I'm embarrassed to be considered a Knottie right now

Inkdancer

Thank you, @KnotPorscha

I think we can all agree (at least those of us commenting in this thread) that things got way out of hand. I know you can't be around constantly but I hope that someone can keep monitoring the forums so stuff like this can be handled quickly and professionally.

Fran1985

KnotPorscha said:

Hey guys, once we track down who shared the personal information, they will be banned and deleted. 

No offense but wouldn't that be pretty clear? Like when you looked at the thread to decide to take it down, wouldn't you see that posting right in there?

AlexisA01

That thread was shocking...and so were the people who left nasty messages, however well deserved, on her guestbook.

I'm glad the thread at least is gone.  Things won't be as exciting, perhaps, but hopefully they won't get so nasty.

Stuck in Box

How was it well deserved? It was borderline bullying with some of the comments.

happywiggle

Inkdancer said:

Thank you, @KnotPorscha

I think we can all agree (at least those of us commenting in this thread) that things got way out of hand. I know you can't be around constantly but I hope that someone can keep monitoring the forums so stuff like this can be handled quickly and professionally.

ditto this!

sarawifenow

MrsMack10612 said:

@Sarabridesoon - perhaps you should (if you can actually get an answer) ask the KGs to delete the thread.  It might be the best way to remove any vestiges of personal information that was there.

I am going to follow this advice. The whole situation today has shown me that this just isn't worth it.

ScoutF

SaraBrideSoon said:

MrsMack10612 said:

@Sarabridesoon - perhaps you should (if you can actually get an answer) ask the KGs to delete the thread.  It might be the best way to remove any vestiges of personal information that was there.

I am going to follow this advice. The whole situation today has shown me that this just isn't worth it.

I'd probably change your username as well if Sara is your real name. Better to be safe than sorry.

happywiggle

ScoutF said:

SaraBrideSoon said:

MrsMack10612 said:

@Sarabridesoon - perhaps you should (if you can actually get an answer) ask the KGs to delete the thread.  It might be the best way to remove any vestiges of personal information that was there.

I am going to follow this advice. The whole situation today has shown me that this just isn't worth it.

I'd probably change your username as well if Sara is your real name. Better to be safe than sorry.

You guys are making me want to switch my name now... should I? Thoughts?

sarawifenow

I am not going to change my name. There are a ridiculous number of Sara's in my state. I'm good.

sofakingmad

I've had 3 different names. I also try to not give out too much personal information. There are some cray cray people on the internet.

manateehugger

@KnotPorscha, can I ask what preventative measures The Knot is exploring to ensure this doesn't happen again? Someone shouldn't have this happen simply because someone else went to lunch.

rajahmd

PDKH said:

@KnotPorscha, can I ask what preventative measures The Knot is exploring to ensure this doesn't happen again? Someone shouldn't have this happen simply because someone else went to lunch.

This is a really good point. It took way too long for @KnotPorscha to come in and clean up. The poster's personal information was available for almost an hour.

This is why we need mods. If we had a mod, they could have closed the thread and deleted the personal information before it got out of hand. This is ridiculous.

mellyD2014

Woah, people actually started reaching out on their website??? That's insane! That thread started out as a good hate read, but holy heck people, take a chill pill.

daria24

 

PDKH said:

@KnotPorscha, can I ask what preventative measures The Knot is exploring to ensure this doesn't happen again? Someone shouldn't have this happen simply because someone else went to lunch.

And if it had happened on Friday at 6pm, it would have been up until Monday at 11am. 

theartistformerlyknownas

I think it would be good practice for everyone to Google their username and see if the things that come up are personally linked to you. Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, etc. You may not have shared any personal information here, but if you used the same username as on another site, and you shared more information on that site (as we've seen, as little as first name and state can go a long way) then you should probably change your username either here or on the other platform(s).

happywiggle

lolo883 said:

I think it would be good practice for everyone to Google their username and see if the things that come up are personally linked to you. Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, etc. You may not have shared any personal information here, but if you used the same username as on another site, and you shared more information on that site (as we've seen, as little as first name and state can go a long way) then you should probably change your username either here or on the other platform(s).

Good point... only things that are mine are TB, TK, and TN activity. I kind of accepted that happening when I signed up. Stupid google

MrsMack10612

I tried it too @amrhodes23. The only things that came up for me were my TK posts, I'm not entirely surprised as this is the only place I use this username. ETA: I also did my full FB name and even then only a few wedding registry related items and my mom's obituary are the only things that came up.

sarawifenow

The past couple of days have really tought me how scary easy it is to find personal info on the internet!

Maggie0829

PDKH said:

@KnotPorscha, can I ask what preventative measures The Knot is exploring to ensure this doesn't happen again? Someone shouldn't have this happen simply because someone else went to lunch.

