DiscussMormonism.com

It seems like this keeps coming up, so I feel the need to begin a discussion. I'd like to ask a question about personal, real-world security and the Internet. Assuming there are no side-channel communications going on between you and other members using snail mail, telephony, Facebook, instant messengers (other than the one provided here), etc., who here would be genuinely concerned about threats of violence made from some crazy person on this board to you?

If at some time a crazy wished to kill me because of something I said, one of the first things he would need in order to begin a murder plan would be to find me in the real world. Can any of you please tell me my real name, home address, place of business or any other real world detail that might help you find me? Or, can you tell me how you might get that information if I haven't already provided it here on this board? Please be specific. Don't say something like, "I'd hack into this board and then I'd know everything about you." I mean what are the technical breadcrumbs that trace Euthyphro to the guy (or girl ) at the keyboard?

Now some of you would be right to point out that there are degrees of anonymity and more than a few of us have published our real names and addresses right here on this board. All I can say about that is those people must not be terribly concerned about crazies with murder plans, otherwise they would take the appropriate precautions, and here I don't mean lawsuits filed against mormondiscussions.com. Now if you are concerned about crazies and you have published your personal information far and wide then I really must know why you did that.

1) Live in a state where if some nutjob shows up and breaks into your home you have a right to shoot them.
2) Own and know how to shoot a gun.
3) LIE on all your internet facing information. LIE about your location. LIE about your name. DON'T put personal anything on the web and for the love of all that is google, DON'T publish real information on the board.

Tobin wrote:3) LIE on all your internet facing information. LIE about your location. LIE about your name. DON'T put personal anything on the web and for the love of all that is google, DON'T publish real information on the board.

Seriously this. If you insist on doing Facebook don't put personal information on it beyond name (like workplace or address). And don't connect your other Internet activity to Facebook.