Computer Geek Question.....about back tracking...???

**wildography** · 02-22-2009, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by doug1980

Turns out myspace is monitored by OSI.

It's a scary world we live in these days that's for sure. No matter what you do or where you go there may be someone watching or listening.

Good point! That reminds me of something that I forgot all about (seems like that happens more and more as I get older! sigh...)

Alot of business, and especially government agencies, have software programs that scour the 'net for their business name, profile, etc... or, in the government's case: "hot words". When they get a hit it gets pulled up, and eventually someone is 'sposed to look up the reference...

**oly** · 02-22-2009, 12:27 PM

Certain key words will flag you. I dont know what they are so use your imagination

**Ken** · 02-22-2009, 02:01 PM

With just a little effort, and maybe a few dollars, you can find out pretty much whatever you want about anyone today.

I'm really not trying to remain anonymous. If I were, I would have just signed onto the Forum as a guest and gained knowledge without really making my presence known (although it would still have been possible for someone with the right experience - someone called a hacker - to learn of my visits and identity).

In the early 1980's, as a consultant, I designed shareholder service (mutual fund) and other processing systems for a number of large banks and a few state agencies. I was also contracted by some of these banks to "test" their computer security. The shortest time it took me to "break in" to a Boston bank's system and begin printing checks to myself was about 3 minutes. The security password was the word "access" - quite close to the beginning of the commonly used words in my alpha search list. And it's amazing how many people use the word "password" as their password. The longest time was a little over one day with a New York Bank. I only gave up on one system, and I'm sure that with more effort it could have been compromised as well. Today, with the software now available, even the more secure systems are relatively easy prey.

But, back on point, the real question is:

"Am I compromising my personal safety and security by disclosing personal or identifying information online?"

The answer begins with other questions:

"What risks do I fear and from whom?"

The government can find out whatever they want to about you, internet use or not. And yes, key word searches take place across the entire internet 24/7. The government knows if you have weapons and purchase ammunition. If you do, you likely are the type to prepare and keep other supplies at hand as well. There are "profiles" that have been developed as predictors of human behavior. Enough said.

More probably, you may be concerned about private citizens, not the government, learning about you, your supplies, and your security from your posts. In other words, "Have I have myself a target for others if TSHTF?"

Honestly, probably not. Almost EVERYONE has some store of supplies at their homes. If we faced a total "dog eat dog" scenario, most aggression would be against the easiest targets. Would you rather attack someone who appears to be easy prey or someone you know most probably has weapons at hand?

Each time I have posted, I have known that I am divulging a little more information about my identity and my thought processes. I have thought about this fact each time I post.

Review my posts and, with little effort, any of you could learn my identity, home address, and office address.

1. You know my first name.
2. You know my occupation.
3. You know my hometown.
4. You know that I have held elected and appointed government offices.

There is only one person in the world that only these four combined pieces of information identify. ME.

What else do you know about me from my posts?

1. You know what type of vehicles I own.
2. You know I own firearms. You even know a few of the types I own.
3. You know I have held high level positions in my state and local Emergency Management Agencies.
4. You know I have survival, medical, firearms, and NBC training and experience.
5. You know I own generators and have long term supplies on hand.
6. You know I am moving to a new home, and you should easily be able to narrow just where to only a few towns.
7. You know I have adult children, and that my sons have significant wildnerness training and experience.
8. And you know far more by reading my posts.

From all of this, those of you with common sense can probably make a number of logical conclusions regarding many other things about me.

By way of private messages, some of you even have my address and telephone number.

Do I know EXACTLY who many of you are? From your posts, yes I do. I may have even viewed your home by way of Google or Google Earth. Some of you may have looked at my current modest home on my small lot yourselves.

Am I worried about all of this? No, not really. Are you?

**Sourdough** · 02-22-2009, 02:37 PM

Ken, Thank you for a great post. I find my concern interesting, at least to me interesting, in that I like to watch myself, watch my thinking, etc. and at first I was concerned that harm could befall me, then it switched to befalling the hunter of me. As I looked at it, I started to realize that I was somewhat subconsciously "baiting". My initial thought was I P!ss-off some 23 year old anarchist short tempered hothead, and he would track me down.

