you have small children?? If you don't, perhaps you can't really understand the point I am trying to make.

 

I for one am also from the "younger generation" and do not fear the internet, but I also live in Los Angeles, realm of kitty porn, adult theaters, and every type of weirdo known to man. So I would never, ever post my sons' photos, end of story.

 

I don't fear the net, but I know many people use it in ways that I don't approve of, so I would never put my kids at risk. I am not suggesting that I am afraid that someone will show up at my doorstep because I am on this site, but I do know that its very common for pedophiles to use the net and innocent photos for their purposes-anyone unaware of that fact is just naive.

 

So anyone is free to post whatever photos they want-wives, kids, dogs, go ahead, but don't for a second believe that someone out there isn't using them for some purpose that you would probably not approve of.

[bouhunter]

I'm not sure it's all that "risky" to post pictures on the web. Odds that some wacko would latch onto them and stalk you down are very very remote.

 

But I still wouldn't post pictures of my family, because to me it it justs sounds wierd to want to share them with people you don't really know.

[ElvisandTracey]

I guess I'm gonna have to be the one to break it all down here, in easy to understand language that is still allowed on this site:

 

I don't want some nutcase pulling his taffee while looking at photos of my sons-

 

I also don't want some nutcase copying and downloading photos of my sons onto some pedophile share network-they have them you know-they don't even need to be nude photos, just photos of kids, just like the ones some people choose to post on their websites.

 

I am not afraid that these people will somehow materialize on my doorstep, I just don't want them having images of my kids-it's just gross!!

[superjerryw]

No, I'm not naive-- ...However, if you are bright enough not to open messages from those you don't know... ...It's not because of the "nature" of the technology - it's because good people don't think, and bad people capitalize on that...

 

Sounds pretty naive to me. Do you know how many people have gotten virus infections on their computer because they opened a message from someone they did know and they did trust because the other persons computer was infected. Did you know that there are viruses that look in your E-mail address book and then send themselves to all the people in your address book and the resulting message looks like it came from you. Do you know how easy it is to spoof the header in an E-Mail so it looks like it is coming from someone you know when it is not. Do you know what IP spoofing is. Do you know how seemingly legitimate pieces of software load additional helper applications that gather information about you to send back to the manufacturer.

 

Do you have anti-virus software on your computer, a firewall, anti-spyware software. If so, why do you have them, because the "nature" of the technology is inherently dangerous. The minute you connect a computer to the Internet it is at risk of being attacked. To believe that being smart and being prudent is the only thing necessary to protect yourself on the Internet is pure folly.

 

By the way, if you think there is no real risk, why do you not even have an E-mail address in your Cruise Critic profile....:rolleyes:

[jimbug]

I guess I'm gonna have to be the one to break it all down here, in easy to understand language that is still allowed on this site:

 

I don't want some nutcase pulling his taffee while looking at photos of my sons-

 

I also don't want some nutcase copying and downloading photos of my sons onto some pedophile share network-they have them you know-they don't even need to be nude photos, just photos of kids, just like the ones some people choose to post on their websites.

 

I am not afraid that these people will somehow materialize on my doorstep, I just don't want them having images of my kids-it's just gross!!

 

ElvisandTracey,

I totally understand your fears and concerns. I agree that is a disgusting thing to imagine, let alone realize that it does happen more often than we even want to know. My only point is that it's going to be very hard to protect your children from something like that happening. If their picture was ever published anywhere - a yearbook, a classmate's personal website, the newspaper, a magazine, your local news - if someone wanted to, they could get ahold of that picture for whatever purposes. Hell, if someone really wanted to, they could snap a pic of your kid (without you knowing it) as they were walking down the street. My point is that yes, it is a sick and disgusting thing....but that it's darn near impossible to prevent any chance of that ever happening. Especially once your kids get old enough to where all the kids have their own websites (blogs, xangas, whatever) and post every pic imaginable of themselves and their friends, all for innocent reasons. So, my thing is that if I want to share my vacation pictures (with kids or not) with my CC friends or my friends & relatives who live far away, I will put them on a website and not be afraid. I'm just not going to live in fear of the somewhat inevitable, unfortunately.

