-aegis-

Sorry if this is the wrong section for this...I couldn't figure out where else to ask since this isn't really a tech question.

Even when you are registering for free, many websites require you to enter your name, date of birth, country, state/province, and even your city and zip/postal code. My question is, why do they need such specifics? It makes sense when it's a commerical site where you buy or sell stuff, but for almost everything else I don't see why they would need this information unless they plan to send you unwanted spam or maybe even for more sinister purposes. And even if their motives aren't bad, I don't trust that these sites won't get hacked and this info gets stolen.

It doesn't really matter, since I almost always enter false info, but I just thought I'd ask.

Thoughts?

Fox

I would be really cautious with sites like these. Some are safe if they're legit and you specifically opt out of their advertisements. Some are not. Just use your gut instinct and if you get any weird feelings just don't bother with it.

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dai

the only time i would give my street addy is when i am buying and they will not deliver to a po box

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Deckard

Does anyone actually fill these out truthfully?

Unless I'm receiving a service (software or physical good), I never use my real name and I never give my demographic information. As far as most companies know, I was born on January 1st, 1900 and live on N/A, Oregon, 90210. You'd be surprised how many websites don't even bother to check to see if the zip matches the state. This isn't always the case, but more times than not I lie. Who's gonna know?

Oh, and if you're looking for a throwaway email address, I recommend mailinator, although I have my own dedicated spam address that I usually give out (thanks Yahoo!).

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Fox

Oh yeah, I was Bob Miller for the longest time when I used to be extremely paranoid about that.

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DumberDrummer

I honestly don't care anymore... people get all paranoid about information and the internet.... "THEY CAN TRACK YOU DOWN AND RAPE YOU IN DARK ALLEYS!"

I figure if anyone was going to stalk someone, it would be a helluva lot easier to do it to someone in your own community.... look at their mail to see their name and address, and follow them to school, etc... why go through all the trouble of using the internet and trying to weasel information out of kids online?

That's why my name and address are freely available to all.... all you have to do is come into salem and look at a yellowpages strapped to any phone booth and you have my address...

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Deckard

It's not paranoia that keeps me from giving websites my name and information. They have to earn the right to get it from me, and most of the time they're just asking to be asking. Besides, I bet a lot of them turn around and sell any information they gather to someone else for money, just like they do in meatspace.

I honestly can't think of a reason why I'd want more targeted junk mail, electronic or otherwise.

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bry623

When I get junk mail, I cut it up into small pieces and then shred some newspaper and stuff as much of it as I can back into their prepaid envelope. They have to pay by weight. Capitol One sends me nothing now!

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95five-0

I can not stand any one asking for my informatin with out giving me an explination first. Does matter if it is on the internet or at a store. Every time I go some where that asks for my phone number I give a fake one. The funny thing is since I have started doing this I don't get any telemarketer calls. And I always live at 123 Main St. Anytown, USA.

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Deckard

Heh. I used to do this, too, when I had more time. I'd actually switch stuff around, so they never actually got their stuff back.

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Terrister

So I am not the only one that says he was born 1-1-1900. I have only had one web site tell me I was to old to be there.
My fav for email addresses include- me@work.now and me@home.now
Only timer that does not work I give them one of my junkmail hotmail accounts. They can spam that one all they want.
For phone #'s I use 555-555-1212 most of the time.
Like others, I make up a postal address unless I really think I need something sent to me from them.

I think if more people would do this, they would back off all the data mining.

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