[Caretaker Leo]

I hope there is a way to belong here under the secure https secure site option. Just found one of the members using Google. I don't want that to be an option for anyone - we need our privacy.

If a moderator or someone else sees this and wants to delete the thread - that is fine. I just couldn't find a good option to contact someone here about my concern.

[babydoll233]

wow... this isnt good.....

[googley]

Here is a link to a previous thread about PC being searchable.
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showt...rchable&page=2

[Flooded]

Which is exactly why no one should be sharing details they aren't comfortable with the world knowing.

[Elysium]

Nothing on-line is "secure". If someone wants information badly enough they can get it, and quite easily. "Https:" may hold people with bad intentions at bay a little longer, but it is not an unbreakable barrier by any means. We are all vulnerable of people getting our information off the internet. In fact, the internet was invented for just that, to get information and to be able to communicate more quickly with others.

The best suggestion I can offer is one that has already been offered. Only share what you are comfortable with the rest of the world knowing. The folks behind the PC curtain do their best to protect the privacy of it's members, and for that I thank them. The truth is though it is up to us to decide what risks we are willing to take to be a part of this community. I've been here at PC since March of '09 and I have learned that the risk is relatively low.

I hope this helps to allay your fears.

[lynn P.]

I agree with the other posters. Another alternative if a member for instance was worried about a friend or family member knowing their username and details - a member could also PM an administrator and ask them to delete certain threads or change your username and just keep in mind others could be reading. Most of these members don't have real names and certainly not full names.

[littlebitlost]

I agree with a new username, a unique one for sites where you want your privacy. I use this username anywhere else. Nobody would associate it with me.

[disguise123]

why are you googling other members? im confused, nobody uses their name here.

[disguise123]

eh yes i just googled my self
And there are my posts amoungst other peoples links who obviously use the same name elsewhere.

Guess i should have thought of it earlier but think i will be quitting PC NOW.

[disguise123]

its very easy to contact dr john to change ur user name

[DocJohn]

Two things that are being confused here --

1. "https" is an encryption protocol, usually used for logins to a website. A must-have for things like online banking and financial transactions, it'll be something we'll look at implementing here to ensure your login is "secure." For the record, in 10 years we've run these forums, we've never had someone's login compromised through an attack that https would protect from (doesn't mean it couldn't happen, but it requires a fair amount of effort and access to either the user's computer network or our network).

2. Implementation of https has nothing to do with Google searches. Websites implementing the "https" protocol are still readily indexable by Google and other search engines.

We allow search engines to index our community to try and ensure people who are looking for a safe, supportive online community can find ours.

When you first register here, we warn you explicitly to choose a username not used elsewhere online to protect your online privacy.

Best,
DocJohn

[disguise123]

thanks doctor john

[TL]

Thanks DocJohn for clarifying that information. It'll help members to better understand.