Joel Goldstein

How To: Stay Safe Online

Joel Goldstein — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:30:21 +0000

Have you recently discovered the fun of Facebook? Connecting with old friends, hearing news from businesses and groups that you are interested in, or just keeping in touch with your kids. The Internet is the greatest tool developed in this century, it has revolutionized the way we communicate, do business, and get stalked. Online stalking has become a serious issue, here are a few ways to make yourself invisible to obsessive strangers — without putting a crimp in your social life.

.

Know Your True Friends

The constant updates and pictures that are put online through social networks are like hanging a welcome sign to anyone who wants to browse through a glimpse in your life. You are revealing a lot of information about yourself that you may not have imagined would be of interest to someone who does not know you… but you are wrong. You may have thousands of friends on a

social network, but you should only allow a chosen few to view the day-to-day happenings of your life. Fortunately, most websites have privacy settings, which are easy to set up.

.

To create a barrier to prevent against prying eyes on Facebook, type www.Facebook.com/privacy into the address bar and choose what information you would like to share with the public and what information you would like to keep only to your friends. There are similar account settings on both LinkedIn and Twitter. On Twitter specifically if you are a frequent user it is recommended that you update your settings on the account page to “Protect My Updates”. This will allow only your “Followers” to be allowed to read your Twitter feed.

.

Every event in the everyday Facebook user’s live is now shared with friends and coworkers. Through life’s course there are highs and lows, marriage and divorce. Parry Aftab, an Internet privacy and security lawyer recommends temporarily “defriending” mutual friends after a breakup. There is a good chance that mutual friends share information about you with your ex or at least makes comments about your status in passing. It is best to break that connection online at least until the drama has died down.

.

Don’t Pinpoint Yourself

It’s tempting to publicly share your location when you are doing something exciting such as “Flying to Hawaii” or “Going to Miami for the weekend!” however, you are actually telling any perspective criminals “Hey, I’m not at home!” It doesn’t matter how excited you are about going to the Caribbean on a 2 week cruise, post the pictures when you get back… tell people about it online after the fact. There is too much at stake.

.

Sitting at home alone? Google Yourself!

It may sound egotistical, however by searching for you name online you can find out who’s talking about you in a forum or group, posting blog comments about you, or potentially posing as you! Set up a Google Alert that will notify you anytime someone enters your name or phone number online. This will keep you alert to your online presence and hopefully prevent any misunderstandings.

.

Research and Be Safe.

Craigslist is an amazing website connecting people from all walks of life to get a job, sell an item, or hire a contractor. The simplicity of using a service like this can make it easy to be comfortable and forget the #1 rule of safety first. To be safe using these online forums, use an e-mail that doesn’t give away your full name when responding to an advertisement.

.

Take precautions when meeting someone in real life for the first time, even if it is for buying their Ipod or checking out their car. Some quick ways to evaluate a person before meeting them is a quick search through Google.

.

Conduct 3 separate searches:

1. E-Mail

2. Phone Number

3. Full Name

.

This will at least give you some security about who you are going to meet. If you are still unsure you can turn to the many online agencies who conduct background checks, combing through security databases on your behalf. Always be accompanied by a friend if you are going to meet someone you are unfamiliar with, and let others know where you will be going.

.

Unleash yourself!

.

Technology has provided us a world at our fingertips, it’s amazing the applications we have created for the smartphones. Those phones enabled with GPS can triangulate your position and tell friends if you are nearby… As a precaution you should keep these programs turned off unless you are actively using them.

.

The world is amazing and unpredictable. Do not stray from the modern advances in technology; embrace them! Keep yourself safe by being precautious. It doesn’t take much time and you will have a invaluable reward for your actions: Piece of mind.

.

Written by: Joel Goldstein

http://JoelGoldstein.com

http://PeerMarketingGroup.com

Creating a uniform online branding strategy The first step is to come up with a...
Social Security Number – Identity Theft Easy Posting your birthday on Facebook could help identity thieves...
42 Top Social Media Tips and Tools Over the last six months or so I’ve come...

