I regularly blog about privacy issues and the internet in the desire to inform people as to what is possible now because of the internet and the data collected on all of us, either via information we publish ourselves (e.g. social networking, visiting websites), or that others publish about us (e.g. the media, family tree information). At least if people know what information is being published about them the knowledge may assist in them looking after their own interests.
As an example I recently saw the news headline about Julia Gillard returning home to Altona. Based on information relating to Julia Gillard published on the internet it was possible to fairly quickly locate her home, see her home using Google maps and even see a more recent picture of her home with the front fence.
Before the internet the general public would not have had access to any of this information and now it is readily available for everyone with some basic internet search skills.
Whilst it may feel a bit freaky to some people, if you haven't done it before, perhaps now is a good time to check what information is readily available on you. A quick way to check just Australian sites using Google, then Google, then Yahoo and Bing, is to use the Search Australia page I created. To see just pages in Australia (which use Australian domains) just enter the phrase you'd like to search for. To use Google, Yahoo, or Bing, enter the letter g, y, or b, followed by a space and then your search phrase.
If there is one lesson I've learnt from the information on the internet it is, never use your mother's maiden name as a security question with any of the services (e.g. bank accounts) you use. Genealogy information is readily available on the internet for all to see and that includes those people who may wish to hack into your accounts. To use Search Australia click here. Also don't forget you can make Search Australia your default engine by clicking on the Add to Internet Explorer link and selecting the option.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
As an example I recently saw the news headline about Julia Gillard returning home to Altona. Based on information relating to Julia Gillard published on the internet it was possible to fairly quickly locate her home, see her home using Google maps and even see a more recent picture of her home with the front fence.
Before the internet the general public would not have had access to any of this information and now it is readily available for everyone with some basic internet search skills.
Whilst it may feel a bit freaky to some people, if you haven't done it before, perhaps now is a good time to check what information is readily available on you. A quick way to check just Australian sites using Google, then Google, then Yahoo and Bing, is to use the Search Australia page I created. To see just pages in Australia (which use Australian domains) just enter the phrase you'd like to search for. To use Google, Yahoo, or Bing, enter the letter g, y, or b, followed by a space and then your search phrase.
If there is one lesson I've learnt from the information on the internet it is, never use your mother's maiden name as a security question with any of the services (e.g. bank accounts) you use. Genealogy information is readily available on the internet for all to see and that includes those people who may wish to hack into your accounts. To use Search Australia click here. Also don't forget you can make Search Australia your default engine by clicking on the Add to Internet Explorer link and selecting the option.
Kelvin Eldridge
Online Connections
www.OnlineConnections.com.au
Call 0415 910 703 for computer support.
Servicing Templestowe, Doncaster, Eltham and the surrounding area.
No comments:
Post a Comment