Week Three - Topic 2b: Should we always use our last name?

Should we always use our full name?

I don’t think that we should always use our full name. Although it can be suggested that withholding one’s identity is ethically wrong, there can also be negative implications with being too open and honest.
One main issue with providing your full name is identity fraud. If you give out too much information about yourself, including your full name you may become a victim to being impersonated, which can vary from smaller scale issues like a person posing as you on a web forum for example, to bigger problems involving money, crime and bank detail / credit card fraud.
So many people, myself included, use their full names on social networking site profiles like facebook without thinking about the possible consequences. It is harmless providing you don’t give out any other details but problems can arise as some peoples profiles include their email address, employers, education, phone number and address.
I’m fully aware that pretending to be someone else, or withholding your identity in some situations, can be ethically wrong but there’s also nothing immoral about trying to protect your self.
A suitable medium is easy to find; being yourself but being careful with your details. I have seen that some people like to use their first name and initial (e.g. ‘Becky S’) which is probably the best ideas as your friends know who you are, but unknown people won’t.