Today, in the times of freedom, unlimited options and great technology, there is something to be careful about – your privacy. Some people really don’t care, but if you do, I have got some tips, based on true events. All what I want to say is simple: Be careful.
 

1. HO(S)TEL REVIEWS. In few years you might not want others to know that you commented on “dirty showers and more cockroaches than toilet paper” in backpackers hostel.
You might also not want your professors to see you rated Sahara Regency Hotel “a great value for the money” when claiming you were at home with a terrible flu.

2. AMAZON WISHLIST. It is an incredibly rich source of private information on what kind of literature and DVDs one purchases. If you allow yours to be public, no problem, just make sure you untag the Kamasutra (the one you want as a birthday present for a friend).

3. PETITIONS. Don’t sign everything just to get rid of that annoying guy who stopped you in the street. Otherwise you may appear on lists supporting funny causes such as “Stop chasing Falun Gong” and similar.

4. The last, but not least, facebook. No need to say more.


You might tend to think that nobody googles your name. Maybe not, but it is more common than an average person thinks. There are many stories about the employers finding out something they should have not, no need to repeat that.

In Austria for example, there is a website called 123people at which promises “Everything you needed to know about (1^st name)(2^nd name)” A whole stalking project! And you know what is the worst? I typed 123people to Google right now and this website is not Austrian, you have the same in US, France, Germany and other countries. See, this goes behind one’s imagination.

I updated my knowledge and the fact is that 123people offers e-mail addresses, phone numbers, photos, videos, there is a tag cloud, list of articles, documents and websites connected to the person. The users can add more information and receive the latest news on the victim. Remember it can be you too, even if you live in a country, where 123people did not expand yet.

Stalking is a game for adults, when you don’t pay attention, you end up loosing it. If you pay attention, you can just smile and agree with this quote:

Are you stalking me? Because that would be super. (Ryan Reynolds)