Melaka Day 50 – Exploring with Monica and Becca, Maylasian house party

Joel Goldstein — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:01:50 +0000

Rebecca and I left because Steve the hostel owner decided to close the hostel and fumigate. We went to a few other hostels in the area and met up with another solo traveler Rachel.
We all decided to travel together to Chinatown to get a new place to stay.
Upon suggestion from our previous hostel owner, we decided to stay in a rather new hostel and we all got a dorm together.
After setting out bags down we went for a walk around Chinatown and got some lunch at a local food stand. It was rice with noodles and tofu, I got chicken and gave my extra tofu to Rebecca.
We checked out a few stores and left the area, Rebecca decided she didn’t want to play on the pirate ship so she headed to explore on her own, and Rachel and I set off.
We walked along the river passing the ship and going all the way to the ocean. Having a great talk, we walked along the coast trying to find a way to get out to the beach.
We gave up after seeing how far it is and agreed to try the next day, then got slurpees!
We walked to the big ship that was converted into a museum and played around in there for a while, I climbed up on the ropes ½ way to the top… Rachel tried to figure out how to use my camera.
We came back to the room, changed and showered, got my laptop and went to the café. There we ran into Rebecca who informed us we were invited to the prime minister of Melaka’s party that evening.
We stayed in the café all afternoon playing games and fooling around until they served us dinner for free, which wasn’t very good.
We got changed and boarded a bus to a party we didn’t know where or why we were going.
Soon we found out it was a party for the opening of a traditional Malaysian house that was going to be used as a museum. We waited for a while and the prime minister arrived. After a few speeches in some language I don’t know I noticed that all the government officials were all not listening and playing on their phones.
I was explained that it is not rude, it’s accepted.
After some boring speeches and a strange Malaysian guy putting his arm around me, we had some traditional Malaysian food, and took pictures.
I was interviewed by the Malaysian Television News about my experience so far.
We headed back to the hostel where Rebecca ran into her old roommate and her friend. We hung out with them for a while and took some photos by a leaning church.
We said our goodnights and went to the dorm to sleep.

Melaka Day 49 – Exploring Chinatown and Spa Day I get up and packed. I left the hostel...
Kuala Lumpur Day 48 – Exploring the Museums I woke up and headed to the train station...
Patong Day 43 – Beach Party Woke up around 1pm and went for lunch I...

Melaka Day 49 – Exploring Chinatown and Spa Day

Joel Goldstein — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:18 +0000

I get up and packed.
I left the hostel with all my bags and went to a local food stand where I got some Malaysian coffee to start the day.
I went to the usual bus station, however they didn’t have buses to Melaka. So with bad directions I walked across Chinatown to where the previous person said the station was, but was wrong… So I had to walk more and finally got there.
The bus was a converted city bus with a smell and steel floors, considering that I was expecting this quality the whole trip and for the first time had my expectations, met I was happily content.
The bus stop was very cool where you had to enter on the second story, buy a ticket and go down the stairs to individual bus terminals for departure, like an airport almost, except no random searches of anyone with a beard.
I arrived at a big shopping bizarre when the bus stopped and took a taxi to my hostel.
I arrived at the hostel early and met the owner named Steve. There were 2 girls from Holland and a guy that were having coffee in the kitchen and I joined them.
Elizabeth arrived and introduced herself. After the other people left Elizabeth and I went next door to the big hotel and went to their spa. I went into the hot tub and she used the sauna.
We went back to the hostel for a bit before heading out on the town.
We went to Chinatown for dinner and found a little place
I got up on a stage that was constructed in the middle of the street and began telling corny jokes…. Nobody else laughed, comedy in Asia is not my calling.
After we were done with dinner we played around in a Chinese food store and explored a house that was being constructed.
We walked along the river and took pictures next to a tilted church; unfortunately her camera ran out of batteries.
We headed down the river to a shop and got some ice cream for our walk back.
We hung out up in the loft and watched Jumper until our 3^rd person who was staying there joined us. Rebecca, Elizabeth and I went to go to bed and check the bed for bugs because some girls were bit the night before.
I found ticks in my bed and so did the girls, I decided to sleep upstairs in the loft and they got another bedroom.
Elizabeth ended up being bit from the other bed and I just got some mosquito bites.

