How "Available" are YOUAnna-Marie Stewart The internet can be pretty scary at times. Do you realise how easy it is to access your personal information Your phone number, name, address Even get driving instructions on how to get to your location if youre in the USA Did you know that www.google.com works as a telephone directory If youre in the USA, anybody can find you through their search engine. If youve got an unlisted number, this wont apply to you: Go type your phone number into the search box in this format 555 444 1212 no dashes or anything. Itll bring up your full name and address, and itll give you 2 map links. The yahoo map will even give driving instructions on how to get to where youre at!! There should be a telephone icon next to your listing. If you dont want to be listed, click on that and request to be removed from the service. This ones for USA only, too: Free Internet Access to Public Records Listed are over 800 state, county, city and federal court URLs where you can access public record information for free. CrimeScreen.com Dont think youre outta the woods just because you dont live in the United States. There are worldwide lists too. Heres an example: www.hansaprint.fi This ones a combination of worldwide yellow and white pages. A lot of them will link you to maps, where anybody can see your location. Ok, heres another one, this one is reliant on people giving accurate info though. Do you own your own registered domain go do a "WhoIs" here: Brings up a lot of info, huh So how can you stop your personal information from getting broadcast on the web Maybe you cant, totally, but there are a few guidelines, that if followed, will make you less "available" Make sure your phone number is UNLISTED! A lot of online phonebooks are based on a database used by the telephone company. Which in turn leads to your address. Use a web based email program instead of the one provided by your ISP. Your ISP provided email address should only be given to your most trusted friends and family. This is because your ISP has your address, and possibly your banking information if your are allowing them to bill you automatically. Get some software to make your websurfing anonymous: Use a firewall program if you arent behind one already. That way the information on your computer cant be accessed by another online computer without you being prompted for permission. This site contains an excellent list of many different personal firewall programs: castor.tsl.state.tx.us So what if your informations already out there What can you do about it Well its a long, hard job, but it CAN be done, by actually using search engines to find your personal information, and then using the remove features supplied by each particular website or writing the webmaster and requesting that he remove the info. There you have it, youre "available" but you dont HAVE to be unless you want to. Resource Box How to easily avoid those contrived Scams, Shams, and Spam. Yes; without spending your Hard won money with every so called Guru. Be far better informed and prepared With This Brand New, Huge money Saving Free E-Book! Now You can quickly learn how to run a real home spun business without all the Hype.
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