You can do what I did. I gave my self a different user name for all my furry stuff so none of it is connected. I don't put my real name on any of my furry stuff either. That way when I google myself nothing comes up. So you could always just change your account!

The issue is that links from sites containing my real name (many of which have been gone for 4+ years) linked to pages with my furry identity. It frustrates me that my lack of care (and unwitting at that) renders repercussions today. This would be a simple fix if Google offered some way to discount the ghost of these links which leak personal information.

That many furs spend time hacking FA and exposing personal information only exacerbates my impatience with this problem - and the fandom.

I take very special care over my internet privacy to the point that my real name doesn't exist on the internet. Googleing my name gives no results.

If I ever feel that my security is compromised I do a complete identity change for the relevant websites. Furthermore I have over 20 aliases chosen such that no website has more then one of my identities present at once and there are no links whatsoever between names.

That means a lot to keep track of but I do value my privacy.

Good luck.

Mind you I do see difficulties in changing name because if you do so and wish to keep your old fanbase then you would have to provide a way for them to find you. If you do this then it voids your new identity by making it traceable through your old name to your real identity. Unfortunately I see no easy way out of this for you.

actually they do with the webmaster tools

You mean Google Webmaster Tools? They turned my application down as the original pages are already gone (despite that their search engine still refers to them). Basically, what you see on a Google search is months, if not years old.

I tried searching for your username on Google, I haven't found those links anymore, nor anything personally identifying you.

No no, my real name.

Well... check what I send to you on private messages. You can use it if it is just Google without problems, I believe.

the problem is the site does not exist, only its search result does.. not even the cache exists any more.

Oh, you mean the title only? Or does it expose more than this?

I believe you still can use what I shown you in private message against it, while sending it to Google.
It is even good the website no longer exist, no one will complain for you sending them this and they WILL HAVE to remove it from search results. win-win solution.
They are obligated to remove and they do not have to analyse it at all.

please don't close down your FA account. your art is really cool and it shouldn't be closed down because of it. please reconsider.

I know it's a shame but if you pay attention to his journal, it's obvious that he has given this enough thought.

yeah, I know

I really hope you can resolve this before you disappear. I'd hate to lose your work around here

I agree with Cat In DMinor said. Separate your online life from your real life, that is what I do

Aw...

Normally I wouldn't comment because there are bound to be tons of others who also don't want to you close shop, but I feel your art is unique enough that at least some objection must be formed. That said; I completely understand the reasons; maybe a rename, as Cat_In_DMinor mentioned, might suffice? I hope so, but imagine you'll still think otherwise. :(
Hope the best for you whatever the outcome :3

Keeping identities separated is possibly the best idea. Does this closure mean removing all the work here as well? Just want a heads up if I should save some of your works I like the most, Would be a shame to see it go.

nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! don't go! I luffs ur arts

(/fangirl)

I agree that a change of furry i.d. might be in order.

I suggest starting another FA account and moving all your artwork over to it.

I just did a couple of Google searches on my name and nothing furry turned up so far (whew). Just a bunch of entries for a music mailing list and a couple of Yahoo I subscribed to in the mid-late 90's where I used my real name as a signature (oops).

XKCD is always relevant. http://xkcd.com/137/

Even if you made a separate account, it isn't as if that stuff would not still exist on the net. Plus, if you keep drawing the way you draw, it's not hard to link that you are the guy who drew the old stuff. It's hard to keep your identity on such a vast network. Hope you work it out, but really, I would keep the friends and contacts you made from here on a more private area and close this public place down. From what I've seen, you just finished a very lucrative graduate program, and that should be more important than furry porn.

"THIS" SO MUCH

Glad this wasn't a flame, lol. I know I'm going to get some flak for telling someone to turn their back on the fandom and all, but this other future is so much more important than this stuff is all

The 'fandom' is nothing but a bunch of people who indulge in pornography and amateur art. The majority of people who pay attention to Foxer are people he doesn't know and will never meet. I don't really see them as being people to miss.

Of course from our perspective it will be very sad that he's gone but from his perspective I don't think it's too much to worry about. Besides, I think if he's in danger of having identities linked that would better remain apart where the consequences could damage his new career he should cut the link ASAP. Why sacrifice a career he worked so hard for just for some websites?

