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Trina Sonnenberg

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Identity Crisis
1/26/2007 2:19:03 PM

Trina L.C. Sonnenberg


Each day I bring my mother the mail. And just as often as not, I hear her say something like: Where does all this junk come from? I've never heard of these people. How did they get my name?

I always give her the same answer, but she must reject it, for she continues to wonder.I keep telling her that companies buy and sell mailing lists all of the time.

It works the same way on the Internet. Companies buy and sell mailing lists, spammers harvest email addresses, and regular people get slammed with junk mail. Granted, a lot of spam could be avoided if people would stop getting suckered into giving their email address to every promotional company that sends out a survey, or promises to deliver some prize, but the buying and selling of mailing lists, spyware and spammers are the major sources of most peoples' junk email woes.

But, did you know that social networking web sites and other membership sites could be selling your information? And, they can sell more than just your email address. They can sell more than your postal address too. They can sell all of the information you enter on their site, to the highest bidder.

Not all of these types of sites are sleazy, but it would be wise to do some snooping before handing over your information, or posting anything. Make sure you thoroughly read their privacy policy and terms of service first and foremost, before signing up to any site. If they don't have this information available prior to you giving out your information, then DO NOT give them your personal information.

Have a look at this link, a trusted friend shared with me: http://www.albumoftheday.com/facebook/ Now, I don't know that this information is accurate, but it really makes one stop and think. How safe is my information, upon joining social networking sites, really?

One thing to remember too, is that you don't have to answer every profile question, just because it is there on the form. A fair amount of the time, the questions are only there because they want to know, not because they need to know. Another protection to consider is to make sure you visit your user control panel, and adjust your privacy settings to where you want them. Don't just assume that the site's default is going to keep your information from those who shouldn't have it.

And, parents... Pay attention to where your kids go and what they do online. Kids are the easiest targets for online privacy abuse.

Copyright © 2007
The Trii-Zine Ezine
www.ezines1.com

About the Author:
Trina L.C. Sonnenberg
Publisher - The Trii-Zine Ezine - Internet marketing and home business resources and information. Serving online professionals since 2001.
http://www.ezines1.com/triizine
http://www.trinaschiller.ws

Keywords: junk mail, spam, spammers, identity theft


Trina L.C. Sonnenberg Freelance Commercial Writer TLC Promotions & The Trii-Zine Ezine ISSN 1555-2276 http://www.tlcpromotions.net http://trii-zine.com http://FAA.tlcpromotions.net
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Larry Blethen

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Re: Identity Crisis
1/26/2007 8:28:54 PM
hello Trina...good information...thank you...Larry
Larry Blethen http://www.bluelight-marketing.com larry.blethen@bluelight-marketing.com, 304-369-5603
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