Jerry's Security Talk

The way I see it, there are three levels of security when it comes to your identification on the internet.

The FIRST LEVEL is "Its really me." If you are doing online banking, selling or business with a
trusted web site - then you can and must use true identification. That may include your name,
address, age, social security, phone number and other "trusted" information. Obviously, the
number of sites you trust will be extremely limited!

Let's explain the THIRD level before we explain the SECOND level.
The THIRD LEVEL is "Bogus time." If a web site is requesting your email address, it may be
doing it to sell your address to thousands of spamers. Why take the chance? Using a bogus
email address will get you into deeper into this company's web pages - as long as "verification"
is not required. If it's required, go to the SECOND LEVEL. So, what do you enter on their form?
Total lies! Your are not talking to a trusted friend or a police officer - so why would you give
a total stranger identifying information? Here are PAT ANSWERS: Email a@b.com, password: 123456,
city: Greenville, state: SC, zip 29615, sex: Male, birthdate: Jan 1, 1910, verifying
question/favourite pet: dogdog.

The SECOND LEVEL is "EMAIL VERIFICATION." BUT FIRST TRY THE THIRD LEVEL. By verfication, I mean
you open up a web page (let's say a FORUM, DOWNLOAD or CHAT page) that requires verification
proving you are not a BOT (a computer program) or downloading sponge. The web company will
"send" you an email - and you must reply to verify your existence - and then let you proceed
to actually use the web site. Does this mean you have to give out a real email address? Well,
sort of "real." You can use any of the FREE emails available - HOTMAIL, MSN, YAHOO. If the web
company turns around and sells your email address - and you find yourself overwhelmed with s
pam - heck - get a brand new email account and move on. At least they didn't ruin your PERSONAL
email address, eh? By now you've figured out that the only difference from the SECOND level and
the THIRD level is the EMAIL address! Yeap. In the SECOND level - your email must be a freebie
account. All other answers to personal identification information is still bogus.

As a further distiction in security - All women should answer "male" on the internet. You are
less likely to be bothered that way. Children will be a little safer from predators if they
list their age as over 80. At no time should you tell people your true name, address, school,
friend's names, phone number, or anything else! The internet can be a scary place - why take
any chances? Oh, and to the people that live in Greenville SC - you are welcome to say you
live anywhere else (I would if I lived there!) - just kidding.