Exactly my thoughts

And nothing of value was lo- wait, oh shit! Not you, you're like my favorite furry artist! : (

Super weak, also, furry stalker sites? Care to expand on that?

I interpreted that as general /b/tards and people on the internet hell bent on ruining the lived of, typically popular, furry figures.

That's a shame. You have done superb artwork.

Don't ever leave me, cuz I will FIND you! HAhaha HAhaha! JK Or AM I? :3

Sadly, most things you do online are traceable and many things are held in logs and databases that last for years.

That's a shame. You're one of my favorite artists here. But if your safety really is at risk, I wouldn't want you to endanger yourself. It was nice knowing you! Hopefully you can resolve all of this.

This is pretty disappointing. I understand some people's need for secrecy, especially the younger community, but I also feel that once an adult, a person should make a choice about who they are. I imagine it must be quite a strain to keep two totally separate lives and identities.

Personally, most people in my life know both my real and furry names. Heck my mother has seen con photos and mardi gras photos of me wearing ears, tail and collar. :P

All I can say is it would be a shame to see you go.

Do what you've gotta do!

Though your art will be missed if you do decided to completely disappear. : (

bummer :<

wait stalker sites? do tell.

It's reasons like this that I get so damn mad about furries not keeping private stuff private... and doing stupid stuff in public that makes other people pay us attention.

That's... really kind of you

Tell me what you mean by that? Are you one of those furries that goes out in public and does some deviant behavior in the name of furry that makes the rest of us (people like Foxer) have to go into hiding? What the hell else did you want me to say?

It seemed like you were talking about Foxer in your comment (ie. being mad at him for not keeping his stuff in private)

For the record, i'm not even sure if the fandom would consider me a furry. I like the art but... that's about it. Hell, there's hardly a furry fandom in my country (Mexico)

I've met a surprising number of furries in/from Mexico, if you're saying there's no fandom.
Also, I don't know about these days, but back in the day you were a "furry" if you were simply a fan of anthro/funny animal art and/or cartoons and/or stories. You don't have to have a 'fursona' or any of the other stuff. I have no idea what this fandom is anymore.

Yes, there are many self proclaimed furries, but i wouldn't call it a fandom, considering there's very little organization. A friend had been planning to make a furmeet for a whole month, and many of them confirmed they were going to be there, but at the end of the day nobody showed up :/

I know what you mean. I consider myself a furry because i appreciate the art and like to meet people with similar interests, but many people have told me i'm not because i don't have a fursona, i don't roleplay, haven't gone to a con, make fun of the slang, etc.

It's reasons like this that I get so damn mad about people not keeping private stuff private... and doing stupid stuff in public that makes other people pay them attention

What's your point?

Idiocy is non-exclusive.

tis why i am a fur in name only. too much shit happing and it is only getting worse!

It sure is a sad thing to lose an artist, but i understand your situation and know that i'd do the same if that happened to me :T

That said, disinformation is an art that can protect one's identity more effectively than simply avoiding to give out your info.

Enlighten me as to how one would do that.

Instead of just hiding your real name, make up a fake name that you can remember and use it for all furry-related things.
IF you dare to share your birthday with the world, change it by a few days (maybe a whole year)
If you only have a German Shepherd as a pet, say you have a lab mix and a parrot (unless you take pics)
If you live in -for example- San Francisco, say you're from Oakland (a city you most likely know which has a very similar "feel")

Also, make it look like you still want to remain relatively anonymous

Ah, I though you meant something more. That's fine, I already do that stuff excessively and in spades. I have 20+ identities allegedly living all over the world.

haha, the most i've had was three at the same time, but then it became a bit too hard to keep up :S

4 browsers all with their own remembered scree names make it easy. I troll forums like that

Heh, I have 1 identity allegedly living all over the United States! I tell everybody different locations & change as much irrelevant info as possible. If somebody knows I do this, this also lowers confidence in any other personal info. AM I indeed an atheist bisexual son of two preachers, or is one just LIKE a preacher? Or maybe one of the preachers is a close relative?
This secret identity and my real identity are hard enough to keep up with. Then again, my public identity is also on furry sites, but the stuff I'd want to hide goes to this one(although I wonder now if I should redirect MORE stuff to this identity). I hope that if Foxer does create a new account, he'll take lots of tips on hiding his next identity better. Plenty just in these comments. His art style is pretty unique, though, so I wonder how well he can keep that separate. I do my best to draw in a different style from my public identity's style, but sometimes I can see my public style coming through. It helps to draw different species.

