# You think you are anonymous on the Internet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Scuttlebutt\ **Created:** [October 31, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216 "2019-10-31T20:58:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 8:58pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/1 "2019-10-31T20:58:17Z")
There was a discussion on the forum about using your name or trying to hide your identity to avoid being identified by your colleagues, employers or the authorities. Well you may as well go “open” since it doesn’t work anyhow. Everybody with a bit of knowledge of the technique can apparently identify you through your machine or device anyhow: > **[Perspective | Think you’re anonymous online? A third of popular websites are...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/31/think-youre-anonymous-online-third-popular-websites-are-fingerprinting-you/?arc404=true)** > > Our latest privacy experiment tested sites for an invisible form of online tracking that you can’t easily avoid. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Boebert1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/earl_boebert1/32/116_2.png) [@Earl\_Boebert1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Earl_Boebert1)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 9:42pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/2 "2019-10-31T21:42:40Z")
I’ve been open on the internet since before it was the internet. I’ve never found it to be a hindrance. Cheers, Earl ---
**Author:** ![Klaveness](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/klaveness/32/7001_2.png) [@Klaveness](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Klaveness)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 5:23am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/3 "2019-11-01T05:23:27Z")
Wait, what? You went by your own name back in the BBS days? I thought that was when _everyone_ had an inventive nick 😛 Going by my own name has its pros and cons. It does add some gravitas to my statements, preempting anyone who wants to use the “Hah you say that while hiding behind your anonymity!” argument. On the other hand, I sometimes want to discuss things that reflects poorly on my customers or somesuch, which basic professionalism dictates that I refrain from doing publicly. There are levels of anonymity. For most purposes, it’s good enough to simply mask my name so it doesn’t get puked up by a basic google search; Whether a skilled analyst could identify me is irrelevant. Then there are things that are not to be discussed without some proper anonymity; There are [tools](https://torproject.org) for that purpose. Finally, it should be understood that if heavy players _really_ want to know who you are, they will figure it out. Ask Ross Ulbricht. ---
**Author:** ![dbeierl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dbeierl/32/11833_2.png) [@dbeierl](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dbeierl)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 5:54am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/4 "2019-11-01T05:54:19Z")
> [@Klaveness](#): > > You went by your own name back in the BBS days? I expect he’s talking about ARPAnet. ---
**Author:** ![DeckApe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/deckape/32/1271_2.png) [@DeckApe](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DeckApe)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 8:13am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/5 "2019-11-01T08:13:58Z")
I assume my employer can figure out who I am. If I start posting classified information I’m sure there’ll be someone knocking on my door. Anonymity and encryption is good for making someone a harder target. It won’t make anyone impervious. Someone can always break threw. You just don’t want to be the easiest target and invite someone to try. Or as the joke goes, you don’t need to run faster than the lion. You only need to run faster than the slowest person running from the lion. ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_Shore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Lee\_Shore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Lee_Shore)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 1:37pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/6 "2019-11-01T13:37:47Z")
Then there are those who post every possible detail of their life on sites such as facebook and come home after a vacation to find they no longer have any furniture. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Boebert1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/earl_boebert1/32/116_2.png) [@Earl\_Boebert1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Earl_Boebert1)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 1:39pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/7 "2019-11-01T13:39:48Z")
> [@dbeierl](#): > > I expect he’s talking about ARPAnet. Right. boebert@MIT-Multics The ARPAnet directory was hard copy, about the size of a small town phone book. Cheers, Earl ---
**Author:** ![Capt\_Phoenix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/capt_phoenix/32/281_2.png) [@Capt\_Phoenix](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Capt_Phoenix)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/8 "2019-11-01T18:48:16Z")
You don’t need to swim faster than the shark, you only need to swim faster than the slowest seal. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2019, 11:29pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/9 "2019-11-01T23:29:44Z")
Latest analysis of the case in subject: > **[On the Internet, they definitely know you’re a dog](https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/business/technology/upgrade-with-geoffrey-fowler/on-the-internet-they-definitely-know-youre-a-dog/2019/10/31/c9377a2e-96b5-4f82-a1b2-4eee70068f86_video.html)** > > On the internet, nobody knows you’re a dog. Well, that’s the way it used to be. The Post's Geoffrey Fowler and Pepper the dog explain the frightening next frontier in data tracking: fingerprinting. ---
