BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)

Subject: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: gnu
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 10:42 AM

Beer sent me this. Thanks bud.

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: Richie Black (misused acct, bad email)
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 11:04 AM

The internet is a wonderful resource and a valuable educational tool. But like most powerful tools it can also be dangerous.

I would NEVER post a photograph of myself on the internet. Because you never know, days later your photo would wind up circulating in the web.

I went to a reunion dinner last December, two weeks later my son saw photographs of the event on a so called social website. Needless to say, I contacted the person who put them up and demanded me removed any that included me.

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: bobad
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 11:12 AM

Thanks for the info guys. I just posted the link on my Facebook page, especially for the young folk out there who may be unknowingly making themselves vulnerable.

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 11:42 AM

Please understand...this is ONLY about photos taken with the newer cameras/phones that include GPS information. That allows some to read the EXIF data and determine exactly where & when the pic was taken and thus find the person...or know that they are not home.

If one takes to trouble to edit the pic and delete that data... or set the device to NOT record GPS info, there's little to worry about.

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 11:43 AM

I don't have a camera that includes GPS capability, although "she" has a phone with a camera. So far as is known, she's never actually taken a picture with it.

Many photo/image editing programs lack the ability even to display the information that's imprinted as part of an original photo. The programs that can display it can sometimes be used to remove or edit the info.

If you really want to post a picture and are concerned, make a print of the picture and scan it back to a new file. The print doesn't contain the data so of course a scan of the print won't give anything away. If you print an 8x10 on plain paper (no high priced photo paper really needed with a decent printer) a scan at 200 or 300 dpi scaled back to a 3x5 inch 96 dpi will have all the resolution needed for ordinary web posting.

Of course that procedure doesn't allow "instant posting" when you snap something your "Friends" just have to see immediately.

Some more sophisticated cameras allow you to turn off the data imprinting, but it's generally an "advanced setting" that may be obscure when you RTFM.

The GPS location would probably be the main thing that would be a serious concern, although the date/time stamp alone could tell someone when you were "not at home" and picture content might indicate how soon you could be back.

There are of course the embarrassing acts recorded in the pics that might haunt you for the rest of your life. They'll probably be just as incriminating in the print.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: number 6
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 11:53 AM

more paranoia.

I found a photo of my uncle on the net ... outside his home, street number visible in the photo, a caption mentioning the town .... my uncle has been dead for 7o years now. I haven't a clue if the house is still there, and if it is. I have no clue as to who currently resides there. I just hope some evil bad guys don trace it down and break in.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: gnu
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 11:58 AM

There are other issues sIx. Not just a pic of someone somewhere. Anyone can find out where you live and they don't need a pic.

Subject: RE: BS: Posting pics on the net (security issue)
From: number 6
Date: 12 Mar 11 - 12:05 PM

I know gnu. Even if you get off the "grid", your imprint and DNA will always be there.

Actually I'm more frightened of the guy who cuts me off in traffic and and to whom I give the 1 finger salute ... causing my wife to berate ... "stop it! You don't know if that guys is going to follow us home and shoot you!"

biLL .... :-)