I posted a file on a forum and someone replied with my full name and made a comment about the name of the folder above the folder where the file was. The website i posted on doesn't even require you to log in, and I don't, so how could they know that? I was wondering how much of my computer can people see and how can they see it? I'm a bit paranoid about using my computer online now.

Dell Inspiron E1505
Windows XP Media Center SP2
Core Duo 3.66GHz
1GB

The website is ...?

i_XpUser

does that matter?

Dell Inspiron E1505
Windows XP Media Center SP2
Core Duo 3.66GHz
1GB

... it can matter because there are some glorious script fiddles websites can get up to that make you wrongly convinced that they can see into your system.

Also, if it happened to be a common file then it would have been quite easy to make an intelligent guess when compared to another machine.

That doesn't explain away the full name but if we could view the website it might give us a clue.

DerekW

Do not click

If I know the answer I'll tell you the answer, and if I don't, I'll just respond, cleverly

--Donald Rumsfeld

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

First of all, your name happens to be available since you have left, what I call, electronic footprints, on the net. I don't think they had to access your PC.

don2006

... but poster says he only left a file on there not his name.

Having said that we don't know what the file was so it might have contained this information.

DerekW

I understand that he didn't leave his name. He didn't leave it here either but now I have it just the same. I even know his girl friend's name. My point was that with a little searching, sometimes those things can be found.

don2006

OK I get your drift now.

DerekW

what all information is in my "virtual footprint"?

Toshiba Satellite 1800-S203
Windows XP SP2
Celeron 801MHz
376Mb

Try putting ssimon_says in Google, then delve into each hit.

DerekW

Are you sure you want me to post all that? Change your screen name. Get a web based email account. Don't post any profiles on any sites.
Don't connect any personal information with those things. Then join the Federal Witness Protection Program.

While you are at it change your email address because that is available to everyone too (including spammers). They don't even need to click a button.

You should NEVER post your email address in open text on the net unless you want to get spammed to death. They use engines to search for the "at signs".

The net isn't so bad, you just have to take care how you use it.

DerekW