VN Boards Archive

[VN Boards Archive]

Welcome to the Vault Network forum archive.

This is not a complete archive, time didn't allot us the opportunity to properly backup the majority of the boards deemed "expendable". Most boards on this list have at least 20-40 pages archived (non-logged in pages, 15 topics per page).

Popular boards may have as many as 250 pages archived at 50 topics per page, while others deemed of historical signifigance may be archived in their entirety.

We may not agree with how the board shutdown was managed, but we've done what we could to preserve some of its history in lieu of that.

Please enjoy the archive.
~ Managers, Moderators, VIP's, and regular posters.

Author

Topic: Personal Information Security rant

Hawkson Title: I AM AN ASSASSIN (SHH) Posts: 30,565 Registered: Oct 23, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 30,208 User ID: 478,685	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	I just had an issue this week with a company based in Seattle, who stripped my personal information(home address and number) from the State Bar of California website, and posted it on their own website, for anyone who happens to know my name to see. After doing research, they've done this to EVERY attorney in California, and in many other states. Creating profiles, which they refuse to delete, about the attorneys - with the addresses, phone numbers and email addresses(if they did not remove them from their state bar website.) There are many attorneys nationwide, who work from home - and are forced to have an address and phone number of record, on file, with their state bar - that the public can access - via the state bar website. This company pulled all of this information, to make a profit. They created a "ratings" system, where individuals, colleagues, or other attorneys can go put in ratings or recommendations that impact this basically arbitrary number. But the worst part is - they will not remove your profile. After several emails, and a phone call - I finally got them to remove my address and phone number. But they refuse to delete the profile. Additionally, their profile for me exists in such a way that if anyone ever wanted to, they could go ahead and post my number and address in this profile. This forces me to go out next week, and pay for a P.O. Box - out of my own pocket, so that I can post that information to the State Bar's website - to protect my address. My phone number I can't protect, because you have to have one listed. And fortunately, the State Bar just recently made it so that you do not have to have an email address listed for the public. What happened to information security? What happened to privacy? /rant off -----signature----- Hawkson, Esq. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
	Link to this post
SeligSwiftblades Posts: 2,366 Registered: Jan 7, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 2,324 User ID: 597,205	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Sue them? -----signature----- (none)
	Link to this post
aon_mixed Title: Pirate Kitty Posts: 97,492 Registered: Aug 19, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 96,153 User ID: 707,392	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	what happened to lawyers serving the public? -----signature----- may contain partial nudity
	Link to this post
Fozzie_Bear Posts: 48,479 Registered: Dec 20, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 47,515 User ID: 558,887	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	thats pretty crappy Hawkson. -----signature----- The Oatmeal Butterscotch paired with a Snickerdoodle turned my cynical penis into a happy vagina Then after an Oatmeal Cranberry and Double Chocolate, it made my new vagina spontaneously sing the Trolololo Song in an elevator. ---AkagiyamaMissile
	Link to this post
Hawkson Title: I AM AN ASSASSIN (SHH) Posts: 30,565 Registered: Oct 23, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 30,208 User ID: 478,685	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	aon_mixed posted: what happened to lawyers serving the public? Attorneys do serve the public, but that does not mean that we are not entitled to the same level of privacy that everyone is. -----signature----- Hawkson, Esq. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
	Link to this post
Kanga_Roo Posts: 27,681 Registered: Feb 26, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 27,388 User ID: 650,647	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Attorneys are well liked in the community. I'm sure people will rally to support you. -----signature----- Laws control the lesser man... Right conduct controls the greater one. Mark Twain
	Link to this post
Hawkson Title: I AM AN ASSASSIN (SHH) Posts: 30,565 Registered: Oct 23, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 30,208 User ID: 478,685	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	It is not about supporting me. This was to vent a bit, and to remind people about the importance of personal information security, and privacy. I know people dislike attorneys, this is not news. -----signature----- Hawkson, Esq. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
	Link to this post
Fozzie_Bear Posts: 48,479 Registered: Dec 20, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 47,515 User ID: 558,887	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Hawkson posted: It is not about supporting me. This was to vent a bit, and to remind people about the importance of personal information security, and privacy. I know people dislike attorneys, this is not news. just don't end up like the guy face down on the ground in your icon -----signature----- The Oatmeal Butterscotch paired with a Snickerdoodle turned my cynical penis into a happy vagina Then after an Oatmeal Cranberry and Double Chocolate, it made my new vagina spontaneously sing the Trolololo Song in an elevator. ---AkagiyamaMissile
	Link to this post
AliHajiSheik Posts: 3,162 Registered: Jan 5, '03 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 3,145 User ID: 755,560	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Seems like your primary beef should be with the CA Bar website and at minimum their terms and conditions. -----signature----- yawn
	Link to this post
NonOffensiveName Title: Touching people in special places all day long Posts: 27,882 Registered: Oct 7, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 27,531 User ID: 444,059	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	ok this is not a troll or anything Im legit asking.... If your info is already accessible to the public via the state bar website, why is it such a big hairy deal that they put the same public information up on a different website? If someone wanted to do you harm and wanted to find out your personal info, I think the state bar website would be their first go to website instead of some random ratings website. Why arent you ranting/raving mad that the state bar has published your personal info too? So in other words your info wasnt secure in the first place and they just came along and happened to take advantage of it. :P I dont really see it as the company's fault. -----signature----- Q: What's an AW? A: A whore that likes attention
	Link to this post
