Jun 18, 2008 5:51 pm US/Pacific
Find Out Who's Googling You
BOSTON (CBS) ―
It's something most of us have done. Curious about a neighbor, a co-worker, or even a first date, we've launched an Internet search on that person. Well, that can go both ways, meaning that someone has probably "Googled" you too. Searches like that happen an estimated 50 million times a day.
Now, a Boston-based Web site,
Ziggs.com, is trying to help people better control their web persona. Ziggs is a professional networking site, sort of a Facebook or MySpace for adults. The goal is to create an outlet for information, but without embarrassing pictures.
Chris Selland, of Soundbite Communications in Bedford, signed up for the service. One of the features of Ziggs is that the users will get e-mail alerts every time someone uses a search engine and plugs in their name.
Although Selland won't be able to find out the name of the searcher, he will be able to ascertain from where the search originated. In fact, he can even get the exact address.
Tim DeMello, the creator of Ziggs, said that this information can help a person find out if a job search is getting any nibbles. He said people might also be surprised to find out searches are launched when "your daughter is trying to get into nursery school."
DeMello added that people are also unaware that a concierge might Google them before they go on a business trip.
Ziggs can also help a person control their online reputation, and not only because they create the content. Ziggs technology allows for their profile to come out on the top of any Internet search, which means it is probably the information that is most likely to be read.
Selland posted his resume, company e-mail, and cell phone on his profile. He hopes it will be a useful business tool. Security experts, however, say subscribers to these types of sites should be cautious about just how much information they put out there.
Guilherme Roschke said, "With my resume, someone can easily pretend to be me. They can start to tell people details of my past employment experiences, convincingly, and act like they are me for identity theft purposes."
When asked if he was worried about his privacy, Selland replied, "The nice thing about Ziggs is that it gives you control about how you present it, and what you present. I mean my home address is not anywhere online, and that's on purpose."
The basic Ziggs service is free, and that includes the e-mail alerts and guaranteeing that your Ziggs profile comes up on top of any search. However, they offer additional services which do include additional fees.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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