[jimbug]

Sounds pretty naive to me. Do you know how many people have gotten virus infections on their computer because they opened a message from someone they did know and they did trust because the other persons computer was infected. Did you know that there are viruses that look in your E-mail address book and then send themselves to all the people in your address book and the resulting message looks like it came from you. Do you know how easy it is to spoof the header in an E-Mail so it looks like it is coming from someone you know when it is not. Do you know what IP spoofing is. Do you know how seemingly legitimate pieces of software load additional helper applications that gather information about you to send back to the manufacturer.

 

Do you have anti-virus software on your computer, a firewall, anti-spyware software. If so, why do you have them, because the "nature" of the technology is inherently dangerous. The minute you connect a computer to the Internet it is at risk of being attacked. To believe that being smart and being prudent is the only thing necessary to protect yourself on the Internet is pure folly.

 

By the way, if you think there is no real risk, why do you not even have an E-mail address in your Cruise Critic profile....:rolleyes:

 

Oh Lord, here we go....

Without rehashing every single one of the points you made in your post, I'm going to simply say that I protect my computer and myself not because the internet is bad, but because people do bad things via the internet. I can honestly say that in the past few years since I have learned how to protect my network, I have not had a single virus, worm, bad email, or even any spyware/helper software because I KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR. I don't download software from the internet unless it's absolutely necessary - and even then I do a custom install so I only get what I want, and not a bunch of "innocent" spyware. My email program scans every single incoming and outgoing email, regardless of whether the person is recognized in my address book, etc. I spend 6-8 hours a day (or more) on the internet and still have not had a problem because I know how to protect myself. I realize that the average person may not have as much knowledge as I do on the subject, but it is certainly useful to have.

 

And, as for my email address in my CC profile, I thought it was already there. Guess not. Heaven knows I've given it out to enough people on here, it's not like I'm hiding it. To prove a point, here you go - jimmie@ou.edu. Send away - my virus and spam blocker will give their assistance. :)

[ElvisandTracey]

ElvisandTracey,

I totally understand your fears and concerns. I agree that is a disgusting thing to imagine, let alone realize that it does happen more often than we even want to know. My only point is that it's going to be very hard to protect your children from something like that happening. If their picture was ever published anywhere - a yearbook, a classmate's personal website, the newspaper, a magazine, your local news - if someone wanted to, they could get ahold of that picture for whatever purposes. Hell, if someone really wanted to, they could snap a pic of your kid (without you knowing it) as they were walking down the street. My point is that yes, it is a sick and disgusting thing....but that it's darn near impossible to prevent any chance of that ever happening. Especially once your kids get old enough to where all the kids have their own websites (blogs, xangas, whatever) and post every pic imaginable of themselves and their friends, all for innocent reasons. So, my thing is that if I want to share my vacation pictures (with kids or not) with my CC friends or my friends & relatives who live far away, I will put them on a website and not be afraid. I'm just not going to live in fear of the somewhat inevitable, unfortunately.

 

I do agree with you that there is danger for kids everywhere, I guess I'm just not willing to make it any easier for the bad guys then it already is. Posting photos of kids on the net is just like opening the door and inviting them in-they are gonna have to work much harder than that if they want to get anything with my kids' names or faces. But we are all free to do what we want, so for those comfortable with posting photos, post away:D

[Nantucketer]

You really do have to be careful about the information that you share on the web.

 

eddeb

 

From your post I can guess your first names, (Ed and Deb), that your last name is Moore and that you live in Tampa, Fl. If someone really wanted to find you and your family they could. In todays world I really wouldn't want that much information shared with the world on the internet, especially with young children involved. Unfortunetly we do all have to be careful.