Safety in the Off Topic Board - Please Read!

[GLover]

We all should know about hiding our other selves in the on topic boards, but when we get off topic, things are different. Please be careful about what information you share in this board, as something as simple as a television program, a favorite beverage, or a new videogame can allow anyone to find out exactly what country you live in and maybe even what region too, even down to the city. A few examples:-

"I watched a great program on TV last night called "Zombies In Outer Space", anyone else watch this show?" - If this program was shown on one channel in one country, especially if it was only on one specific local channel at that time, it will be easy to find out what area you live in.

"I love drinking "Outer Space Zombie Beer", it's the best!" - If this is produced and sold in only one region or city, that again cuts you down to a very specific place.

"I've been obsessing over "Zombie Space Hunt III" recently." If this game is only available on Steam, only available as Early Access, and only has 100 buyers so far, that's far too close for comfort.

It may seem stupid saying this, but please be very careful about giving any information like this out. We all want to share different aspects of our lives, but you should never become too comfortable when it could be your freedom on the line!

[YngLoliLvr]

I agree. The off-topicness range on a forum like ours is actually kinda limited, to ensure safety.

And GLover, seems you like zombies from the outer space.

[Jon]

Very good point! Fortunately I don't have to worry about the TV since I never watch it. I can get my TV shows off the internet anytime I want. and they can and do come from most anyplace.

[candyman]

Unfortunately many of us can be identified as to where we are from just by our writing style. Simple often used words and  terms like mate, you all, ect make it easy to determine our country of origin or a close proximity. While I agree we have to be careful, pinning us down to a country is quite easy for a forensic specialist. I am certain they know where I am from and I am not really overly concerned. I am but a mere grain of sand in a vast ocean.

With technology TV shows, movies and such are aired all over the world. I would be more concerned about items like make of a vehicle, naming a river or park near by, a school. street name or stating your profession. Simple details such as this can lead LEA to your front door.

Just my opinion.

Cm

[slartibartfast]

Very good point! Fortunately I don't have to worry about the TV since I never watch it. I can get my TV shows off the internet anytime I want. and they can and do come from most anyplace.

Can't be too careful eh but fuck that, It's Miller Time, and I'm off to watch a rerun of Trailer Park Boys... I think you all know where I'm from anyhow.

[GLover]

Very good point! Fortunately I don't have to worry about the TV since I never watch it. I can get my TV shows off the internet anytime I want. and they can and do come from most anyplace.

The wonders of the modern world with no borders. There should be no issue with this, as downloads are not limited as TV can be.

I think you all know where I'm from anyhow.

Outer space?

[hcgirlfan]

Which is why I have not posted my favorite film or drink.



Muppet Treasure Island
Cherry Coke


Oh, Damn!....

[Bellocq]

Unfortunately many of us can be identified as to where we are from just by our writing style. Simple often used words and  terms like mate, you all, ect make it easy to determine our country of origin or a close proximity.

That's funny because I actually intentionally mix up the spellings of words and other regional differences in the English language just for this reason.

[lolikinz]

Simple often used words and  terms like mate, you all, ect make it easy to determine our country of origin or a close proximity.

Unless it was a purposeful obfuscation, I think you just narrowed yourself down as NOT being from the American South.  I've spent enough time around true southern rednecks to know it's "y'all"

[Freehold_Of_Grainne]

I am not that paranoid to think that my nationality or/and my profession would give me away... in both cases I would be one in millions... Still, I would not give away quite a number of occurrences, as I have led a peculiar enough life that I might get noticed by a few things... Still, as I have not yet made closer acquaintance with the Police they would still have one hell of a time trying to translate this to my person... but then, better safe than sorry (even though I am enough of a thrill seeker that I registered on this here board while sitting in a car in the middle of a large scale Customs inspection in a public rest area... talk about doing it under their noses )

Besides, LEA in my part of the world are lots slower to catch on digital stuff than US federal agencies, so I consider myself safe for the moment (plus talking about whatever still IS legal here...)

greets
FOG

[Pedo_Otaku]

DANGER! DANGER! HIGH VOLTAGE!

[cpcurious]

I think some of the really stupid stuff I've seen on here: giving the exact city your in... email addresses :duh ...and some really stupid stuff that I don't even want to mention. I think in torchat some might forget who they might be dealing with and reveal too much. Posting any CP (even NN) with faces of either adult or child. Saw that recently and they caught her probably less than two weeks after it hit OPVA.
Every little bit of information you reveal, no matter how insignificant, can potentially narrow down a profile of you and lead LEA to you. If you make it easy, they will track you down, but on the other hand if you keep a low profile and keep safe you're probably less likely to come up as a priority target in the first place. Producing and publishing CP will probably get you to the top of that list in a hurry.

[Pedo_Otaku]

Better yet. Never reveal any info about your offtopic identity.

[hcgirlfan]

Better yet. Never reveal any info about your offtopic identity.

Ah, yes, well, in my offtopic life I collect stamps, have a collection of tousers with legs too short and my favourite color is orange - hehe!!

[PedAce29]

I can respect this advice on precaution. I suppose something as innocently ordinary as a television show hinting at one's location never truly occurred to me.

I did want to comment on the last example: being "obsessed over" something isn't the same as "I watched" something. Maybe one stumbled across it online, and it seemed interesting. Maybe he/she doesn't have a membership for that obsessed thing, let alone an "early access" one.

I think now we're just being paranoid; kind of akin to, don't describe what color your couch is, because that's just one step closer for the boogy-monster to find you. (How many black couches in the world are there? Is the red couch you have in your living room the only one of its kind?)

I understand it's great to take precaution, but we don't have to fear ourselves over said-boogyman. =)

Just my 2c.