Melaka Day 50 – Exploring with Monica and Becca, Maylasian house party Rebecca and I left because Steve the hostel owner...
Krabi Day 44 – Exploring and the Night Market I got into the cramped bus at 7:30 and...
Kuala Lumpur Day 48 – Exploring the Museums I woke up and headed to the train station...

Kuala Lumpur Day 48 – Exploring the Museums

Joel Goldstein — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:52:30 +0000

I woke up and headed to the train station to go to a travel agency
I got to the main terminal, and after walking from one side to another I was told that they do not sell tickets to Singapore there.
I walked to the National Museum from the terminal and toured the areas with a bunch of Muslim kids.
The only thing I found interesting was the weaponry, other than that it was mostly just old stones.
I got lost…
After the Museum I walked up a hill to the planetarium where I walked from there to the Hibiscus Gardens.
Where I got in for free because there was nobody at the front gate, however it wasn’t worth the visit never less paying for it. It was like going into the great house in “Great Expectations” overgrown and you can tell it used to be beautiful.
I went to the Bird Sanctuary after the garden and because the fee was so much I at e at the restaurant and was able to see everything from there for free.
I got a chicken burger and they put a fried egg on it… They love eggs here.
After the Sanctuary I walked to the butterfly garden and toured their area for a while until it started raining.
But I met some nice girls from Russia who got stuck with me in the terminal and told me that they were very interested in finding an American and getting married, I told them about my uncle… haha.
I took a taxi back to the hostel and played around on the computer for a while before going to get some food.
I ate from street vendors and watched some TV with people in the hostel before going to bed.

Kuala Lumpur Day 47 – Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower and Times Square Mall I got up and went out with the girls...
Melaka Day 50 – Exploring with Monica and Becca, Maylasian house party Rebecca and I left because Steve the hostel owner...
Phuket Day 39 – Traveling across Thailand A day of traveling ahead of me, I got...

Kuala Lumpur Day 47 – Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower and Times Square Mall

Joel Goldstein — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:51:16 +0000

I got up and went out with the girls for breakfast.
Christy got some spicy rice and chicken and I got coffee. We stopped at a small bakery on the way back to the hotel and I picked up a delicious roll.
Anna Beth left us to wander alone… which was fine by me. Christy and I came up with a new nickname for me (Lightning Bubbles) and she walked with me to the subway station before leaving for Bali.
I took the subway to downtown and went to check out the Petronas Towers.
After that I walked up a mountain to see the Kuala Lumpur tower that wanted a lot of money for a ride up. So I just walked around it and walked down.
I got lost and found myself in little India. I made my way over to a mall some backpacker on the street told me about that had a roller coaster in it.
I got to the mall and it was huge, I walked inside to find a whole theme park in there. I walked up to the counter and saw that it was $12 for what I thought was 1 ride. After purchasing a pass I soon learned that it was for the entire theme park for the day!
I rode the roller coaster 5 times and then went to the Imax on the 10^th floor to see the movie 2012 for $4.
After the movie I went back to the theme park and did all the rides once almost getting smashed by all the kids in the bumper cars.
I left there taking a taxi back to Little China where I was staying and found my Japanese friend that I met in Vietnam staying here. We hung out and caught up until she started feeling sick… So I head for the door.
I went to the night market by the hotel where I picked up some gifts including a cool burberry knockoff wool blanket for myself for $8.
I tried a lot of different foods and headed back to the hostel where I played online until going to bed.

Kuala Lumpur Day 48 – Exploring the Museums I woke up and headed to the train station...
Maylasia Day 46 – Traveling Travelin’ I got up at 6:30 I was picked...
Koh Tao Day 38 – Traveling to Champorn Got up very early to make sure I can...

