For your safety and security

[Realfoodieclub]

Just a little reminder to all our new members.

Your safety is very important to all of us that work within this forum and we want you to enjoy your experience while here and feel safe

We can guide you on dos and don’ts that keep you safe but ultimately it is up to yourself to make sure you only share information that you are comfortable with complete strangers knowing

You have some anonymity in the fact you can have a user name that has no links at all with you as a person but all that anonymity is useless if you then post a run somewhere online Garmin, strava, or the like that shows where your front door is.

If you don’t want all that information in the public domain please check your privacy settings of the apps you use.

If we see anything we are worried about on this forum we would always message you to ask if you wanted to share that much and usually we delete any posts that have email addresses in them

We are so lucky to have this wonderful safe place to share our journeys and nothing has happened to change that. We just wanted to remind you to always look after yourselves online. Happy running

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Well said RFC. I'm paranoid about security which is why I don't post my runs on Garmin Connect or Strava. Why would I share that with people I don't know and haven't met? Having said that, I wouldn't want to share that info with some people I do know and have met 😏

[Irish-John Graduate]

Dunno how I missed this when it was posted - but saying the same here in response as I did over on the Marathon Forum because I do think it is really important.

"It is sometimes chilling to see how much information is sometimes put on here and on other sites.

I can guarantee you that with some of the screen shots of 'mapmyrun' and similar Apps posted by Runners I would have no problem figuring out where they live to within four houses, where they run regularly and the likely times they would be on the route...all with just the start and end flags, the times etc.

Simply plugging in the names of surrounding streets, parks etc into Google Maps and so forth, and there you have it. It does not take James Bond and 'Q' technology these days. Your Forum name is not enough if you wish to guard your privacy in those circumstances so - and especially the Ladies (yes, I'm a sexist Neanderthal but such is life) - please do be careful.

Thank you Admins for pointing this out - and members, please help spread the word...."

Member benwill came up with a good solution to safeguard personal information for those who do like posting their runs - "Well said. I would say that there are security solutions in most running programs where it doesn't show the last .5k so you cant pinpoint your home. If anyone needs help in setting anything up or has any issues then do ask."

[Hidden]

I work in a security sensitive job and I suppose caution is in my DNA. I have worked with some very dangerous people. Sometimes on here, people are so lovely, it’s easy to let your guard down. But I agree, let’s be careful out there (Hill Street Blues theme tune)

[icklegui Graduate]

the whole Strava thing seems very relevant now - Strava data have, due to the lax privacy settings of users, revealed the location of secret US army bases, whoops

- but for those who are not in the military or other secrecy-important jobs, it's still an issue: qz.com/1042852/using-a-fitn... - this is aimed at women, who tend to attract more harassment, but the gist of it applies to everyone and it only takes one person to decide to mug someone for their expensive Garmin etc., or to rob their home, having noted where they run...

I realise if we worried about everything we'd never step out our doors, but still! Good to know what one is sharing with both the public and the companies.

[Hidden in reply to icklegui]

You are so right. We just need to keep this in mind

[Irish-John Graduate]

A little bit of reasonable caution goes a heck of a long way, "Risk Reduction" is a continuum - can be taken to extremes sure enough - but some things are so easy to adjust but really make a huge difference...sucks that the world isn't better