The internet is not anonymous
by Volker Weber
On the internet, nobody knows you're a dog. Right? Wrong.
Many users share the same major misconception. They think they can keep a secret by using handles instead of their own names, by keeping e-mail addresses, web pages or similar things by obfuscating them. So let me tell you something new: There is no leak-proof system*.
Simply don't do things that you don't want to have linked to your person. If you use a handle, someone will find out who you are. Don't stick out a tongue at a collective audience. Inquiring minds want to know.
The last user I came across who tried to stay anonymous by using a handle was Buga Difino who — previously unheard of — posted some very good comments about the state of IBM marketing around Lotus Domino and Lotus Workplace on Mike Golding's notestips.com.
Yesterday Buga made a stupid mistake. Now I know his real name, his occupation, employer and so forth. I do not intend to publish this information, but to everyone else: Consider yourself warned. You may get away with using a handle for a while. But certainly not forever.
*) You don't keep a ship from sinking by making it leak-proof. You pump the water out faster than it is leaking in.
Comments
Us OpenNTF'ers caught someone a while back on a similar premise. By mapping back when he linked from openntf.org to notes.net or was it vice versa?), then scanning web logs for the same IP address, we got him.
If you really want to stay anonymous, wear gray flannel, keep your head down, and don't mutter too much.
Post a comment
Recent comments
Volker Weber on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 22:46
Sven Richert on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 21:32
John Keys on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 18:36
Volker Weber on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 16:56
John Keys on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 16:38
Volker Weber on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 16:34
Frank Köhntopp on New bag: Belkin Move at 16:04
Thomas Cloer on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 15:26
Armin Roth on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 15:20
Volker Weber on New bag: Belkin Move at 15:03
Tom Holzapfel on New bag: Belkin Move at 14:53
Juergen Eichholz on Music on physical media? This is so last century. at 14:40
Nick Shelness on Nokia Bluetooth Stereo Headset BH-905 with active noise cancellation at 12:48
jonathan lewis on Nokia N8 looks like a winner at 01:18
Volker Weber on Talking Sonos at 18:45
Alexander Schäfer on Talking Sonos at 17:09
Kas le on Twitter on iPad at 23:44
Art Thomas on Enterprise mindset vs. consumer mindset at 22:20
joel david on Enterprise mindset vs. consumer mindset at 04:04
Joerg Richter on Dessau at 16:18
Alexander Kluge on Schlechter WLAN-Empfang bei Fritz!Box 7270 at 12:07
Marc Beckersjuergen on Schlechter WLAN-Empfang bei Fritz!Box 7270 at 11:31
Volker Weber on Schlechter WLAN-Empfang bei Fritz!Box 7270 at 11:13
Chris Coates on Schlechter WLAN-Empfang bei Fritz!Box 7270 at 11:11
Jan-Piet Mens on Schlechter WLAN-Empfang bei Fritz!Box 7270 at 11:00
Click here to subscribe
