Opt-out Tuesday: How to remove yourself from PeopleByName
Like it or not, your information is all over the internet. Government records reveal private information, including your full legal name and arrest records. On top of that, security breaches leak highly critical data, like your address and Social Security number.
It’s easy for hackers, stalkers and strangers to find your private information. They can head to free sites that compile public information into easily accessible databases. At the Komando HQ, we refer to these as “people search sites.”
These creepy websites collect your data and compile it into disturbingly detailed profiles that anyone can see. That’s why removing your information from people search sites is vital. In this week’s Opt-Out Tuesday, you’ll learn how to trim details away from a particularly thorny people search site.
It’s worth the time investment
Shady characters of all flavors love people search sites. But scammers and hackers are especially huge fans. Websites like People By Name, BeenVerified and Intelius scrape through the internet to gather your publically available information.
In other words, be careful about what you put on social media. It could be used against you. If you want to scrub your social media presence, this free and easy tool lets you clean up multiple accounts.
Who can forget about data brokers? They also love people search websites since the databases do the heavy lifting of packaging your information. For context, data brokers are behind targeted advertising on social media or Google Ads.
People By Name is especially concerning
Don’t browse through this site because it’s pretty shady. There are links on the site that you shouldn’t click. If you do, you might be taken to a site that tries to get you to buy something. (Yep, it’s one of those sites.)
To make matters worse, finding the right page to opt out is challenging. Our content queen, Allie, spent a few minutes searching for it. Along the way, she kept running into annoying links sending her to new websites.
Luckily, we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. To remove your private information, head to the Information Removal page:
The one word you should never say to a telemarketer or scam caller
You might get dozens of spam calls weekly, but you might not know where the companies got your number. Thousands of data brokers peddle information, and it could be the source of your annoyance. That’s why we started our Opt-Out Tuesday series with instructions on removing data from sites like FreePhoneTracer. Tap or click here for details.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Social Catfish
It’s a fact that Big Tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits. It doesn’t end there, however. Other companies sell your information to anyone interested.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from RocketReach
Companies are collecting data on you whenever you use the internet. This information is used to target you with ads or is sold to third parties. Either way, it’s terrible news.
People search sites use public records to get information on you, which is available for anyone who wants to see it. Hackers, scammers, and jealous exes all are welcome when it comes to your data. Tap or click here for our growing list of invasive people search sites and what you can do about them.
One tool to keep your online activity PRIVATE and opt out of intrusive cookies
It’s a given that people are watching your online activity. Various entities collect your data when you’re on a phone, tablet or PC. Aside from hackers and scammers seeking to steal personal and financial information, companies learn about you and use this data to hit you with targeted ads. Even worse, they can sell this data to others.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from USA People Search
While tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits, other companies sell it to whoever is interested. Whether those interested parties are trying to scam you or serve you with ads, privacy is not something you can take for granted.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Apollo.io
While tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits, other companies sell your personal information to whoever is interested. This can include scammers, hackers, con artists and crazy exes.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Spokeo
People search sites post your personal information online. While they advertise their services as being ideal for locating long-lost friends and family, the truth is that a hacker or scammer can just as easily access the data.
Amazon wants you to scan your palm to pay - Would you do it?
Have you set up Apple Pay or Google Pay on your phone? It’s a fast and easy way to make purchases without having to touch a keypad or reach for your wallet. And once you set it up, you can use it online and in your apps. Tap or click here to use your phone to pay for everything.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from peekyou
Companies are collecting data on you if you use the internet. This information targets you with ads or is sold to third parties.
Getting hit with an ad that relates to something you were searching for is creepy, but sometimes they get it wrong. This can be damaging to your mental health. For example, if you’re a recovering alcoholic, you don’t need to see ads for local bars. Tap or click here to opt out of advertising for any topic on Google-based platforms such as Gmail, YouTube and Instagram.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Private Eye
People search sites collect and sell every detail they can get their digital hands on: Your name, address, past and present phone numbers, birthday, education and employment histories, property records, financial details, police records and more.
Don't want to get any more ads for weight loss or dating? Here's how to opt out
As you search the internet for products or services, companies like Google and Facebook build up a profile of your habits. They use this information to serve you ads that the company thinks will interest you.
While it might be accurate for the most part, there could be some topics that you would rather not see advertised. For example, a vegan or vegetarian wouldn’t want to see ads about meat.
John Oliver busts data brokers, spurs Congress to action
Data brokers know if you have cancer, diabetes or a baby on the way. You might think that’s illegal under HIPAA — but as John Oliver revealed in his show “Last Week Tonight,” many data brokers reveal highly sensitive medical information. To urge Congress to limit data collection, he essentially blackmailed lawmakers with private data he legally obtained.
Chrome users, make this change now to limit ad tracking
It seems you can’t escape being tracked. Whether it’s a social media platform, an app or one of your smart devices, there’s a good chance a bunch of companies knows way too much about you.
Wordle is a daily word game that has taken the world by storm, and all you need to play is a smartphone and network connection. While Wordle is free to play, you may be paying with something else besides money — your privacy. Tap or click here for tips on avoiding avoid ad trackers in Wordle.
Use Verizon? There's a new data tracking program gathering your info
Your privacy is at risk as long as you have a connection to the internet and online accounts. Though your actions have a big impact on how much others can find out about you, there are some things beyond your control.
A new rule lets debt collectors message you on social media - Here's what they can and can't do
Social media connects us to others — but not all those connections are good. Sometimes you’ll come across people you’d rather not see or, even worse, an old friend trying to lure you into a pyramid scheme.
Curiosity is natural when you get a new friend request, but be careful. It could be a jealous former lover, an acquaintance trying to pull one over on you, or even a scam. How do you spot these malicious friend requests? It’s not always easy. Tap or click here for some tips on making better decisions on social media.
Your ISP sees everything you do online - Here's how to stop it
We all know that Google, Amazon and Facebook are tracking us, but have you really thought about your ISP? That’s short for “internet service provider.” Depending on where you live, you may have a few to choose from — or maybe there’s only one.
Have a Ring camera? How to opt out of Amazon's shared wireless network
Creating a collective to make something work better seems like a good idea on paper. But not everybody will be thrilled to make use of it — especially if there are some security and privacy concerns. A good example of this is Amazon’s Sidewalk that works with Ring.
Delete your personal information from this scary site now
Important note: Be careful where you click. Depending on the browser you use and which device you use, you may see slightly different things than what we’ve posted in the screenshots below. Both of these websites charge fees for you to access more records, but not to have yourself removed from these sites. Do not pay to have yourself removed from these sites. The opt-out service is free.
Change this privacy setting in Google to share less of your data
You have tons of options when it comes to email services. It can be tough to narrow down which one works best for you — especially since they all offer different features.
Gmail has been the go-to for many thanks to an easy-to-navigate interface and simple chat feature. But while Gmail may be one of the top email choices, Google is notorious for collecting tons of user data. This massive tech company tracks almost everything users do, search for or use.