Just How Private and Safe am I at JWTalk?

[JWTalk]

The software's security is top notch, and the software is current and security fixes and upgrades are released from time to time.
 

It is important to note that JWTalk, in general, is a publicly visible forum. This means that unregistered guests/visitors can read much of the content on this site without being logged in as a member. However, we do have some members only forums, but it bears noting that on the internet, nothing is truly private, so please exercise caution on how much personal information you choose to share here, just like you ought to on any other discussion forum, message board, or social network.

 

Communication between members is limited to the public forums or to the built-in private message system. We have intentionally blocked everybody's email address from being visible to other members. This means that nobody can contact you outside of the JWTalk Forums, and nobody knows where at on the earth you are located, unless you choose to make such information public via your profile or available to another user via a PM (private message). If you do enter a specific location in your profile, understand that it will be displayed publicly on your posts under your avatar.

While we have employed a number of safety measures, there can never be a 100% guarantee that everything will go as we all wish it to be. The Faithful and Discreet Slave has alerted us to the dangers in articles such as these that follow...
 

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*** km 7/07 p. 3 Question Box ***
What are the dangers of using the Internet to associate with someone we do not know?

A number of Web sites have been designed for people to meet and correspond over the Internet. Many of these sites allow individuals to create and post their own profile, which may include pictures and other personal information. People who view the profile can then make contact. Such Web sites are very popular among young people, and some youths in the congregation have used them to interact with others who claim to be Jehovah's Witnesses.

It is easy for a person whom we meet over the Internet to be deceptive about his identity, his spirituality, or his motives. (Ps. 26:4) An individual claiming to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses may actually be an unbeliever, a disfellowshipped person, or even an active apostate. (Gal. 2:4) Reportedly, many pedophiles use such Web sites to find their victims.

Even if we are convinced that those with whom we are corresponding are in good standing in the congregation, conversations in such a setting can easily drift toward unwholesome material. This is because people tend to be less inhibited with individuals they have not met personally. They may also view online communication as private and feel that whatever they say will not come to the attention of others, such as their parents or the elders. Sadly, a number of youths from Christian households have been ensnared and have become involved in obscene speech. (Eph. 5:3,4; Col. 3:8) Others have included sexually provocative pictures of themselves, suggestive nicknames, or links to sexually explicit music videos in their computer profile.

In view of the foregoing, parents should monitor their children's activity on the computer. (Prov. 29:15) It would be dangerous to invite a stranger into our home or to allow him to be alone with our children. Similarly, it is dangerous for us or our children to make friends with strangers over the Internet, even if they claim to be Jehovah's Witnesses. - Prov. 22:3.

While we would hope that such things mentioned in the quote above would never find their way here, the Faithful and Discreet Slave is correct in saying that the danger does exist. It is possible, albeit difficult, for unsavory individuals do get past our registration hurdles. New registrants are monitored closely but it may take a while before they are weeded out. You're choosing to participate here indicates you understand and accept this risk. 

 

 

 

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*** km 11/99 pp. 3-5 pars. 10-18 Use of the Internet - Be Alert to the Dangers! ***

10 Web Sites of Jehovah's Witnesses: Consider, for example, some Internet sites set up by individuals who claim to be Jehovah's Witnesses. They invite you to visit their sites to read experiences posted by others who claim to be Witnesses. You are encouraged to share your thoughts and views about the Society's literature. Some give recommendations about presentations that could be used in the field ministry. These sites offer chat rooms for individuals to connect to, allowing live communication with others, similar to talking on the telephone. They often point you to other sites where you can have on-line association with Jehovah's Witnesses around the world. But can you tell for certain that these contacts have not been planted by apostates?

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14 Jehovah wants you to exercise discernment. Why? Because he knows that it will safeguard you from various dangers. Proverbs 2:10-19 opens by saying: When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you. Safeguard you from what? From such things as the bad way, those leaving upright paths, and people who are immoral and devious in their general course.

15 When we go to the Kingdom Hall, there is no question that we are with our brothers. We know them. No one requires authentication of this because the brotherly love manifested makes it obvious. We are not personally required to provide credentials to prove that we truly are one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is here that we find the true interchange of encouragement that Paul spoke about at Hebrews 10:24, 25. Web sites that encourage on-line association cannot be depended on to provide this. Having in mind the words of Psalm 26:4, 5 can alert us to dangers that could easily be encountered when using Web sites on the Internet.

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36 It is imperative that we stay close to our brothers in the congregation and use the remaining time wisely, thus making ourselves available for the advancing of Kingdom interests. As this system nears its finish, let us no longer go on walking just as the nations also walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, but let us go on perceiving what the will of Jehovah is. Eph. 4:17; 5:17.

So, in summary, every precaution imaginable is being taken to ensure the safety of everybody who chooses to participate here. However, everything has its risks, and its pros and cons. It is hoped that participation here at JWTalk will always be a positive, upbuilding experience. More importantly though is that we as individuals remain close to Jehovah, solid in the faith, at the center of our local congregations, and regularly active in the field ministry - James 4:8; 1 Peter 5:9; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:58