Can "outsiders" Really See Us?

[Guest Danielle2]

OK, I have a question that I hope someone can answer for me.

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to ask this question in, but can people searching images on the web see our pictures that we post in the Gallery on this site? The reason I'm asking is that I was just on Google and I ran an image search for "little black dress" as I was looking to purchase a new one (discreetly). Anyway, the images popped up and a couple of the images were from this website. I guess I was under the impression that the photos we post here are secure and can't be seen by anyone unless they log in as a member. I clicked on one of the photos and it brought me directly into the forum. The picture that I clicked on in the google search was a picture that was posted by someone directly on the forum wall and not in the gallery. So, I tried it again and this time I ran an image search for "crossdresser" just to see what would happen. I received a bunch of pictures from multiple sites including this one.

I now know that the pictures posted here in the forums will pop up in an internet search, but I guess my question is: "Will the pictures in the gallery pop up as well or are they secure?" I guess I was under the impression that the gallery was secure from any internet search engines since we have to log in to enter the gallery. Is this true or not? I love sharing my pictures with those of us in our community here at Laura's, but I really don't want them to be accessible to any outsiders. I just can't take the chance of ever being recognized by anyone who is naive enough or doesn't understand what it means to be a crossdresser, no matter how remote the chances may be. I love being Danielle and I really enjoy sharing with all of you on this site. However, my family and my work are more important to me than Danielle is right now and I just don't want to take the chance as I do have several pictures posted in the gallery. One of my reasons for being a member here is that I feel very safe in sharing and discussing the part of my life as Danielle with others. As of right now, I feel as if that safety is being threatened.

If a moderator, an administrator, or anyone else for that matter can answer this question for me, I would greatly appreciate it. It would definitely put my mind at ease, no matter what the answer is.

Thanks again,

Danielle

[MaryEllen]

Gallery pictures and profiles are not available to guests or members who are not signed in. Pictures posted in the general forums are available to any and all. Most of the pictures will not be seen at first glance but there is be a clickable link that will open the picture. Blogs are available to guests so be careful what you put there. Try this experiment. Look the forums over without signing in. You can easily see what is available and what is not.

MaryEllen

[Guest April63]

Images in the gallery could appear in search engine results, but I don't think that it's that likely. You do need to be logged in to view the profiles and gallery, but it's still possible for the images to leak out. I don't think it has happened though.

[Guest ChloëC]

That's what I sort of guessed, which is why my pictures, even though my facial features aren't very distinct (both luckily and intentionally) are only in the Gallery.

I just Yahoo'd (I don't Google because my son works for Yahoo) my Gallery Album name, and absolutely nothing came up, and my Gallery Album name has been there long enough for all those busy little bots to have found it. So I feel pretty good. Not 100% because there are always possible problems when one shares a secret, but good enough with Laura's until proven different.

Thank you, MaryEllen, for clarifying that. People should take whatever precautions they feel are necessary for their own unique cases.

(and another 10 years, and I won't give a dang!!!)

Chloë

[Guest Danielle2]

Thank you so much to all of you! Not only for the very detailed information, but also for responding so quickly!!! You have definitely put my mind at ease. This is exactly why I enjoy this site so very much!

I guess I don't have to delete my album after all............YEAH!!!!

Love ya'

Danielle

[Guest julia_d]

Indeed.. I don't care because I'm out and confident. People should take whatever precautions they feel suit their particular circumstances. One thing is don't tag pics with your real name, that way people trying to find you by real name can't (unless like me you don't care and use your real name online anyway)

Eventually we pass a point where we don't give 2 hoots who knows who and what we are. at least in our new lives.

This is me.. and I don't care who sees it.. http://www.friendsreunited.co.uk/PaulaAllen .. nothing to hide. Too long spent hiding in the shadows after a career in the public eye as a rather famous musician. (can pretty much guarantee you have seen me on TV.. seriously.. the joys of being a 1 hit wonder.. but I won't publicly link me now to me then)

The important rule to remember is this.. IF you don't want outing then don't post it.

ppw.. keeping it real XD