Character name can't be hidden.

[Esvedium]

2. On my last online game I was followed by some guy who wanted to date me even after I changed servers. I used the same name for my Character on both games it fits me to a T.

You were (what sounds like) e-stalked in some game, changed servers, kept the same name, then made a character on a different game with THE SAME NAME again, and you're worried about being stalked? Why would you use the same character name if you are really worried about being e-stalked? Does not compute...

[Neonii]

You were (what sounds like) e-stalked in some game, changed servers, kept the same name, then made a character on a different game with THE SAME NAME again, and you're worried about being stalked? Why would you use the same character name if you are really worried about being e-stalked? Does not compute...

Blame the victim? I should not have to change the name. Anyway this is off topic.

[Greatguardian]

Blame the victim?

He's not blaming you for being stalked. Simply pointing out that you handled it extremely poorly and took absolutely no preventative measures to secure yourself after the initial stalking; and that you, frankly, have a lot more to worry about than the appearance of your character name on these forums given your aversion to any other form of personal internet security. If you're worried about stalking, and are seriously using the same name on every game and every server, fix that first and worry about where that cloned character name shows up later. Priorities =/

Edit: Have to? No. You shouldn't have to lock your home or car doors, or travel in pairs when you're walking through the slums at 2am wearing pearl necklaces and dangling jewelry either. Is it smart to, though? Damn straight.

[Neonii]

He's not blaming you for being stalked. Simply pointing out that you handled it extremely poorly and took absolutely no preventative measures to secure yourself after the initial stalking; and that you, frankly, have a lot more to worry about than the appearance of your character name on these forums given your aversion to any other form of personal internet security. If you're worried about stalking, and are seriously using the same name on every game and every server, fix that first and worry about where that cloned character name shows up later. Priorities =/

Edit: Have to? No. You shouldn't have to lock your home or car doors, or travel in pairs when you're walking through the slums at 2am wearing pearl necklaces and dangling jewelry either. Is it smart to, though? Damn straight.

That's a lot of assumptions. There is a difference between having a name on an isolated server and posting it online. I took precautions by using the mule on the web. I take the precaution of never listing my name on an online Guild Member list. Unless he is incredibly lucky there is no way that person knows i'm playing FF. Even then he would have to happen to choose the same server as me, happen to do a sea all while I was online ect. I have no quarrel with you GG in fact I have always appreciated your point of view in the post you have made. However, this post seems personal and states opinions as fact.

Edit: Just so everyone knows I like to keep the name in Memory of/Tribute to the very special person who helped me choose it.

[Greatguardian]

That's a lot of assumptions. There is a difference between having a name on an isolated server and posting it online. I took precautions by using the mule on the web. I take the precaution of never listing my name on an online Guild Member list. Unless he is incredibly lucky there is no way that person knows i'm playing FF. Even then he would have to happen to choose the same server as me, happen to do a sea all while I was online ect. I have no quarrel with you GG in fact I have always appreciated your point of view in the post you have made. However, this post seems personal and states opinions as fact.

Edit: Just so everyone knows I like to keep the name in Memory of/Tribute to the very special person who helped me choose it.

It's not my intention to make anything personal. I'm simply pointing out that there's a difference between blaming the victim and criticizing someone's handling of a situation.

While it's true that no one should be forced to change their name to conceal their identity from stalkers, the fact remains that it's generally a smart thing to do. Using the same name on multiple servers and games simply leaves you significantly more vulnerable than you would be if you had changed your name(s).

Posting your own name online is also not the only way for it to appear online. Unless you have absolutely no interaction with other players in-game, other people may not take your character name's privacy as seriously as you do. People may make threads about a linkshell, or an event gone awry, or any number of things that may mention your character name on forums and show up on a google search. Back when linkshell recruitment was a bigger deal, BG used to host cross-server background checks on linkshell applicants. The Gimp/wtf/confused player thread hosts hundreds of characters/character names without the owner's consent. Any FFXIAH or BG player warning may mention players without their consent/approval.

What ever preventative measures you did take, I can only infer based on what measures I know you did not take. You may have the most powerful anti-intrusion software on the planet installed on your computer, but that doesn't help at all if someone knows your username and/or password. No matter what advanced measures you take, if the very simple things like your username remain the same, people can still find you.

Relavent: http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php...&id=2237#comic

I understand your reluctance to change your username. But I think there's a fair point to be made that it's the first thing you should be changing if you're really serious about avoiding a stalker.

[Neonii]

It's not my intention to make anything personal. I'm simply pointing out that there's a difference between blaming the victim and criticizing someone's handling of a situation.

While it's true that no one should be forced to change their name to conceal their identity from stalkers, the fact remains that it's generally a smart thing to do. Using the same name on multiple servers and games simply leaves you significantly more vulnerable than you would be if you had changed your name(s).

Posting your own name online is also not the only way for it to appear online. Unless you have absolutely no interaction with other players in-game, other people may not take your character name's privacy as seriously as you do. People may make threads about a linkshell, or an event gone awry, or any number of things that may mention your character name on forums and show up on a google search. Back when linkshell recruitment was a bigger deal, BG used to host cross-server background checks on linkshell applicants. The Gimp/wtf/confused player thread hosts hundreds of characters/character names without the owner's consent. Any FFXIAH or BG player warning may mention players without their consent/approval.

What ever preventative measures you did take, I can only infer based on what measures I know you did not take. You may have the most powerful anti-intrusion software on the planet installed on your computer, but that doesn't help at all if someone knows your username and/or password. No matter what advanced measures you take, if the very simple things like your username remain the same, people can still find you.

Relavent: http://www.smbc-comics.com/index.php...&id=2237#comic

I understand your reluctance to change your username. But I think there's a fair point to be made that it's the first thing you should be changing if you're really serious about avoiding a stalker.

Fair enough.