Using the Web to spy

Like it or not, your life is on the Web. Much of your information has always been public. But the Internet has made access to that information much easier. If you post things on the Web, that, too, is probably available.

Yes, a simple search can reveal a lot about you. But you can also use the Web to learn about others. If you’re a business owner, you could check out possible hires. Learn a little about your blind dates before you meet them. Or you can simply keep track of your friends’ lives.

I’ll show you how to dig up information on people. It’s a useful skill. But the first person you should look up is yourself. This will show you how much of your information is out there. I’ll even show you how to make some of that information private.

The obvious place to start is Google. You can usually find sites containing information on specific people. You may even find a phone number. Several sites, including Google, store this information.

Your phone number or information can probably be found as well. You may be able to remove your number and information from these sites. But it isn’t always easy. The information could be on a number of sites. And some sites may just ignore your request to be removed.