I think the only problem with making a new FA account is that you would want to tell everyone what your new account is and thus creating another loop hole that would allow people to access what you don't want them to. There would be a footprint to trace that way.

If you feel it's necessary to close your FA for personal safety and identity then I would say DO IT.

That's always a problem. It's very difficult to keep things quiet online these days.

I don't have a good solution for you. It seems the choice is either black or white - total secrecy (and limited interaction) or just being casual about it and dealing with any questions as they come up.

Do what you feel is best. Keeping your identity completely under wraps is a little bit difficult, however!

short of falling off the net COMPLETELY (like chris chan did), changing names and accounts wont help at all. People know you now, if you pop up under a different name it will render the whole thing pointless.

Also, making a fuss will let the trolls know that you're paranoid about it and they will exploit you.

Look at me; most of my real ID details are available on the net, it worries me a bit but there,s not much you can do. If you feel you are in danger, a real name change and shift of address would suffice.

The only reason I haven't done the same is because I'm in NZ and there ain't no one here to stalk me - you're all in america.

If you want my blunt opinion, why would someone want to harm you? You're not a furry like me which a great mass of other furries HATE with a passion. I don't think you have much to worry about, it's not like your a dog rapist or anything, why would someone spend the time trying to fuck with you?

Think about it carefully, cos a username change won't help at all other then draw attention to yourself thus defeating the purpose.

Good points, really. All of them. I've been surprised at how much information you've put out there, John. I've seen the name of where you work, and I've seen what you actually look like! I'd probably try to meet you if it didn't involve a plane ride from the U.S. to New Zealand, heh.

From what I've seen of Foxer, there doesn't seem to be anything to hide. He draws great art, and so what if some of it is mature? There's nothing really that weird in his gallery besides being furry stuff, and not everybody knows about the furry stigma. Some just see it for what it is: well-drawn naked pictures of cartoon foxes. I post art under my real name to build my reputation, and stuff I don't want attributed to my reputation goes to my Ittmi identity. Foxer's mature artwork doesn't show to guests anyway.

That said, Foxer also has a great career ahead of him that he worked really hard for, so yes, "Think about it carefully" is right. I don't expect this identity to cause him any problems, but if he knows of any issues I'm not aware of, the loss of watchers might be worth the gain. Like you, I'm also hoping he keeps this name. I know that if he gets a new account, I'll recognize his style right away, even if he draws different characters and in a different medium. Identifying an artist in my submissions list before looking at the name is a hobby of mine. I've been thrown off by others drawing Norbert before, though, heh.

indeed

Even though my real name is out there and people know it, I still can't be found by a perspective employer if they were to google me. David John Wright alone won't return anything unless you know what your looking for, which if it's someone like an employer, they wont. You have to add specific key words to see it. I'm safe.

Also, no one really cares! I mean, no one at my work ever gooled me or attempted to look at my furry shit even though they knew where to go! It turns out, no one cares. Even my boss.

I was careful about revealing my (now former) workplace. I never did name which company it was. I also don't name which suburb I live in; west auckland is pretty big.

Hmm, maybe I only THOUGHT you had named the place. I think you had mentioned exactly what type of place it was and a general location, and I figured I could look it up with very few possible matches.

i'm still pretty sure no one could guess, there are many different companies and even more branches of each company in the city.

but all that's irrelevant now as i resigned 2 months ago and am looking for a new job! SAFE

This is unfortunate, as you're one of my favorite artists, and not just because of your furry stuff. You have a really unique style and your futuristic visions and architecture have always filled me with awe and inspiration. I'll be sad to see you go, but I completely understand your need for privacy. As mansonsdragon said before me, your professional and personal life are much more important.