But...and it is a large But, what if he was goat-ed, and baited into a "Knight's Gambit".
See my initial question was about a crazy Homicidal Internet Technology person hunting me.

But what if I am the "Crazy Homicidal" bored retired professional hunter, at the end of life. Now who is the hunter, and who is the bait. I do so miss James Clavell.

Would make a good plot for a movie.

**Fletcher** · 02-22-2009, 03:16 PM

Thanks Ken good points you've made. I just bought my first digital camera.
Now to post a picture or not will have to be determined.

Hope i don't think you have much to worry about
other than the four legged wild life at your location. You already have the high ground and you know every inch of your place and your a pretty good shot as well.

**Ken** · 02-22-2009, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by hopeak

Ken, Thank you for a great post...... I do so miss James Clavell......

Hopeak, the post was my pleasure.

And, before I forget, I grinned when I read yor earlier post about Clavell. Just yesterday, I ran across my hardbound copy of Shogun. I LOVED THAT BOOK! Of all of his works, and I've read them all, the only one I thought was less than spectacular was Whirlwind, and it was still a pretty good read. Reading Clavell once caused me to bake an apple pie at 1:30 in the morning, to let it cool a bit, and them to chop it up in a bowl with light cream poured over the pie. Remember the Tai Pan (?) passage describing that? His descriptions of food still drive me crazy at times.

Hopeak, I suspect that many of us on the Forum are not the type of folks most people would want to screw around with. I know what many of us are trained and experienced in, and I know what many of us are probably capable of if necessary. I know that some of you are much more "capable" than me, but I also know that I am far more prepared, alert, and formidable than most of the general population. Yet, I have never, and never will, underestimate ANYONE.

When I was younger, I ventured off into the wilderness for 2 week stretches with nothing more than instant coffee, sugar, creamer, a few Slim Jims, some chewing gum, and a few survival items, all of it carried in one fanny pack, and returned having gained over 10 lbs. Add some Ben Gay or Icy Hot and a few Advil for aches and pains, and I could still do that today.

I've eaten slugs (one of my original posts, which caused Rick to gag - until I informed him I also enjoy venison with bearnaise sauce) and I've made jam from berries and pine syrup, which I ate over cat tail crackers that were kinda' like matzo bread.

Yet, every time I read posts on the Forum I learn something new and useful about survival or being self-sufficient. And remember, it's probably the things that we haven't, or possibly can't, divulge about ourselves, our experience, and our knowledge that may truly surprise others.

Membership in the Forum, and communicating with all of you, has given me insight (positive and negative) about others, and has made me feel more prepared rather than more vulnerable. And for that, I thank all of you.

**Sourdough** · 02-22-2009, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ken

Yet, every time I read posts on the Forum I learn something new and useful about survival or being self-sufficient. And remember, it's probably the things that we haven't, or possibly can't, divulge about ourselves, our experience, and our knowledge that may truly surprise others.

Membership in the Forum, and communicating with all of you, has given me insight (positive and negative) about others, and has made me feel more prepared rather than more vulnerable. And for that, I thank all of you.

DITTO That, Ditto that, well said.

Whirlwind was my favorite: the only one I could not read twice was "King Rat".

To those of you who have never enjoyed James Clavell, I suggest not reading them in the order written, but in chronological order for the time period of the book. Also do not be ashamed if you need a legal pad to keep track of the characters.

**Rick** · 02-22-2009, 07:25 PM

Hopeak, I think you stand a far better chance getting caught outside by a furry visitor or some local drunk than any of us traveling a couple of thousand miles just because we're ticked off. We'd probably cool down well before we got there.

**nell67** · 02-22-2009, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by Rick

Hopeak, I think you stand a far better chance getting caught outside by a furry visitor or some local drunk than any of us traveling a couple of thousand miles just because we're ticked off. We'd probably cool down well before we got there.

Heck yea we'd cool down,have you heard how cold it's been up there?? Hard to stay hot under the collar when your teeth are chattering.