- Joined
- Sep 19, 2004
- Messages
- 2,547
Many of us have created internet accounts that list our real names, phone numbers, and perhaps more information in at least the contact information section of the service.
Of course we all know that sites such as Yahoo got hacked and most such information was stolen (Yahoo about 2 years ago, if I remember correctly). Most computer security experts figure it's only a matter of when - not if - gmail and the others get hacked as well.
I am now considering canceling all the identifiable pre-existing accounts after what has happened in the last 2 weeks to me; and generating new accounts without such specific information (anonymous accounts) and using a VPN to block my IP address for most cases.
The most recent attack used the data from the Yahoo breach - they were able to identify my business account via a web search using that information and use a relatively sophisticated phishing attack targeted to services I normally use for my business (it did not look like one up front - and I'm pretty good at recognizing the simple ones - only when 2/3 of the way through and it asked me to log in - on a different tab (redirect to another page) did I catch it. I can track this attempt specific to my Yahoo email account due to some unique information that was there. I don't use Yahoo much anymore (it was once hot decades ago and it was one of the early video-conference sites - which I used for internet dating). Mainly now as the a back-up contact email address.
The one a couple weeks is more worrisome as it involved people working for the internet services provider (Company ZYX) accessing my personal information for my prepaid account with them, and then using it against me in a way that caused a lot more inconvenience than loss of money (I was able to block most things, had to explain to a number of people what was going on; but, did loose several hundred which is not worth the efforts to try to recover it). Of course my account with them is now closed and will never be reopened (and I have lost all prepaid amounts).
So, serious questions about how much information I need to provide to whom?... and under what conditions. Why not be anonymous unless I have to actually identify who I am (Bank, Health Insurance, etc).
I don't think this will affect Price-scope at this time as I don't recall having to provide them anything more than a user name. Of course, they do know my IP address.
Heads up everyone: I think you need to carefully consider if gmail, yahoo, etc and many other things actually need to know who you are and have your personal contact information (directly tracable to you: A normal phone number is typically linked to you; a "burner" phone may not be - and even my wife now agrees that I need a relatively untracable burner phone for some things I do). There are legal ways to go dark (if not at least significantly grey) on the web. I know setting up new accounts that protect your privacy takes some effort... but, it will likely be worth it in the future...
I also have LifeLock for major issues (which can take years to clean up for the worst cases). Fortunately, these were small.
I hope this helps others,
Perry
Of course we all know that sites such as Yahoo got hacked and most such information was stolen (Yahoo about 2 years ago, if I remember correctly). Most computer security experts figure it's only a matter of when - not if - gmail and the others get hacked as well.
I am now considering canceling all the identifiable pre-existing accounts after what has happened in the last 2 weeks to me; and generating new accounts without such specific information (anonymous accounts) and using a VPN to block my IP address for most cases.
The most recent attack used the data from the Yahoo breach - they were able to identify my business account via a web search using that information and use a relatively sophisticated phishing attack targeted to services I normally use for my business (it did not look like one up front - and I'm pretty good at recognizing the simple ones - only when 2/3 of the way through and it asked me to log in - on a different tab (redirect to another page) did I catch it. I can track this attempt specific to my Yahoo email account due to some unique information that was there. I don't use Yahoo much anymore (it was once hot decades ago and it was one of the early video-conference sites - which I used for internet dating). Mainly now as the a back-up contact email address.
The one a couple weeks is more worrisome as it involved people working for the internet services provider (Company ZYX) accessing my personal information for my prepaid account with them, and then using it against me in a way that caused a lot more inconvenience than loss of money (I was able to block most things, had to explain to a number of people what was going on; but, did loose several hundred which is not worth the efforts to try to recover it). Of course my account with them is now closed and will never be reopened (and I have lost all prepaid amounts).
So, serious questions about how much information I need to provide to whom?... and under what conditions. Why not be anonymous unless I have to actually identify who I am (Bank, Health Insurance, etc).
I don't think this will affect Price-scope at this time as I don't recall having to provide them anything more than a user name. Of course, they do know my IP address.
Heads up everyone: I think you need to carefully consider if gmail, yahoo, etc and many other things actually need to know who you are and have your personal contact information (directly tracable to you: A normal phone number is typically linked to you; a "burner" phone may not be - and even my wife now agrees that I need a relatively untracable burner phone for some things I do). There are legal ways to go dark (if not at least significantly grey) on the web. I know setting up new accounts that protect your privacy takes some effort... but, it will likely be worth it in the future...
I also have LifeLock for major issues (which can take years to clean up for the worst cases). Fortunately, these were small.
I hope this helps others,
Perry
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