BIG DITTOs there rharv!

That's why I DO NOT have a Facebook account, a twitter account, and DO NOT post much about my true "personal" life.

1) my (now part time) employer frowns on it or the use/access to social media, 2) frankly to do so in this day and age of ID theft IS down right STUPID anyway, and 3) that info is not needed by ANYONE on the internet!

Bob,

First let me say it is too bad your being harrassed in that way by some sicko.

Having said that, I have read all your posts and my heart went/goes out to you. But I seriously questioned why you, and you are not alone here unfortunately, would even consider posting that type of info in a public forum. It would be great if everyone here were near and dear friends and family; however, the ugly reality is that is not (always) the case.

I personally assume it is NEVER the case. For all intents and purposes, you are all strangers to whom I will be polite, I will say "howdie" to, I will share tech help if/when able (in my case very seldom because I usually can’t due to lack of know how), and I might pass on some light hearted info or a friendly jibe (depending on intended poster) but that is the extent of my "caring and sharing" on the web.

I have VPN accounts (separate physical PC behind another firewall) that require "smart cards" just to get access to the "sign in" screen were another user name and VERY STRINGENT, and constantly changing, password is required. Even there I'm uncomfortable posting "personal info" when needed.


Old story and all the ex-mil types will get this (unless they are WWII/Korea only vets). At one time the uniformed services assigned service members SERVICE numbers. Then some bean counter (probably McNamara wannabe's) got the bright ID that SSNs would be universally better (for the US Gov't). So in Jul of '69 the USA and USAF changed over, with DoN to follow later (around '72'ish). We had SSN's on ID cards, on orders, on any and EVERY single piece of paperwork generated, on your "dog tags," you couldn't even cash a check at the commissary, BX, or PX without a SSN on it. Even before the age of general use PC's and the internet - we all knew this was probably NOT a good idea but the US Gov't insisted so we were stuck.


To this DAY that information, paperwork, and files are floating around out there (old farts like me would be surprised/sickened by how easy it is to get at sometimes). Not only that, but all supporting information: birth dates, birth location, full legal name (including maiden names and full "parental unit" names), spousal info, etc., were (ARE) associated with that SSN.

It was only RECENTLY that the military stopped putting SSNs on MIL ID cards (as a retiree I can FINALLY get new ID cards without a SSN prominently displayed). But I still have to redact copies of old personal paperwork - at times - if I need it for something.

Even though US Gov't stopped putting THAT info in "human readable form" ON service members ID cards - it makes me sick the amount of additional info that is now IN the ID cards (so called CAC or smart cards) but it is "encrypted" so it is safe (duh?) - I personally doubt it and suspect that's another ill conceived Gov't train wreck waiting to happen.

RANT OFF

Last edited by Larry Kehl; 10/14/12 01:25 PM.