The Internet has also brought another thing: A lack of security.
Your very identity is at risk. Your name is at risk. You take a name, and odds are you can find everything from the person's location to their hobbies.
It's a scary world out there, and have an open identity is extremely dangerous. Your name is the key to your location (even your address!), your documents, your E-mail, your friends, your hobbies, your interests, and even your bank account! The thief doesn't even have to be a hacker. Anyone who knows how to use Google can do this to you.
I am a firm believer in not using Social Networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google + (I only use Google + on this account for the purposing of spreading this blog). Think of the power these entities have over you and your family. If Facebook wanted too, they could sell your information to anyone they wanted too, who would then have that same power over you. Millions and millions of people use these sites and clearly know nothing about identity security.
And it doesn't stop there. Here's proof of the risks. When I was researching the Laser project mentioned in Post #2, I stopped by a number of websites compiling information, along with figuring out the cost of similar manufactured lasers. Guess what? I now receive a large number of ads for Laser companies. NOTHING YOU SAY IS SECURE. Nothing you say can ever be deleted from the Internet.
Another scary example also involves adverts. I often see these ads on the side of my E-mail account: WOMAN IN (MY TOWN) DISCOVERS AGING CURE. When I use that same computer in a different town, I get the exact same ad but with a different town name. Think they can't track you? Think again.
This guide will instruct you on how to create a fake identity for yourself. Your identity is your most treasured possession. Our name defines us. If you are not careful, you will be tracked. Ad companies most likely already know what you like to do and where you live.
Remember, your name is the key to the vault of your information, but if you do not post that information it will not be in the "vault". Once you post something, it's on the Internet forever. If you never post it, it is not. Ever. You don't have to go total-incognito, so long as you keep your information close to your heart. Although it is not recommended, you can release your real name from time to time so long as that is the only thing you release.
I have used a fake identity for as long as I have used this great invention called the Internet. Here are my tips for you.
Name: Come up with a new name for yourself. Your Internet identity can have whatever name you choose. As you can tell, mine is Proteus. Just make sure your fake name is different from your real name (Duh).
Address: You should also invent an address. It should not be your real address, unless using a trusted service such as Google or Apple. While it will still be out there, it is less of a risk than giving out your real address every time it is asked for.
ZIP Code: Find a new ZIP Code to correspond with your Address.
Location: I like to use the same state I live in. It is easier to remember, and still very vague. A jailbroken iPhone with Firewall IP will also allow you to protect your location on the go. (Or just location settings OFF).
Gender: Doesn't matter. Male or Female, whatever you want. I personally find it a bit... creepy... to imitate someone of the other gender, but hey, it's your choice. For some reason, GMail has an option to set your Gender as "Other". Despite how strange that is, feel free to pick it.
Birth Date: Probably keep the same year, but change the day and month.
Interests: This is a gray zone. You can either use your real interests, or you can use fake ones. It doesn't matter, but you will be slightly more secure using fake interests. The only annoying thing is, if you (for example) post that your like lasers, you will get laser ads. Some of those ads might actually be interesting. But if you say that you enjoy designing shoes (no offense to shoe designers) you may find yourself with loads of shoe ads that you really don't care about.
Remember to store these ON PAPER. More secure than a document.
Lastly, decide if you want to admit if you have a fake identity. As you can see, I have shared that this is fake with you. You don't have too.
Above all, I do not recommend Facebook or Twitter to anyone hoping to protect their identity. I realize I am 1 in 100 on this topic, but that is my opinion. Of course, it is always your choice.
If this is too difficult (although it shouldn't be), you can always use the cheater method. www.fakenamegenerator.com will give you a fake name, address, and loads of other stuff.
On one final note: It is never too late to protect your identity, but the longer you go with your real name the less security you have. I am proud to say that my name has less than 10 results if thrown up in Google, and even less than that give any information on me. You can probably find my month and day of birth along with my approximate location. I recommend you try to be the same.
Questions? Use the comment function!
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