If you live in the U.S., Google has a service that might interest you.  Or, on the other hand, it might annoy you.

Type your or any phone number into the search bar and hit enter.  You will get the person’s name and address.  Then click on the “Map” link, and you will be taken to Google Maps or MapQuest. 

There you will find a map of the person’s house and surrounding area.  In other words, Google is now a big reverse phone book, complete with directions to the owner’s phone.

If you have kids, this is bad news.  Your child just has to let drop his or her phone number, and someone can quickly find where he lives.

The good news is, you can stop Google from spilling the beans on you.  In the search results, click on your phone number.  Click on the link to request removal.

If you have an unlisted number or cellphone, these may not be listed.  At the moment, it appears only American numbers are listed in Google.

Syd Tash is a noted computer security consultant and author of How to Protect Your Computer Online.  He has been keeping Internet surfers safe and secure since the last century.  Find out how he does it; protect your own computer with five layers of protection right here:  => http://mypcsecuritysite.com/

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