Topic: Anonymity or full disclosure? (Read 366 times)

I'm just wondering what your thoughts are.

If you're into security work, would you prefer to keep an anonymous profile online or use your full name?

I mean if your aim is to 'create a better' world and not make a name for yourself, why would you need to be non-anonymous?

I always thought the thoughts, concepts and ideas were more important than any single person. And I see a lot of people in the security field run into problems when they try to cross borders, and sometimes we even see its retaliated against them from black hats.

Would it not be safer to stay anonymous? Or is your voice less strong then? Some people say that people who remain anonymous are cowards, and that they cannot be taken seriously.

But, imo - some people are actually more interested in changing the world, or doing good than having their name out there, receiving all kinds of prices and being celebrated for who they are.

Some people are not interested in fame, and rather value their privacy.

I also think that posting in your own name makes most people think more about what they write, as this can easily be googled by any connections, be it in business or otherwise.

For example, as a business professional, you might be applying for a job within IT security at a bank, but after the ones hiring you googles your name, and see that you're into animal protection, and is quite the activist, your application is turned down, and often you won't even get to know the real reason for it being turned down.

Or, you could have quite the history of having a certain political view presently or in the past, and then the one hiring has the opposite opinions, and when googling and learning about your stance, also turns down your application.

I see a lot of people restrict themselves when speaking under their full name online, as they have so many concerns they need to address (family, job, community). Some things people say under they full name online could in essence wreak havoc to their entire life, even though it was true. For instance, if someone knows of corruption in the local government, those being targeted could easily ruin your life if you openly told about it.

So I think the fact that many newspapers and so on demands you to use your real name, is not always the best thing to do.

In addition, it's enough that one twisted sick fucker googles your name, and come to your doorstep and shot you dead if he disagrees with whatever you write when it comes to say abortion, religion or any other controversial subject or subject that is emotional for a lot of people.

In essence, I think privacy is important - even when you're not into controversial stuff or opposing powerful enemies. What do you all think?