Tech Talk with Marty: Privacy Invasion?

Privacy invasion or just plain fun?

Try this when you are surfing the net - it can be fun but also very scary. Go to www.google.com and type in your phone number complete with area code and see what happens. You can type in any phone number you want. Be sure you include the area code. You do not need the number one (1) in front of the phone number. Do not use dashes in the number. That comes later, type 5555555555.

Your name, number and address may pop up. If you think this is a privacy invasion, get rid of it by following these steps:

1. Type in www.google.com or just click on the URL.

2. If you think this is privacy invasion you can get your name and number off this database by: typing your phone number including your area code with the dashes. Use the following method XXX-XXX-XXXX, then click search. Click on the top line "Phonebook results for 5555555555" this will take you to a page that lets you "Request to have your name removed from this list, so you desire. (If your number is not published in a local phone book you will not get your number on Google.)

3. Click on the underscored "Request" and it will take you to a description of the service, it will also show you a link to get your number off the database.

4. After twenty-four (24) hours go back to Google and re-enter your number just to check if it has been removed. If it has not, go through the process a second time.

You can use this application to locate your home address, and receive exact directions of how to get there from anywhere in the country. For that matter you can get anyone’s address and information across the nation.

Try this one, you can also type an address: 142 Dock Street, Annapolis Maryland. This is a neat little hardware store on the waterfront.

If you don’t mind your number and/or address on Google, leave it on and tell your friends about this Google service. You can use this service free and get your friends to visit now that they know how to get to your home.

Use our computer perspicaciously, have fun!

Thanks,

Marty Martinez