Maylasia Day 46 – Traveling

Joel Goldstein — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:48:08 +0000

Travelin’ I got up at 6:30
I was picked up in a little van and sat in the back with a nice guy from Canada.
On the long ride I take out my laptop and write this blog update…
I met a nice girl that spoke like she was from England but grew up in Spain on the van
We talked for a while and got to our stop in Penang where I walked around a mall and picked up a snack for the ride from a bakery.
We got onto the bus around 7pm and headed for Kuala Lumpur
We got onto a amazing VIP bus where I was able to nab the front seat and had a huge windshield as my window. The seats were the most comfortable I have sat in yet, with a foot-rest they felt like a lay-z-boy.
We got in to Kuala Lumpur around 12:00 and got a Taxi to the hotel.
I was with the 2 girls from the bus and there was only one room available for the night so we all shared.
I got to bed around 4am.

Kuala Lumpur Day 47 – Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur Tower and Times Square Mall I got up and went out with the girls...
Koh Tao Day 38 – Traveling to Champorn Got up very early to make sure I can...
Thailand Day 33 – Traveling Got up in Laos for the last time, paid...

Krabi Day 45 – Snorkling the 4 Islands

Joel Goldstein — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:44:30 +0000

I awoke early… 2am early because I don’t have windows I have to take out the laptop to make sure it’s not 2pm. Couldn’t really go to sleep after that.
Went downstairs and waited for the truck to take me to the boat.
When I got on the boat I met the models that I partied with the night before in Patong on the beach.
We all talked about our trips while we went on the winding roads to the beach.
I got on the long boat and had a great ride to the first island where we got out to snorkel… It was terrible except for the fact that I bought a loaf of bread the night before at 7-11 to feed the fish.
I went back to get more bread from my bag only to find it ripped open. I immediately assume a bird did it until I see a trail of crumbs to a tree. When I look in the tree I see a few monkeys dining on my wonder bread.
I go take a video of it only to get chased away by a 2 lb baby primate
We get on the boat and head to an Island called Chicken Head Island.
The diving there was great, except for the jellyfish. I spent the first 10 minutes trying to teach 2 stupid aussie girls I was sitting next to how to snorkel.
We took a short trip to the next island in the chain and had crappy lunch.
I walked along the sand bar and looked for cool shells
We then went to another island where there was a great cliff and cave system, after checking that out I got a fruit shake and got some sun on the roof of the boat.
We headed back to the beach and headed back.
I had dinner at the hotel and went to the night market
I tried a whole bunch of different foods including fried chickpeas and a sweet thai bun
I walked around after the guy with a DIY corn dog maker made me a double dipped one that was freakishly huge trying to be nice.
I got some food for the trip the next day at 7-11 and went to the room.

Kata Islands Day 41 – Finding Nemo I got up early so I could get a...
Krabi Day 44 – Exploring and the Night Market I got into the cramped bus at 7:30 and...
Patong Day 43 – Beach Party Woke up around 1pm and went for lunch I...

Krabi Day 44 – Exploring and the Night Market

Joel Goldstein — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:40:33 +0000

I got into the cramped bus at 7:30 and left for Krabi
Got switched midway and sat in the back between two fat sweaty guys for an hour.
I rocked out to 2pac
We got into town early around 10 and I headed to the hotel.
I got a room for 120 baht a night about 4 bucks
I set my things down booked a snorkeling trip for the next day for $10 american dollars and left
I walked around the river and saw some cool wildlife on the shores I took video of.
Came back to the hotel and played around online resting for a bit.
I walked the opposite way of earlier into the real town where they haven’t seen too many white people before.
I went to an area by the river where they were selling food from stalls and had a great cashew pancake and fruit shake.
I walked to the night market passing by the fruit market
The night market was fun, there was a band of kids singing and playing instruments on stage that was really good and the food was excellent.
I walked back to the hotel where I chatted with friends online and went to bed.

