Understand where you show up

Search yourselfIt is a good idea to search your name on Google and check out your profile as others see it on social networking sites. Understand where you show up and what information is available about you, and then adjust your profile, settings and habits appropriately. Dont worry, its not vain if you only search your own name once a month or so. If you unexpectedly see your name in locations you dont frequent, it could give you a heads up someone else is using your identity online. Set up a Google alert with your name, which emails you when Google finds your name on sites. While some names, like John Smith, are so common they would generate lots of false positives, you may still find out a lot about where your information is appearing online. Even if you find there are others online with the same name, it can help you avoid confusion, (or maybe its an opportunity to reach out and connect to someone with the same namesake).