BEWARE - Horrified one of my topics shows up on Google search

[Helina]

Well, lizzydripping** , they say we all have doubles somewhere.

helina

[mshrmh]

Like others I had "googled" surnames & found links to Rootschat. Today, having read this thread I "googled" my user name - top of the list was my Rootschat profile, but the other entries were very strange -
ESTree blast output page
CCGB BLAST Report Display
Tomato Expression Database

Now that is making me wonder!

[Helina]

mshrmh, just done the same, Why do we have usernames? 

helina

[Helina]

I subscribe to the BBC message board as well, put my username on google I use for the BBC, nothing.  Is the BBC more secure?

helina

[Shropshire Lass]

I'm still not sure...I mean a lot of Banks etc ask for (for example) your Mother's Maiden name, before giving out Account details over the phone. And we're telling (potentially) the world about it all on here!!!

Romilly.

The best way round this is not to use your mother's maiden name but to choose another name and always give that.  It puts a quick stop to any illegal transactions because the thief will have done his/her homework and found your mother's real name.

Monica

[Arranroots]

Hi Helina

We have user names to protect our identities (although some people choose things that reveal most of their details, lol!)

I can't say about the BBC site, but usually people aim to have their websites found by search engines such as Google, so Rootschat might be doing a better job?

It is certainly not a question of being secure or otherwise.  I hope that reassures you.

 

[LizzieW]

To my namesake!

I'm surprised I was allowed to use the name Lizziedripping as I see you joined Rootschat before me.  If I can, I will change my profile name.  As my avatar will stay the same, anyone who needed to pm me, would still recognise me.

Liz

[fek33]

I must admit I have used my 'username' on postings and don't give out my name except on PM's. 

I didn't really think about mothers's maiden names used by banks, etc.  I must look into this and change things!!!   

If it wasn't for a second cousin of mine 'googling' my relative's name, we wouldn't have been in touch and I wouldn't of received some lovely photos, info, etc.

Like you say, we have to be careful what info we do give out when wanting to find out info, etc.

FEK33   

[RJ_Paton]

I subscribe to the BBC message board as well, put my username on google I use for the BBC, nothing.  Is the BBC more secure?

helina

It is not a matter of being more secure it is rather to do with the nature of the boards setup.
 
The BBC site has gone along the path of a closed board where nothing is allowed out into the world and the only way anyone can find out if a member of the BBC site is carrying out research which may assist them is to join the BBC site. Some sites use this to force membership increases for advertisers (something which I am sure the BBC site is not guilty of)

Rootschat on the other hand is designed as a very slightly more "open" system which allows some viewing facilities to non members (a look but don't touch approach) to ensure that Rootschat and the enquiries of Rootschat members reach as wide an audience as possible.

Through this more open approach many members have been able to further their research and break down troubling brick walls and hopefully this will continue to assist members in their research.