Krabi Day 45 – Snorkling the 4 Islands I awoke early… 2am early because I don’t have...
Melaka Day 49 – Exploring Chinatown and Spa Day I get up and packed. I left the hostel...
Saigon Day 15 – Exploring the city, Knock-off marketplace, Nightlife Got up nice and early around 7:30am Had breakfast...

Patong Day 43 – Beach Party

Joel Goldstein — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:38:28 +0000

Woke up around 1pm and went for lunch
I finished my Harvard paper… Finally!
Discovered a cool new lady Gaga song, that I listened to at least 10 times.
Downloaded Julie and Julia the movie
Went back to the hotel to rest up for the night and watch a movie.
Headed to the beach with the guys to check out a famous DJ and then got some dinner at my favorite Wifi café.
I went to meet the guys at a bar across the street around 9 and we headed to the beach.
Got some red bull shots at 7-11 and picked up some gum for the night
We were at the craziest party ever, the beach was packed full of young people pulsating to the beat when some drunk brits ruined it by fighting.
They were doing a fire rope jump and a few kids got burnt
The rain started and quickly turned torrential, I was prepared and had my bathing suit on.
We went to a bar after that where I lost in a game of hammer a nail into a tree trunk with a tiny hammer to a bar girl.
We hit a sleezy bar after that and finished our drinks quick then got out.
We got free entry into the club’s VIP that was throwing the beach bash so we headed there.
I danced for a while but wasn’t feeling it, so we headed to a different bar.
Felt the same there and I called it an early night.
I had to catch the bus at 7am so I went to bed early at 3 and got a few hours of sleep.

Patong Day 42 – Party in Patong Got up and had breakfast at the hostel Got...
Phuket / Patong Beach Day 40 – To the beach… and Beyond! Stayed in the hostel until the afternoon chatting online....
Koh Tao Day 36 – Exploring and Relaxing Spent some time in the morning at my new...

Patong Day 42 – Party in Patong

Joel Goldstein — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:04:26 +0000

Got up and had breakfast at the hostel
Got on the shuttle to the beach with all my gear
An Italian guy sat next to me on the shuttle and totally unprompted telling me all about the mafia in Italy and how the Italians aren’t going to take it… He talked without me saying a word for 20-25 minutes. When I got off the bus people came up to me and asked what did I say to get him to talk so much!
I walked around with a guy I met after getting off the shuttle Raj and another girl to look for a hostel.
Raj and I found a backpackers place and set our things down.
I went out to use the internet and work on my paper when I met a Brit that was staying at the same place as us named Paul.
Paul and I walked to the beach and talked about how he just came from climbing Everest to base camp.
We got lunch and he showed me his pics from the trip.
I went to a coffee place with free wifi only to discover after ordering that their wifi is broken.
Came back to the hotel and watched a movie resting up for the night
I went for dinner to subway and got it to go.
I walked the beach and found a really nice view from a bench to watch the sunset.
After the sunset I went to the hotel to get showered and ready for the night.
Raj, Paul and I went out because it was pouring rain across the street to a bar with a pool table.
They clobbered me in pool and we hit the next bar.
The next bar was a Irish pub and we got hassled by people selling trinkets all night there.
We went to a go-go bar afterwards and were swarmed by women right after sitting down. After ordering our drinks the girls started bringing games to play, so we played connect 4 and some dice game with them.
Having to pull Paul away a few times, because he can’t say no we went to a dance club called VIP.
The guys refused to ask girls to dance but after persuading we all hit the floor and danced for an hour or so there.
We went with a group of girls to the next club where it was packed with Thai women and very few men. After hours of dancing and fun we decided to leave, Raj and Paul both had girls and went back to the room. I got a chicken hotdog and walked the town for an hour before heading back to the hotel.

Patong Day 43 – Beach Party Woke up around 1pm and went for lunch I...
Phuket / Patong Beach Day 40 – To the beach… and Beyond! Stayed in the hostel until the afternoon chatting online....
Krabi Day 44 – Exploring and the Night Market I got into the cramped bus at 7:30 and...