Post by CSR on Jul 4, 2006 10:46:21 GMT -5
Some information regarding privacy that you may like to be aware of:
1. This forum is not private. We do not openly advertise this forum to the outside world. However, anyone who has a link to the forum can access, read, and post information. This site is also searchable via Google and other search engines, and incoming students have shared the link to this forum on StudentDoctor.net. We do not allow posts by individuals not affiliated with Case (prospective, incoming, and visiting students are okay).
2. We are unable to make this site completely private. Unfortunately, we are unable to block Google from indexing this forum. Secondly, CSR decided in 2006 to make this forum open so that incoming students (who do not yet have Case IDs or email addresses) are able to participate on the forum as well.
3. What search engines can see, spammers can see as well. Spammers use programs that automatically harvest email addresses from websites, including forums like these. These programs are designed to look for the name@domain.com pattern.
4. The email address you used in registration may not be protected. If during registration you enabled the option to have your email be displayed in your profile, then everyone else (registered users, guests, search engines) has access to your email address by clicking on your name.
5. We do not censor your personal information. We assume that if you post personal information, you meant to post it, with full knowledge that it will become freely available on the internet.
So, in light of all of this, how can you protect your personal information? Tips:
1. Hide your email address in your profile. You can find out if your email address is hidden by clicking "profile" at top. If there is the words "(hidden)" next to your email address, then it is hidden to everyone else (except to administrators). To hide your email address, click on "profile," then "Modify Profile," then set "Hide Email:" to "No," and click the "Modify Profile" button at bottom.
2. Share your personal information in hard-to-Google formats. For example, if you need to provide an email address, just give the part before the @ sign, leaving off "case.edu". We would know the rest, but Google and email harvesting programs wouldn't. Some examples:
jxd999@
jxd999 at case
jxd999 (a) case (.) edu
jane.doe | gmail
3. Only include as much personal information as needed for people to contact you. If your email addresses is hidden in your profile, you must provide some contact information in your posts if you'd like people to contact you outside of the forum (e.g. regarding books, rooming). Avoid providing phone numbers or street address -- you can send that info in an email. I would recommend giving only first name, last name initial, year, and email address. For example:
John D, '10, jxd999@
4. Edit/Delete old messages containing too much personal information. Try Googling yourself and see if anything comes up. If you don't know how to edit your posts, I can do it for you.
Last words:
We check this forum at least once every few days and will do our best to protect your privacy. However, ultimately it's up to you to protect your own privacy. Feel free to email me for help or if you have any questions!
Wayne L, '10, hwl3@
1. This forum is not private. We do not openly advertise this forum to the outside world. However, anyone who has a link to the forum can access, read, and post information. This site is also searchable via Google and other search engines, and incoming students have shared the link to this forum on StudentDoctor.net. We do not allow posts by individuals not affiliated with Case (prospective, incoming, and visiting students are okay).
2. We are unable to make this site completely private. Unfortunately, we are unable to block Google from indexing this forum. Secondly, CSR decided in 2006 to make this forum open so that incoming students (who do not yet have Case IDs or email addresses) are able to participate on the forum as well.
3. What search engines can see, spammers can see as well. Spammers use programs that automatically harvest email addresses from websites, including forums like these. These programs are designed to look for the name@domain.com pattern.
4. The email address you used in registration may not be protected. If during registration you enabled the option to have your email be displayed in your profile, then everyone else (registered users, guests, search engines) has access to your email address by clicking on your name.
5. We do not censor your personal information. We assume that if you post personal information, you meant to post it, with full knowledge that it will become freely available on the internet.
So, in light of all of this, how can you protect your personal information? Tips:
1. Hide your email address in your profile. You can find out if your email address is hidden by clicking "profile" at top. If there is the words "(hidden)" next to your email address, then it is hidden to everyone else (except to administrators). To hide your email address, click on "profile," then "Modify Profile," then set "Hide Email:" to "No," and click the "Modify Profile" button at bottom.
2. Share your personal information in hard-to-Google formats. For example, if you need to provide an email address, just give the part before the @ sign, leaving off "case.edu". We would know the rest, but Google and email harvesting programs wouldn't. Some examples:
jxd999@
jxd999 at case
jxd999 (a) case (.) edu
jane.doe | gmail
3. Only include as much personal information as needed for people to contact you. If your email addresses is hidden in your profile, you must provide some contact information in your posts if you'd like people to contact you outside of the forum (e.g. regarding books, rooming). Avoid providing phone numbers or street address -- you can send that info in an email. I would recommend giving only first name, last name initial, year, and email address. For example:
John D, '10, jxd999@
4. Edit/Delete old messages containing too much personal information. Try Googling yourself and see if anything comes up. If you don't know how to edit your posts, I can do it for you.
Last words:
We check this forum at least once every few days and will do our best to protect your privacy. However, ultimately it's up to you to protect your own privacy. Feel free to email me for help or if you have any questions!
Wayne L, '10, hwl3@