I was wondering if anyone had articles or links to articles on PC security when someone uses their full name as their IM name, specifically yahoo IM.

I just started with a new company and to work from home they want employees to create a yahoo IM ID with their full name in it. (It is supposed to be preceded by specific alpha characters so you can use your full name.)

Now, maybe it’s just me but I’ve always had a problem with the idea of using my full name in a medium that could be viewed by others on the net/web. Before going to my new company and saying this makes me uncomfortable I wanted to find out more and have some ammo to back up my case...if you think this won’t be a problem and have articles on that I would also be interested.

I am googling right now but thought I would put this out there and see what comes up

Just for clarity if forced to do this anyway I will create a new yahoo account that isn’t attached to my existing one and put no real info on the account.

According to Microsoft's "10 steps for safer Instant Messaging" http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu.../imsafety.mspx

"Your screen name should not provide or allude to personal information."
like name or address.

Well if Microsoft says giving personal information is insecure.

Its settled then.

I use my full name in my email, it's displayed in my signature, and my Yahoo! messenger account is j_dorn3. I've never had a problem...

It's highly unlikely anyone could do much mischief with just your name. I've been using my first/last name as one of my email addresses for years with no problems.

You shouldn't be using a service such as Yahoo for company IM or e-mail. By doing so your opening your setting yoyrself up for a big liability because there is the potential to leak company or client information.

[You shouldn't be using a service such as Yahoo for company IM or e-mail. By doing so your opening your setting yoyrself up for a big liability because there is the potential to leak company or client information.]



Hey, it's not my idea it's my company and the reason for my post is I think it's a bad idea too. I just wanted more than my opinion before saying anything to them.

shotokan,

Thanks for the link my company is Windows happy so I'm sure it will mean more to them coming from a Microsoft site.

By the way I have been a victim of identity theft so I’m a bit gun shy.

I use my full name in my Gmail address as well as all of the major IM services. I've never had a problem. Besides, chances are your name is already floating around the Internet somewhere. Try Googling your name some time. It's quite interesting (and a little scary!).

Yahoo's TOS should be more than enough to convince them. They don't guarente any privacy so your basically allowing private company information to become public.

set up your own jabber server in your company's building. then it is very easy to connect and secure

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Actually, I’m happy to say that when I Googled myself recently only one result came back and it wasn’t for me. I guess it comes for being security minded, though I’m sure if I dug deep enough I would scare my self.

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I just wanted thank those who have provided links and to say keep em’ coming as next week I will be talking to my company on this issue.

Thanks for your help and input.

Stranghue.