'Net secrets

Theresa · **Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:35 pm 'Net secrets**

Why do some people find it necessary to keep their gender and/or age a secret? Especially here. It really makes no sense at all.

Any thoughts?

Starbuck · **Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:47 pm**

Paranoia. Plain and simple ... crazy people like me can read IP addresses ... I can find out what region, etc you live in. And that scares the crap out of people ... don't know why ... I'm not a murderer or a pedo. But whatever. I like paranoid people, they're fun to screw with.

Lord Borg · **Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:22 pm**

Well, in that case starbuck there would still be no use in hiding that information

after all you'd still figure it out with all that information.

Still first name, Gender, age... why hide it? at least a gender and age, theres MILLIONS with that gender and age!

Sam Kenobi · **Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:25 pm**

IntrepidIsMe · **Sat Jul 22, 2006 11:26 pm**

Mmmm, I think it's a little rediculous. You can't track down somebody based on their age, sex, and first name. In the US alone there are probably at least 5,000 other people with the exact same information. But hey, we live in a scary world,

lionhead · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:14 am**

Some people don't like it to be called by their first name of forums. Makes them feel uncomfortable.

Its just that you don't know these people, but when they start calling you by your first name it seems as if they do.

Same goes for Sex and Age.

5thhouse · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:26 am**

Age and name I understand, I didn't share it for a long time because there ARE people out there who don't have neutural to benevolent intentions. You wouldn't belive how easy it is with that basic information to find out EVERYTHING else about someone if you know how. I like to realize, however, that if someone wants the information, they're going to get it. If they really want to hurt you they're going to find a way to try.
Gender however is another story...that one annoys me because sometimes I don't know what pronoun to use in reference to a person.

Brightstar82 · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:53 am**

some people are just overly private about certain issues I think.

Founder · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:59 am**

Well, some people simply don't want that information to be given. Doesn't seem to be that big of a deal if you ask me. Maybe once you get to know the people it would be ok though.

As for pictures, I don't want to give my picture because mainly I don't want to risk it going all over the net and if memory serves correctly, pictures of certain people on this site was...altered by a disgruntled member and posted on the web. I don't want that happening to me.

Arellia · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:55 pm**

First name, gender and age shouldn't be a big deal, if you ask me. There's not too much people can do with that. State and picture, eh... I guess if you were really a creep you could hunt down someone. I'm not particularly concerned. I know where my gun is.

5thhouse · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:24 pm**

Trust me, if you know how, you can do a lot with first name, gender, and age. But, as I said...if someone wants to find you they're going to regardless.

TrekkieMage · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:35 pm**

Not so sure about age, but I know with gender one can be put in an uncomfortable situation online. Mostly if you're female, it can be unsettling. And mostly what people have said already. The internet is kind of like a mask, you can be more confident, less confident, whatever. A shield, whatever you want to call it.

Whenever someone online knows anything particularly personal, it feels kind of like there's a crack in their shield/mask. Rational or not.

I don't know if there is anything even remotely reasonable about what I just typed o.O

5thhouse · **Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:53 pm**

Very reasonable