Current:Home > MyIf you think you are hidden on the internet, think again! Stalk yourself to find out -Secure Horizon Growth
If you think you are hidden on the internet, think again! Stalk yourself to find out
View
Date:2025-04-14 19:09:55
You know by now you should keep the private things in life off the internet. Your middle name, job, city, pet's name, the school you went to, your spouse’s name, the ages of your kids, your shoe size – the details a scammer or hacker would love to have.
A popular new TikTokker is proving most of us are a lot worse at this than we assumed. Let’s take a closer look at "consensual doxxing” and how you can dig up everything out there online about yourself.
I write about the latest tech gear, security alerts and digital life hacks in my daily emails.Join 600K+ who get the Current each day. It’s free!
She has it down to an art
TikTokker Kristen Sotakoun has become an overnight viral sensation, going from 30 followers to 1.1 million, for what she calls "consensual doxxing." In her first viral video, Kristen unearthed a guy's identity from a cartoon avatar and a pair of glasses.
In another, she used only a TikTok business username to track down its owner, winding her way from a car forum to a 2014 blog to online records of his journey to donate an organ. (She found the actual paperwork!)
Think your accounts are locked up like Fort Knox? Nope
Kristen says she’s cracked about 70% to 80% of her “cases,” and all she's using are the social media crumbs people leave behind – no deep dives into public records or sketchy databases.
If she can do it, anyone can. I’ll show you some tricks of the trade.
Hit the basics
Google is the easiest place to begin your search. Enter your full name in quotation marks, like “Bobby Smith.” There are plenty of Bobby Smiths out there, so you’ll want to narrow your search using other information, such as what city you live in.
Check social media
Do this from your browser in incognito mode or log out of your accounts to see what others might find. Remember, though, many people don’t use their real names online. If you find one of your online aliases in your Google search, know that others will too – and might pop that into Instagram, Pinterest, or another site.
And if you have a LinkedIn, I will bet you use your real name there. Is your city included? All your past jobs? I thought so.
Your house is online too
I don’t mean Zillow. Anyone can look up your address on a county’s assessor site. These government-run sites use data from assessors to estimate the value of real property within a county, city, town, or village.
You can find out the value of the property, its size and the owner’s name. Not all assessor sites provide the same information, but you can often find the owner’s signature and listings of other properties they own.
A picture is worth a thousand words
Words and profiles are one thing, but what about pictures of you? All these sites are worth checking to see what pops up.
◾ Pimeyes: This site allows you to upload an image of yourself (or anyone) to find that image across the internet. This is particularly useful for tracking down where your photos appear online.
◾ TinEye: Another excellent reverse image search tool.
◾ Yandex Images: This is the image search side of Yandex, Russia's largest search engine. It allows you to perform reverse image searches and find similar photos online.
You might want to start thinking of your digital footprint as unique to you but easily lifted if you're not careful.
Get my podcast
“Kim Komando Today” is a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and callers with tech questions like you from all over the country. Search for it wherever you get your podcasts using my last name. For your convenience, hit the link below for a recent episode.
PODCAST PICK:Food delivery bomb prank, Amazon passkeys & hidden Airbnb cam
Plus, hear about a man who tattoos his online trolls' faces on himself in a unique payback plot. Do you lurk on your ex’s social profiles? I reveal the science behind why we do it – even if it’s not good for you. Also, Amazon shopping hacks for snagging deals and tips to ace voice typing.
Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just search for my last name, “Komando.”
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation's largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today's digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website.
veryGood! (519)
Related
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Women's college volleyball to follow breakout season with nationally televised event on Fox
- 'The Crown' fact check: How did Will and Kate meet? Did the queen want to abdicate throne?
- Israeli president speaks against 2-state solution ahead of meeting with U.S security chief
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- Militants attack police office and army post in northwest Pakistan. 2 policemen, 3 attackers killed
- Camila Alves McConaughey’s Holiday Gift Ideas Will Make You the Best Gift Giver in Your Family
- Alabama football quarterback Jalen Milroe returning to Crimson Tide in 2024
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Pennsylvania House back to a 101-101 partisan divide with the resignation of a Democratic lawmaker
Ranking
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- These 18 Trendy Gifts Will Cement Your Status As The Cool Sibling Once & For All
- The Vatican’s ‘trial of the century,’ a Pandora’s box of unintended revelations, explained
- Asha traveled over 100 miles across state lines. Now, the endangered Mexican wolf has a mate.
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- Catholics in Sacramento and worldwide celebrate Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
- They're in the funny business: Cubicle comedians make light of what we all hate about work
- Does driving or grocery shopping make you anxious? Your eyes may be the problem.
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Fentanyl-tainted gummy bears sicken 5 kids at Virginia school; couple charged in case.
Officer shoots, kills 2 dogs attacking man at Ohio golf course, man also shot: Police
Gospel Singer Pedro Henrique Dead at 30 After Collapsing Onstage
Google unveils a quantum chip. Could it help unlock the universe's deepest secrets?
More nature emojis could be better for biodiversity
Rarely seen killer whales spotted hunting sea lions off California coast
Emma Stone's Cute Moment With Ex Andrew Garfield Will Have Your Spidey Senses Tingling