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[lusitania]

Hi guys.

I don't know why some one is not stopping this, but I think I should.

I have seen many posts ending with "Regards. (name)" I have no Idea if you acctually know, but just this sentence could get a virus inserted into your computer. Posting your real identity on online chat rooms, forums and games is simply very dangorous. Your identity includes your phone number, name, surname, adress... all these things are very dangorous to give away. I don't know how I am acctually going to get everyone's attention, but those who read this, please dont post your REAL name on posts. Virus hags are always looking for identity. If one was looking here right know, and saw a post with a real name on them, would use a software, track down everyone of that name and send out a virus to all of them. Not would it spoil everyone with your names fun, but yours as well. The first thing to think about on the internet is SAFETY. So guys, keep your names secret from ANYone you meat online. Not safe at all. If everyone just stops posting their identity at the bottem of every post, this forum is going to be safe as heaven.

Of course, internet security pogrammes come in useful, but not to some viruses. So keep yourself secret online and have fun on every forum, chatroom or online game you go on!

Regards
Lusitania

[Mad_Fred]

Hi Lusitania and welcome to the forum.

There's nothing unsafe about writing just your first name on the forum. And as for surnames, well if someone really wants to harm you or send you a nasty virus, they don't need to know your name at all. Your IP would be much more helpfull, actually, and a skilled person can easliy get a hold of this. They could actually find out more about you than you can post, by just having that information, and you can't stop your IP being logged.

If you put up your full name and home adress and so on, well yeah, then obviously everyone can see it, but someone with the skills and intention to harm you needs none of that to do so anyway.

And if you're computer is secured enough, you don't need to worry, unless you have got something really really valuable on your machine. Virusses and Trojans and all that "automatic" infecting, that is dealt with if you properly secure and maintain your machine.

I don't know where you got these ideas, but I have been on at least 50 forums in the last 6 years or so and on many of them they know my full name and NEVER ever has this made me a target to the things you say we are risking. You're over reacting a bit, you shouldn't believe every thing you read. 

Regards,
A guy named Fred, which is my real name.

[lusitania]

Very well said Mad_fred and thanks for your kind welcome, however I myself has known people who have... "killed" as we say... their computer but telling their names. I nearly had it done to myself once, that is how I know. My father is a Computer manager and does the same thing - create anti-virus stuff and handles the company site. Everyone tells me the same thing.  Once my father told me, and I thought it was just a fibber. How could telling your real name be dangerous? But then I learned. Sfety comes first. If, of course you think I'm lieing, dont bother listeining. In fact, I dont know how its done. But there is software sort of thing.

Regards
Lusitania

[Mad_Fred]

Hi Lusitania,

Yep, of course, there is much "floating around" on the internet that can harm your pc. And a lot of people enjoy themselves by causing such problems and inventing such things. It's sad but true.

But that's where your own responsibility comes in. There are many ways to protect yourself. And indeed, not everything is 100% fail safe, but you can eliminate most risks by having the right protection installed and maintained/updared properly.

Giving out personal information is never wise, that much is true. But first and last name is not a big risk. There's real names floating around on the net by the tens of millions. Nothing to worry about when you sign a forum post with your name.

Regards,
Albert L. Ias   

[saltydog]

Albert L. Ias eh...I'm coming to get you....

[lusitania]

Mad_fred, Im not saying its forum members that are doing it, its just hags insearch for forums and chatrooms to bug. No internet security software is completely safe. some are 99.9 percent safe, but not 100%, I know because my father is a manager of these things. But if any hag comes across this forum and finds a name, then its easy enough. Although I'm not sure how its done.

Of course, If you think I am a total fibber, then dont belive me. I am just trying to help.

BTW Saltydog! I don't think this situation is funny! Nor do people who have had to buy another machine!

Regards
Lusitania

[Mad_Fred]

Hi Lusitania,

I surely don't think you're a fibber, and you are right to an extend. There are those that try to cause trouble and go and search forums and so on. But they can just as easily get YOU, even though you have an assumed name. As long as it is just the name, then who is to say what is real or not...

If I were to put John Smith under my name, while it isn't, do you think it would make a difference?

We all know about those wrongdoers and that try their best to hack and try to mess people's PC's, but that's what those 99.9% safe security programs are meant for. And if you use several at the same time, it won't be worth their time and effort to hack you, not unless, as I said, they have a reason to believe you have some real valuable info on your machine.

