Simple question: Is it possible to identify someone

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. I pointed out yesterday that it is ridiculously easy to find people online.

You are not using your name...so you should be safer, guard it well...here are things to look at your profile. Do you have your city? Though many of us do not make it a secret. So knowing a city is the first thing people need. If you have a real name peppered anywhere...that makes it even easier for a nefarious party.

Alas from your user name I can guess what area of the country you live in...whether you do or not, it still narrows any initial search.

If you got a listed telephone it's just a matter of literally looking for you in the white pages if anywhere you gave your actual name.

Use any of the search tools online. Juries got their panties in a bunch when I listed them though trying to educate people. Use a free one, no use in paying for it for the exercise And go look for yourself. You will be shocked what you will find.

Some steps you can take.

1.- look for yourself in the online white pages...if you are there...most people are, remove the listing, dime on the dollar it has your physical address, they got the tool there. After that, there is a reason why you should have an unlisted number. If yours is listed, change it.

2.- review all your social media. Facebook pages are, for example, peppered with info nosy reporters, or perps can use. Such as...significant others, present, past jobs, relationships. If you should get in legal trouble, your friends map can become evidence. Your friends pages will give things away. Yeah, yeah social media is great, but has a dark side.

3.- LinkedIn is especially bad. Yeah, HR uses it to search talent, so you need a resume...essentially...but that info is amazing if somebody wants to find you.

You ever wonder how reporters found where people live in a town after an accident, scandal, what have you? Let the fingers fly over the Google. And this is just the basic stuff. Pulling public records, such as marriage, divorce, birth, death and criminal records is just a tad more complex, but not by much. Some municipalities require a fee.

Yesterday after the revelation I did point what vulnerabilities she needs to remove from her social media to bravenack. I just used the same exact skills I use when looking for info on a person as a reporter. They are what I just told you. We live in a society where privacy already is a fond memory.

Oh and on edit...this just makes it harder for reporters or nefarious parties...but you are online, you can be found.