Hawkson Title: I AM AN ASSASSIN (SHH) Posts: 30,565 Registered: Oct 23, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 30,208 User ID: 478,685	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Unfortunately, it'd be the state legislature - and their requirements for the state bar, and membership. As for the Bar, I've complained to them - and while you don't need a log in to access the info, it requires searching, there is no overall listing. -----signature----- Hawkson, Esq. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
	Link to this post
NonOffensiveName Title: Touching people in special places all day long Posts: 27,882 Registered: Oct 7, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 27,531 User ID: 444,059	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Hawkson posted: Unfortunately, it'd be the state legislature - and their requirements for the state bar, and membership. As for the Bar, I've complained to them - and while you don't need a log in to access the info, it requires searching, there is no overall listing. err wouldnt you have to actually first FIND that specific ratings website that happens to have your info posted on it and THEN do a search for you specifically on that website? I just think you're overreacting a bit..or at the very least like someone has said the object of your beef is very misplaced. Or either youre more pissed about them "making a profit" off of your info than them actually taking your personal info. That is understandable too but alittle off the mark when you're talking about personal information security. -----signature----- Q: What's an AW? A: A whore that likes attention
	Link to this post
Hawkson Title: I AM AN ASSASSIN (SHH) Posts: 30,565 Registered: Oct 23, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 30,208 User ID: 478,685	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	Prior to yesterday, if one were to search my name - the first result is this website purported to rate doctors and lawyers. They've been in existence for several years, and provide what they believe is a service to the public, offering ratings, and make money by selling advertising to doctors and attorneys. In this first result, one could find my home address and phone number. Did I know that they were posted on the Bar's website? Absolutely, but to find it there - you have to search, pick the right one of the few people that share my first and last name, and dig for it. Do I like this? Absolutely not, but there is a layer of protection for it, in that it requires some foreknowledge, and a search - one actually has to know about the listings on the bar's website. Along comes this company, Avvo, trolling through the various state bar websites - stealing this information wholesale, in an attempt to make a profit from it. They hold your information hostage by creating, without your permission, a profile that cannot be deleted, and can only be edited if you "claim," it, or call in and bitch at them about having your home address/phone number listed. They flat out refuse to delete a profile that they created, with my information, for their profit. So, it's a multi-front irritation. The state bar, and the state legislature, I have no control over - but at least there are some steps that they have taken, requiring an information search, before my data is visible. This other company, it's just there - for the whole world to see. And as I said, if someone is irritated by me - for whatever reason - they can go here and post it all over again. -----signature----- Hawkson, Esq. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
	Link to this post
NonOffensiveName Title: Touching people in special places all day long Posts: 27,882 Registered: Oct 7, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 27,531 User ID: 444,059	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	meh I still think its all six of one, half dozen of another your personal information is out there for all to have access to, albeit because you are forced to have it there. Its not like you have attorney client priv with the state and Avvo is "someone" listening in(clients have no reasonable expectations of privacy if there is a third party present in most cases in most states) Or its not like they're hacking into the state's website or breaking into their offices for the info or something Yeah it sucks but not much you can do about it. I wouldnt let it bother me. I guess you could think of it like you are a celebrity. They have little expectation of privacy since most celebrities are considered public figures. : P You're a star baby! -----signature----- Q: What's an AW? A: A whore that likes attention
	Link to this post
Steelwind_Oo Title: Lurking Oo Posts: 32,879 Registered: Sep 30, '00 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 31,007 User ID: 46,829	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	It is one of the downsides of being self employed. I'm self employed and even with a PO Box my address and other info can be found all over because it is required for some filings. As for complaining about needing a PO Box... you're serious? You work from home and don't understand the need for a PO Box? Even if it only sits and collects junk mail 99% of the time, like mine does, I wouldn't be without it as a business owner. -----signature----- 'God is an imaginary friend for grownups.', Walter Crewes (Morgan Freeman), The Big Bounce Don't be afraid to ask dumb questions they're easier to handle than dumb mistakes! Xbox 360 Gamer Tag: SteelwindOo e93% a53% s33% k13%
	Link to this post
PlieBrac Title: Ok, who did this? Posts: 6,634 Registered: Oct 30, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 6,582 User ID: 732,961	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	aon_mixed posted: what happened to lawyers serving the public? lol you mean public defenders? those aren't lawyers... -----signature----- "Dr. Happy Harry Cox, reminding you that, everything you know is wrong" Hey idiot, if you pull your pants up it wont look like you $hit them, and you wont have to walk like you have a broom shoved up yer ass!
	Link to this post
Hawkson Title: I AM AN ASSASSIN (SHH) Posts: 30,565 Registered: Oct 23, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 30,208 User ID: 478,685	Subject: Personal Information Security rant
	NonOffensiveName posted: Or its not like they're hacking into the state's website or breaking into their offices for the info or something But unfortunately, they're doing it without permission. The State Bar of CA, along with other states do not permit outside companies to peruse their member lists, and take that information. Steelwind_0o posted: You work from home and don't understand the need for a PO Box? Even if it only sits and collects junk mail 99% of the time, like mine does, I wouldn't be without it as a business owner. I never had a need of one before this, I'm not really working with any clients write now, in fact, most of the business I do(at the moment) has nothing to do with the law. And the business I am doing now is with people I know personally(and have known for years), I do not advertise my business. So, no - it wasn't a real issue before this concern. PlieBrac posted: lol you mean public defenders? those aren't lawyers... Tongue in cheek I know, but they do their best to do good work - albeit they're very overburdened. -----signature----- Hawkson, Esq. Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
	Link to this post