A name says nothing, how would you link a name to an internet account unless you have acces to that kind of information, which would also mean you allready have acces to it in the first place and don't need your name at all...

Well, i'm not an expert at explaining such things at all, so I hope you know what I mean. But everyone I have played games with, chatted with, worked with etc in all these years on all these forums and chatrooms and what have you, have never had such problems. It's all about protecting yourself.

And Salty wasn't laughing about this matter, just about my A.L.IAS 

Regards,
Fred

[lusitania]

yes Fred.

I just want to warn everyone because it has HAPPEND before,... you have been quite fortuneate not to have problems with posting names. It, ofcourse, rarely happens. There are about 10000000 forums out there. a hag can only bug 1 at a time. and 3/4 of those forums he hopefully wont get his hands on... Technology grows quickly! 

  Fun Fact:

Did you know that the name "Virus" is acctually a name of a company?  true

P.S I like the forum smileys!                               

Also, if anyone thinks I have come here to warn you about safety, please note that I have ship sim08 as well! Its great!

[Mad_Fred]

Fun Fact:

Did you know that the name "Virus" is acctually a name of a company?  true

It might be a name of a company but it's not where it comes from.

The word virus (to describe a computer virus) is just the same as the word virus, as used in the medical world.

This comes from the Latin "virus" which means as much as "toxic" or "poison".

They didn't have "companies" back in Rome in those days. At least not the way you refer to it. 

[lusitania]

well, i didnt say it was an old word. and there were no pc's in rman days either.

[Mad_Fred]

Well it IS an old word. That's what I was saying..

And there were personal computers in those days.. But those were just guys that would be someones assistant and kept their books using one of these:

[mvsmith]

Are we sure Lusitania is not Cap’n T under an alias? This refrain is all too familiar.
There is some danger—by putting “Fred” together with the fact that we know he’s mad, and checking the asylums, he should be easy to find.
Lusitania, it is more important not to give your right name when using a credit card, applying for a driver’s license, etc.
Marty

[mvsmith]

Fred, I’m concerned about that third line—the blue one.
Perhaps you should do a virus scan on your abacus.
Regards
Marty

[[RWP]DJM]

Fred, I’m concerned about that third line—the blue one.
Perhaps you should do a virus scan on your abacus.
Regards
Marty

LOL

I still prefer PC's 'abacus' (because ) they are quicker

I know, I'm getting worse

[TJK]

I have seen many posts ending with "Regards. (name)" I have no Idea if you acctually know, but just this sentence could get a virus inserted into your computer. Posting your real identity on online chat rooms, forums and games is simply very dangorous.Regards
Lusitania

Can you tell me how i will get a virus whit taping Regards TJK
My ip do not exposed Yost Adm and mod See my ip address and i don't think they will send me a virus.
firewall and anti virus program spam blocker pop up blocker, well i feel me wherry safety on this forum
TJK are me initialer but Wat will you get out of them? sure it's danger out their, but wee can't be paranoid aider
Regards
TJK
Tore

[saltydog]

Luckily there were Arabs, they came up with the concept 0..

[TerryRussell]

Hi lusitania (if that's who you really are  ) or is it Captain T? 

I have seen many posts ending with "Regards. (name)" I have no Idea if you acctually know, but just this sentence could get a virus inserted into your computer. Posting your real identity on online chat rooms, forums and games is simply very dangorous.Regards
Lusitania

I suspect the "many posts"" are often mine.
"regards, TerryRussell"

You'll notice that I use my real name in the posts. I also have given the town where I live and lots of other information, including my picture (which is freely available on my commercial web site). I am very easy to trace on the internet, since there over 3 million links to me personally in Google alone.

Do you know how many viruses have been inserted into my various computers because of that?

Not one, ever. There is no way it can be done from that information. If someone sends me an email with a virus, my antivirus software will catch it (in Norton we trust). But they can do that with or without that information.

Knowing my name will not give anyone my passwords. I see what you mean for anyone who is daft enough to use their own name as their password, though.

Do I have special systems or special software? No. Just the same as anyone else who has antivirus software and a router.

So, please rest easy. Regardless of whether any vicious fool knows anyone's name or not, the opportunity for viruses or hacking is not altered.

For everyone else, don't let lusitania's worries give you any sleepless nights. Don't use your own name as a password and you'll be fine.