I think TK should make it a requirement to password protect your wedding website.  There shouldn't even be an option to have it public.

theartistformerlyknownas

Honestly... it was far easier to "find people" 30 years ago when everyone had a home phone and address listed in the phone book. You just weren't exposed to as many people you might someday want to try and find. Now the net just makes it easier to piss off more people who then want to find you. And gives them more avenues by which to express themselves to you. (Or opens you to a wider range of creepers who want to peep your pictures, or whatever.)

cupcait927

Hmmm this makes me want to change my TK username now. My first and last name are VERY common but I googled my TK SN and realized how quickly someone could put together who I am. 

Couggal12

Luckily when I Google my username only TK shows up. Well, so does TB and TN because I lurk over there sometimes but, have never commented or posted anything.

theartistformerlyknownas

Schatzi13 said:

PDKH said:

@KnotPorscha, can I ask what preventative measures The Knot is exploring to ensure this doesn't happen again? Someone shouldn't have this happen simply because someone else went to lunch.

Suggestions on what TK can do (feel free to add or subtract):

- Bring back community mods so that someone is around and accessible at all times (or at least all reasonable times). If at least one mod is around, that person could intervene and say, "hey, calm your roll"; or s/he can remove posted personal information ASAP; or s/he can react when a thread has blown up. Of course KP can't be everywhere at once, and of course she takes lunches and goes home at night like a normal person. That's totally understandable, but someone needs to be there the rest of the time.

- Add or beef up text on the sign-up page to discourage users from creating usernames with their identifiable information, e.g., janesmith32 or susiedoe@yahoo.com.

- Add text to encourage users with TK websites to use the password protection feature.

I think the guestbook should have email authentication too... no posting without a valid email address. People's blogs have better comment security.

Maggie0829

lolo883 said:

Schatzi13 said:

PDKH said:

@KnotPorscha, can I ask what preventative measures The Knot is exploring to ensure this doesn't happen again? Someone shouldn't have this happen simply because someone else went to lunch.

Suggestions on what TK can do (feel free to add or subtract):

- Bring back community mods so that someone is around and accessible at all times (or at least all reasonable times). If at least one mod is around, that person could intervene and say, "hey, calm your roll"; or s/he can remove posted personal information ASAP; or s/he can react when a thread has blown up. Of course KP can't be everywhere at once, and of course she takes lunches and goes home at night like a normal person. That's totally understandable, but someone needs to be there the rest of the time.

- Add or beef up text on the sign-up page to discourage users from creating usernames with their identifiable information, e.g., janesmith32 or susiedoe@yahoo.com.

- Add text to encourage users with TK websites to use the password protection feature.

I think the guestbook should have email authentication too... no posting without a valid email address. People's blogs have better comment security.

Yup, and give the owner of the website the ability to review/approve comments before they are posted.

blabla89

Couggal12 said:

Luckily when I Google my username only TK shows up. Well, so does TB and TN because I lurk over there sometimes but, have never commented or posted anything.

I just did this and DEAR LORD, I am not the same lalalaurita on OkCupid. I'm a little embarassed now.

Also, totally agree that guestbook comments should be screened.

sarawifenow

I just feel really awful for the OP of that thread...hopefully she went to lunch and got KP's PM and didn't even have a chance to read those comments.

Cookie Pusher

Lucky for me Cookie Pusher is a fairly common username, and I am NONE of the results you find on Google. Even my real name (as uncommon as it sounds), brings up a handful of serious professionals with amazing credentials that are all within a couple of hours from me. And about a bazillion teenage girls in SE Asia. Guess it's more common than I thought!

ETA: Unless, of course, someone comes here specifically looking for me with nefarious intentions.

larrygaga

I have rsvp'd on two different wedding websites that were public as a joke. I feel like a total butthole. I guess I am a good example as to why wedding websites on TK should make passwords mandatory. Please do this!!!

That girl did not deserve what happened to her, at ALL. Posting on her guestbook was wayyyy out of line and really childish.

jenna8984

Sorry- it's refusing to keep my paragraphs. I just wanted to chime in. After the last 2 days with Sara's post and today's post, it has sufficiently creeped me out 1. how many people attempt to find your info online 2. how much personal info is available on a google search. There are many, many websites that list "public records" with your town, previous towns, address, age, relatives. I manually just spent the last two hours going to each one of these websites and "opting out". Some required me to create a free account before they would hide the info but that's fine. Here are a list of all the websites I found with public info on myself that I blocked in case you wish to do the same- ussearch.com intelius.com acxiom.com whitepages.com instantcheckmate.com peoplefinders.com peoplesmart.com mylife.com beenverified.com Scroll to the bottom and of their sites and either click on privacy policy, help, contact us and the opt out instructions are hidden in there.

jdluvr06

I googled my username and I was surprised at all the stuff that pops up. This is the only place I use this name but someone on twitter has it and some users on various message boards... And I thought I was being original. Lol.

photokitty

I would like to point out that I am not affiliated with any of the photokitty sites you get when googling :-p I chose the name 7 years ago bc my college nickname was tiger and I am a photographer. And I do not take boudoir photos - not of me, not of others.