Names

[WayneConnor]

I notice people here mainly use a nickname, not their real name, what's the reason for that?
Is there a security issue?
Thanks!

 

[Warragul]

For some it would be that their posts may have information that is not be completely public (eg commercial in confidence). If any of theses posts are picked up by media outlets then the author remains anonymous.

 

[WayneConnor]

For some it would be that their posts may have information that is not be completely public (eg commercial in confidence). If any of theses posts are picked up by media outlets then the author remains anonymous.

So it's more to do with what you post rather than identification?

 

[bcworld]

I'd say it was just the standard way things were done in online forums before social media i.e. Facebook groups took over for similar purposes.

 

[Beer_budget]

You of course can use your real name, and others certainly have, but internet safety 101 is do not doxx yourself online. I personally would not (obviously) but you choose your own level of comfort and risk there.

You might find it instructional though to Google yourself and see how much information about you (and your family, employment, location etc) comes up, especially when you've also provided an actual photo of yourself for confirmation.

 

[markis10]

Some of our members have had their name changed by presidential decree, but are resisting the change, @Denali

 

[Flyerwin]

I prefer to be anonymous as much as possible online.

 

[Forg]

I was given a nickname over 35 years ago that’s nice & short so it’s good to use as a username too.

 

[Denali]

Some of our members have had their name changed by presidential decree, but are resisting the change, @Denali

 

[n7of9]

I started using the internet in the late 90's. The only rule that existed at the time was 'don't ever use your real name online'. I stand by it. I've never had a Facebook* account because when it was first launched it asked for real name and prior education and I just laughed at it (still do, but for different reasons). I use VPNs on computers and phones, non-tracking browsers, and absolutely resent the fact my employment requires me to have a LinkedIn account with my real name.

*Having FB on your phone not only tracks YOU, but tracks every single device you come in contact with. FB already knows who my friends are via how much time my device spends in the company if their device. If I were to open a FB account today, it would just link the profile it already has via my device ID to me, instantly knowing where I've been since I've had this phone (and I only say this phone because I've not looked in to how their tracking deals with device changes).

Yes, I buy aluminium foil in bulk and I consider it a good investment.

 

[offshore171]

I notice people here mainly use a nickname, not their real name, what's the reason for that?
Is there a security issue?
Thanks!

Probably a few different reasons in play.

Privacy - fairly obvious

Security - people often talk about their travel movements here (eg: I'm in Korea for the next couple of weeks). If you have a distinctive name or are identifiable, people know you're away from home. People also talk about financial matters like FF Credit Card applications etc in some of the subforums here.

Doxxing - again fairly obvious.

Mitigating/avoiding bigotry would be another factor too - Certain first/surnames correlate to specific ethnic groups, and sadly there are some nasty people out there that target people based solely on this type of thing. Using a nickname takes that factor out of play.