Personal Information in Clan Chats

You've probably already seen Merch Gwyar's post about inappropriateness of disclosing personal information in Canting Away clan chat. If not, take a look, before you read further. It is an important topic and, as usual, Merch stated her position perfectly.

What's my view on it? As related to Canting Away, Merch is absolutely right in demanding that personal information would not be disclosed there. She has all the rights to set safety standards for the clan she runs. And non-disclosure of personal information is not an unreasonable requirement.

But talking broadly, I personally don't believe that we can hide our real identities in internet. One have to try really really hard in order to do so. And it's going to be harder and harder as time goes on. Unless something changes drastically in the way internet works, our real lives will get so tied to our online identities, that we won't be making a clear distinction anymore. And I don't think it is bad. It is just the way it is. Instead of trying to shut the world out, I believe that we all need to learn how to live in an open, with our lives exposed.

We need to teach our children and ourselves how to be prudent when making new friends using internet and especially when making transition from online to RL contacts. We need to be aware about identity theft menace and learn how to keep important internet accounts safe and secure. We need to know about computer security and follow required procedures and precautions required by it.

But we cannot simply build walls. In a long run, it won't work.

Jagex prevents a school shooting

Interesting topic I just found on MechScape World forum about Jagex reporting school shooting threats made inside the game and on Runescape forum to the US authorities thus preventing several incidents. The topic talks about two such cases, I would guess, there could be more. In any case, it is good that Jagex takes this kind of stuff seriously. Who knows, how real those threats were, but with all probability Jagex saved some kids lives right there.

How to improve your account security

This is the topic which can't be overemphasized. Please read these recommendations and follow them if you haven't already done so. Note also that these recommendations work not only for Runescape, they are applicable to the general security of your computer, accounts, email, etc.
If you are not an owner of the machine and there are vulnerabilities, talk to the owner (parent, friend, sibling?) and suggest to fix these vulnerabilities. Play safe.

Runescape Security

Security and Safety

2007

Aug 19. Be careful with Runescape hackers
Aug 24. Runescape Gold for Real Money?
Sep 18. Most Common Runescape Scams
Sep 20. Accountability
Oct 15. Play Safe
Nov 2. How to improve your account security
Nov 17. Why Make-X options?

2008

Jan 10. Runescape Luring is DEAD
Mar 2. Why Moparscape servers are popular?
Apr 5. Jagex is suing the Demonik owner.
May 6. Latest Runescape Update. Don't Download.
May 17. Progress By Jagex On Sex-Related Issues In Runescape
Jun 29. Complain against Jagex. Whoa!
Aug 2. Runescape going under 13 and Parental Controls Dashboard
Oct 21. Real Theft of Virtual Goods in Runescape?
Nov 2. Jagex monitoring player's mental health?
Nov 18. Being offensive...

2009

Jan 4. Jagex prevents a school shooting
Jun 30. China Bans Gold Farming
Aug 20. Jagex's Official Position regarding Merchanting Clans
Aug 22. Is it legal to use Runescape screenshots and videos?
Aug 31. Don't get addicted to Runescape
Nov 1. How to reduce lagging on Runescape F2P worlds
Nov 26. Jagex assists in arrest of a Runescape Hacker

2010

Feb 15. Jagex sues Runescape Botters
May 7. Runescape Espionage
Jul 27. Personal Information in Clan Chats
Aug 19. Runescape Bug Abuse is still on?

2011

Feb 12. RS Botters are Hacked
Feb 13. Flower Game
Feb 20. Beware. New scams in Runescape
Mar 12. Apple 0123 or is it Apple O123 after all?
Apr 5. I ain't dead