by bobaloo » Thu 13 Jul 2006, 14:28:44
That's why most of us assume an identity, rather than using our real name.
I got on the internet in 1985, way before this WWW thing got going, and most people at that time never considered things would get to the point they're at today, and used their real names. There's some awfully intersting stuff archived that can be accessed from those days, people didn't think anybody but a few thousand fellow geeks would read what they wrote.
My internet computer has no personal identifying material on it, only my "intenet identity". On the other hand I'm pretty open about what I say, and someone could pretty easily identify me as I'm a fairly public figure appearing all too regularly in newspapers and television, hence appearing on the web versions of those outlets.
You just have to figure who you're trying to hide from. If it's potential employers then they're not going to have a lot of resources to find you, chances are just using an alternate identity is good enough. If it's the intelligence agencies, you're screwed, unless you're using a laptop from random open wireless points scattered over a wide area. I'm only moderetely paranoid, it's worked so far.