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Original poster

Do you ever worry that someone could find you in RL from your postings on here? Or are you more careful than that?

157 replies

WideWebWitch · 10/03/2007 10:54

For example, I posted once (ages ago) about where we were going be at half term and vaguely worried about it at the time and wondered whether I should have done so.

I also posted some details about another event which could have led someone to my rl name and address (it's my old one so it's not relevant now)

I haven't tried but I wonder if I searched on a particular mumsnetter's name, would I be able to find something that would lead me to their rl details were I to want them? I wouldn't, of course as I'm not a weirdo or a stalker but this is the www and anyone else could.

So, should we all be careful what we reveal here? Or am I being over cautious?

OP posts:
stressteddy · 10/03/2007 13:07

ooh is that a clue as to what you do?????

CAM · 10/03/2007 13:07

She didn't deny being the lighthouse keeper, yay gotcha

Winestein · 10/03/2007 13:08

She's Helen Mirren!

Stargazer · 10/03/2007 13:09

I think it's important to be careful about posting personal information on any conferences. However, I don't think I've revealed enough for me to be identified in RL. Not that I'm bothered, I often tell people about this place - about the good support and funny stories.

MrsSchadenfreude · 10/03/2007 13:09

There are no lighthouses near Milton Keynes (are there?).

stressteddy · 10/03/2007 13:10

It all seemed so glam Mrs. S until you said Milton Keynes!!

MrsSchadenfreude · 10/03/2007 13:12

I live there, Stressteddy, I don't work there!

stressteddy · 10/03/2007 13:12

Whatever it is I still think it's cool that it's you're the only one in the world

WanderingTrolley · 10/03/2007 13:13

Are you made of concrete, MrsS?

Are you bovine?

portonovo · 10/03/2007 13:15

Yes, I think people do give away too much. I've seen sites where people have links to their personal websites, which in one case included a full address and directions for visiting friends! So the next time she posted about being away on holiday, a nice friendly burglar could have called! After a private email from someone, she then removed all offending data.

On another parenting site we had a similar debate about security and one long-standing member boasted about how she never gave out personal details. Well, given the things I'd recalled her divulging over the years, that was just a challenge to me! A 10 minute internet search using just stuff I'd seen in passing over the years and I knew her home address, which school her kids went to and how much she'd paid for her house. Oh, and found a very interesting 'Spectator' article about her political persuasion! When I pointed this out to her (privately!) she was a bit sheepish to say the least!

In her case, it was probably made easier by the fact that she had a very distinctive username that she had once said came from her very distinctive surname, but I'm sure there are lots of other cases where people divulge too much. Not necessarily all at once, but little snippets here and there which build up a bigger picture.

HEIFER · 10/03/2007 13:30

I would advice people not to use RL names in email addresses... I have cat someone on her and got their full name from their email address.

I already knew which town they lived in and a quick search on google and BT gave me soo much info.. about them.. names of DH, DC, even photos of DC, and their address/telephone number..

I would like just to add that I only searched to see if I could find anything to worry about - and not to find out about them..

I have since amended my email address I use for Mumsnet...

TheBlonde · 10/03/2007 13:38

HEIFER - surely you only got her email addy when she replied to your email though?

batters · 10/03/2007 13:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

batters · 10/03/2007 13:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HEIFER · 10/03/2007 13:50

Batters - just because you haven't posted pictures of your children doesn't mean they are not on a site someone (sports/school club etc)....

Actually I was very surprised to find someone children (named with photo) on a site as I thought that you weren't allowed to do that (sports club/school etc)..

The Blonde - I got the details before they replied - but that was a problem with MN which has now been fixed!

tiredemma · 10/03/2007 13:56

I posted a pic of my ds1 in a particular sports outfit, with a crest on it.

A mnetter immediatly recognised it and realised that her son also played for the same team.

Luckily though, I dont have any interesting secrets on here so thats ok. I did wonder straight away though, what if I had posted stuff such as relationship woes, stresses or even vibrant, outrageous sex life????????!!!!!

MamaG · 10/03/2007 13:58

My RL work friend found me out from a drawing of a whisk I did on artpad and posted on here - I'd drawn teh same whisk for her the day before (don't ask)

She was horrified after the flat fanjo thread and said she couldn't look at me

HEIFER · 10/03/2007 13:59

lol MamaG

Has she asked for some birthday cake?

frumpygrumpy · 10/03/2007 14:00

I live in fear!! I hide very little and could probably easily be recognised in my RL. I often worry I post too much info (never pictures) as I love the anonymity but I also love not giving a monkey's hairy arse about telling the truth. I live in hope that if someone does recognise me then they tell me quietly.....

Tortington · 10/03/2007 14:00

i'm not bothered and i actually suspect my director is a closet mnetter and i think she knows who i am - i'm plainly obvious! i'm not overly bothered. however i was bothered when my ds (17) told his GF mother about this site and i think i posted something about the gf - andi was worried.

btw shes a lovely girl and i dont think her mum comes on here.

MamaG · 10/03/2007 14:01

Yes she did Heifer

HEIFER · 10/03/2007 14:07

does it bother you that someone you know is reading (possibly) your post though..

does it make you a little more wary?

I am pretty sure no one in RL knows me on here, (except people I have since befriended on here)...

But if RL people did know me I think it would make me think twice about what and how I posted...

MamaG · 10/03/2007 14:08

no becuase she's a good friend and i wouldn't post anything i wouldn't tell her IYKWIM

I'd be horrified if others knew me though!

AND she claims she never posts, only lurks, so I am worried that she doesn't wnat ME to know who she is [paranoid]

HEIFER · 10/03/2007 14:10

that the thing isn't it - I would have no problem with my mates reading about me (as you say I would have probably told them anyway)..

Its the OTHERS I would worry about - those people on the fringe of RL...

Maybe time for a name change....

satine · 10/03/2007 14:11

I'm not too bothered if people recognise me on MN - I certainly don't reveal anything on MN that I wouldn't be perfectly happy to discuss in RL. And as for a loony finding out where I live etc - couldn't he just as easily follow me home from the supermarket one day if he takes a fancy to bludgeoning me to bits?