**Author:** ![dbeierl](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/dbeierl/32/11833_2.png) [@dbeierl](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/dbeierl)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2019, 4:58am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/11 "2019-11-02T04:58:11Z")
> [@Chopshopscotty](#): > > you’re still in those There’s a reason they call it still photography…I expect he changes to the green ones on Sundays, but it doesn’t change his avatar. ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2019, 12:04pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/12 "2019-11-02T12:04:04Z")
I didn’t get to see the entire post by Chopshopscotty (what a name!!) but I guess I was the centre of attraction again? The pix was taken after a trip to catch crabs and collect scallops, so the attire was entirely appropriate at the time. That I posted it as my avatar may surprise some, since it isn’t exactly flattering. Fortunately I’m not that self-conscious and don’t worried all that much about other people’s opinion of my attire. Not that it matters much, but using a silly nickname isn’t much better, especially when you know it doesn’t keep your identity secret anyhow. ---
**Author:** ![catherder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@catherder](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/catherder)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2019, 11:07pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/13 "2019-11-03T23:07:16Z")
When I retire from my present position, there will be a tell-all. I’m settin fire to that shit, oh yesirree (figuratively speaking, of course) ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Boebert1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/earl_boebert1/32/116_2.png) [@Earl\_Boebert1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Earl_Boebert1)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2019, 2:31pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/14 "2019-11-05T14:31:09Z")
How to try and find out what they have on you: [Secret Consumer Scores](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/04/business/secret-consumer-score-access.html?fallback=false&recId=909197190&locked=0&geoContinent=NA&geoRegion=NM&recAlloc=top_conversion&geoCountry=US&blockId=published-assets-bq&imp_id=443654086&action=click&module=Most%20Popular&pgtype=Homepage) Cheers, Earl ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Boebert1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/earl_boebert1/32/116_2.png) [@Earl\_Boebert1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Earl_Boebert1)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:25am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/15 "2019-11-12T00:25:00Z")
And now Google is getting people’s medical records: [Google Accessing Medical Records](https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/11/would-you-trust-google-with-your-medical-records-it-might-already-have-them/) What could possibly go wrong? Earl ---
**Author:** ![tengineer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tengineer1](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tengineer1)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/16 "2019-11-12T13:27:09Z")
This internet tracking has gotten out of control. The EU finally passed a law that at least informs the unwary they are being tracked. It would be much better if one was not tracked by default. Privacy is nonexistent now by default. ---
**Author:** ![Hogsnort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba8739/32.png) [@Hogsnort](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Hogsnort)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/17 "2019-11-12T20:02:24Z")
The CIA analysised the health of some Russian by secretly collecting a stool sample. Steps are taken to make sure that the same thing doesn’t happen to POTUS. I thought it was a step to far when google acquired Fitbit not that I could be bothered by one. ---
**Author:** ![tomahawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@tomahawk](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tomahawk)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 8:28pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/18 "2019-11-12T20:28:35Z")
Don’t know about being anonymous but the adverts I get on the main site are most often for womens clothes… is Google trying to tell me something? ---
**Author:** ![Lee\_Shore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Lee\_Shore](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Lee_Shore)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 8:39pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/19 "2019-11-12T20:39:00Z")
I don’t know where your IP address pings to, if that’s the right terminology but if I so much as click on an ad or type in a word in a Google search, I get peppered with ads focused on that subject. I wouldn’t be surprised if my emails were being monitored for the same purpose. It’s troubling to me but maybe the younger crowd who grew up with the internet and cell phones from birth considers it perfectly normal. ---
**Author:** ![tomahawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@tomahawk](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tomahawk)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 2:51am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/20 "2019-11-13T02:51:39Z")
They keep saying that cookies help them provide targeted ads. If they had any intellegence, they would understand that if they target me with ads… I will simply refuse to buy shatever they are advertising and in necessity buy from a competitor… ---
**Author:** ![DeckApe](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/deckape/32/1271_2.png) [@DeckApe](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/DeckApe)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2019, 10:12am UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216/21 "2019-11-13T10:12:21Z")
I get a lot of adverts for cruises. European river cruises, Alaska cruises, Mississippi paddle boat. Talk about wasting their pixels. Now if they advertised ‘Stay at home and do nothing!’ I’d be all in. [Next page](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/you-think-you-are-anonymous-on-the-internet/53216.md?page=2)