[TerryRussell]

There is some danger—by putting “Fred” together with the fact that we know he’s mad, and checking the asylums, he should be easy to find.
Marty

Hi Marty.

Knowing that I am in fact a large piece of senile Gorgonzola, living in West Sussex must surely make me easily traceable as well?

Fortunately, I am personally totally infected with viruses already, so I don't think there is room for any more. 

[mvsmith]

Certainly by the aroma alone, Terry. It’s one, incidentally, of which I am fond.
One happy find was a place on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica that makes Gorgonzola pizza.
Regards,
Big Stilton

[Mad_Fred]

I suspect the "many posts"" are often mine.
"regards, TerryRussell"

You'll notice that I use my real name in the posts. I also have given the town where I live and lots of other information, including my picture (which is freely available on my commercial web site). I am very easy to trace on the internet, since there over 3 million links to me personally in Google alone.

   ..Terry Russell is your real name???  No way!!  I thought that was just your stagename and that your real name was something really plain like Johhny Stardust or something....   

Oh btw.. I only get 262.000 hits on your name.. And most are other chaps... 

 

Fred

[mvsmith]

Lusitania:
If your daddy cautioned you not to divulge any part of your real name in a chat room or forum, he was quite right in doing so. Children are particularly vulnerable to Internet predators, as they often lack the judgment—sometimes even the intelligence—to protect themselves.
I hope he also cautioned you never to meet someone in person, perhaps on the promise of an ice-cream cone.

This is not a chat room, despite the impression one might get from some topics. It is a gathering of people with an interest in ships in general, and Ship Simulator in particular. Many of us have formed strong personal friendships, and the use of first names is a reflection of that. To do otherwise would be odd indeed.

Interestingly, your first post—which began with a very arrogant statement—contained no mention of Ship Simulator. Not that you had it, not that you were thinking of getting it. I think we can be forgiven for assuming that you were trolling, or looking for a place where you could expound on subjects for the enlightenment of us less informed. If that is the case, I must warn you that it could be a very humiliating experience for you.

Marty

[mvsmith]

Don't use your own name as a password and you'll be fine.

I always use Terry’s name instead; if someone cracks it, it’s his problem.

[lusitania]

Hmm... I wonder how you virus scan an abacus...

[lusitania]

And Mvsmith, "Lusitania" was a cunard liner which had no relation ship with a "cap'in" of the "titanic at all" allthough Lusitania did sink one day...

[lusitania]

Hi lusitania (if that's who you really are  ) or is it Captain T? 

I suspect the "many posts"" are often mine.
"regards, TerryRussell"

You'll notice that I use my real name in the posts. I also have given the town where I live and lots of other information, including my picture (which is freely available on my commercial web site). I am very easy to trace on the internet, since there over 3 million links to me personally in Google alone.

Do you know how many viruses have been inserted into my various computers because of that?

Not one, ever. There is no way it can be done from that information. If someone sends me an email with a virus, my antivirus software will catch it (in Norton we trust). But they can do that with or without that information.

Knowing my name will not give anyone my passwords. I see what you mean for anyone who is daft enough to use their own name as their password, though.

Do I have special systems or special software? No. Just the same as anyone else who has antivirus software and a router.

So, please rest easy. Regardless of whether any vicious fool knows anyone's name or not, the opportunity for viruses or hacking is not altered.

For everyone else, don't let lusitania's worries give you any sleepless nights. Don't use your own name as a password and you'll be fine.

TerryRussel.

If you have given your name on this forum, as you may have found out, its fine, but giving your PICTURE on a WEBSITE is simply out of order. Very out of order. I recommend you delete it. No matter how many boxed internet security stuff you have on your shelf. I got some stupid e-mail yesterday from a hag myself, saying that he offerd to deliver a cheque of 1 million pounds and needed my full name, adress, and picture. One thing is certain. I like in the UK. and he may be in America. he didn't even ask me what COUNTRY i was in. Even in internet safety cd cases (my pet Norton one for instance,) say that you should NOT post any picture or adress online. Even, to stay really safe, not your name. Which this topic is about. If you want to see the maunual yourself. I am welcome to send you a copy of the picture.

Oh well, if you want to share your profile on the internet and be as danjorus as you want, be so. I cant "command you" All I am doing is helping you.

Regards
Lusitania