My favourite web-spy tools
In the digital age, the ability to gain (or hide) information has become fairly important. Being able to mask one's identity or dig up background dirt on someone is not only useful, it's entertaining!
We've all heard the term 'Facebook stalking', but there are plenty of other ways the net can help you with your information needs.
People are now starting to wake up to the realities of social networking - sometimes you are putting a lot of information out there, and quite often you are not even aware of how much.
It's important to know what tools can be used in this virtual war, so that you can better equip yourself.
So, here are my ten favourite net-tools for the information enthusiast:
1. The 'Whois' domain name look-up - Simply enter the URL of the site you are looking for information on and it can tell you their web provider, location, contact details and a whole bunch of interesting information.
2. Google's cache search - Go to Google and type cache:(enter URL here) and if you are quick enough, you can see a the old version of a webpage someone has recently modified, even if the current version looks different.
3. Send anonymous email - works as described. You can enter a recipient's address and then specify the address you want it to say it came from. Deceptive, Very deceptive indeed. However, if you're tricky and suspicious you could trace the email using...
4. Email tracer - It is possible to trace to location where an email was sent from using this tool, simply find the 'header' of the email and paste it in. Doesn't always work as planned, but worth a shot - there are probably more of it's kind out there.
5. Addictomatic - Especially good for researching prominent figures or those with a significant web presence, the service searches many sources of information and presents it all on a single page.
6. Computer code translator - 54 68 69 73 20 74 6f 6f 6c 20 63 61 6e 20 62 65 20 75 73 65 64 20 74 6f 20 65 6e 63 6f 64 65 20 73 65 63 72 65 74 20 6d 65 73 73 61 67 65 73 20 77 68 69 63 68 20 79 6f 75 20 77 61 6e 74 20 74 6f 20 6f 62 73 63 75 72 65 2e 20 43 6f 6d 70 75 74 65 72 2d 73 61 76 76 79 20 75 73 65 72 73 20 77 69 6c 6c 20 71 75 69 63 6b 6c 79 20 66 69 67 75 72 65 20 6f 75 74 20 79 6f 75 72 20 63 6f 64 65 2c 20 74 68 6f 75 67 68 2e.
7. Surfing Incognito - This web tool allows the user to browse a website with no record of them ever being there. Useful in places where your internet access might be restricted. I think it also hides your IP address.
8. Spokeo - This website uses your email contacts to search and cross reference almost every social media site for updates, and displays them for you. The trial is free but, of course, stalking of this magnitude comes with a price.
9. The New Zealand Companies Office - Find out who the directors are behind a company and their contacts etc.
10. The spy tools directory - Contains details of all manner of gadgets, software and hardware used to procure information in covert way.
How much of a net-stalker are you? What do you think of this selection? How valuable is privacy to you on the internet? What steps do you take to ensure this?
Join Connector on Facebook. Email Luke at connectornz@gmail.com
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Best place to get info on someone is their rubbish bin or bags.
"I do use it for promotion and in that regard Im almost anti-privacy because I want as large an audience as possible to get exposure to my product and website."
Paul, I would never buy your product from your website if you don't give me your address(business atleast) and your full name and phone number and bank account no. to pay you for it? Just about enough info to get me a credit card in your name in some countries
Anyone that uses there real name on the web needs their head examined, especially on any of the sites where privacy isn't guaranteed - like Facenook.
It's 100% safe to use a 'pseudonym' for social networking, and then tell your friends what 'nickname' your using - protecting your privacy is that easy. Facenook try and thwart the practice, but who are they to decide 'Sam Sams' isn't a real person? lol
@Justice#2
Firstly, yuk, secondly - you'd have a hard time going through someones rubbish on a property with a guard dog. Even harder if they've shredded their documents. Shredders only cost a few bucks so most households have them these days. Only a fool would want their bank statements flying around the streets intact, so shredding or having inaccessible garbage are common sense methods of protecting ones privacy.
Coys -- Easier and faster search over NZ Companies Office is here: http://www.coys.co.nz/
CarJam -- for free vehicles history, facts and cheks search
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I'm of two minds about privacy. My name and facebook profile aren't going to do anyone any good. I don't post credit card details, employment information or anything damning on social networking pages. It's not a privacy issue - its a commonsense one.
I do use it for promotion and in that regard Im almost anti-privacy because I want as large an audience as possible to get exposure to my product and website.