Whatever your decision, I wish you luck on your future endeavors. You have lots of talent, and I know you'll do well (but of course, you don't need me to tell you that!). Good luck, and Godspeed.

I have to wonder just what is the motivation behind these stalkers? Do they honestly think they're doing the fandom a favor by "outing" people who have their reasons for keeping their real life identities private? Do they do it just to get a rise out of the person they "out" to the world? Or are they doing it simply because they're bored and don't have anything better to do with their time?

No matter what the reason is, it makes me angry that the threat of this kind of exposure is enough to make good artists such as yourself pull stakes and abandon the furry fandom. People wonder why artists with any real distinct style and almost unnatural talent for what they do never want anything to do with anyone in this fandom again. It's crap like the stalker sites you hint at which do nothing more than ruin lives.

Whatever your ultimate decision is, Foxer, you need to know that you will be missed if you disappear. I hope you don't become a stranger...but I understand your reasons for doing so if that's the case.

If you cannot take pride in your art, ALL of your art, then I pity you.

If your professional field is really a place where the art and comments you have made here can have a negative effect on your standing, then I am glad that I am not an architect.

That said, regardless of what you decide, make sure that you decide it for the right reasons and be proud of your decision.
We will respect whatever path you choose, and furthermore we will stand by the decisions you make--whatever they may be.
I understand doubting this site's security ( They don't exactly have a strong track record), but don't make it sound like you are ashamed of your own works and opinions.
You should not be.

I know it might sound a bit Bohemian of me, but I've always been taught that pride is something that must be earned, and you have most definitely earned it.


I have not seen anything posted from you that was not intelligent, insightful, and/or artistic. I know my opinions are not what will determine your success in your field, but I do believe that they should still matter. And I also believe that it should be more than just other people's opinions which determines your success.

Regardless of what you choose, stand by it.

And good luck!

Aww but I love your coloring styles. I was hoping to learn from you! But it is your choice!

But it is your art and life.
Perhaps you can create a persona.?

I'm downloading your best art, just in case. I don't want to see you go, but if you have to, you have to.

Curiously, I was thinking about that very thing the other day. How easy it is to trace people online. Websites like FurAffinity should try to find a way to counter that. I'm pretty sure it's possible to, for instance, block your website info for outside searching services like Google. It's probably not too difficult either, but by the way FA's been handled lately I don't think we'll ever see anything like that.

I see your point and I very much agree, unfortunately. Whatever you choose, I hope it works out well for you. You're a brilliant person from what I can tell, and you deserve to feel 'safe' in those regards. You do know whatever has been posted will always be there for people to find though, right?

Multiple accounts are an option. Foxer and Hyde, so to speak. ;)

dude the stuff you post is nothing to worry about, there isn't anything embarassing you put up or anything
what's there to worry about in that department?

Sorry to hear about this. Hope you decide to stay though! I don't believe any fur should let trolls discourage them and win, even if they know and use RL information.

In my case, I wouldn't care if anyone got RL info about me, and linked it to my online pages. They could threaten me all they want too. I'm also not shy about being a fur, although I don't tell it to people in real life either. I'm very happy about what I am... and if people troll me about it, it just makes the feeling stronger :) Hope this is of any encouragement, and you decide to stay.

Do what you must fox.. I am glad I did meet you for a small sec. Best of luck.

I think it is pointless ditching this account in favour of another one. Your style stands out like The Empire State Building on the New York skyline; so I don't think it would make much difference whether you switched accounts or not. I think it would just inconvenience you and everybody who follows you.

Personally, I don't know what the right thing to do is in this situation. All I know is that I like your art and just in case, I've saved a handful of your pics that I liked. Good luck!

Here is my take on the situation, and I am typing on a virtual keyboard so please excuse any grammar errors. I think from this point any damage that can be done will be done. Your art is probably everywhere on the Internet by now, and if someone were to want to find a way to to trace you back to it, not having an FA account probably isn't going to help stop that, unless you find a way to completely erase your name from all search engines and such, which may be possible, but I have no idea you would go about doing that.

If you were to still want to delete your account, there are other options for how to stay connected and keep posting your art and whatnot. There is, like you said, making a new account. With that though you would need to be very anonymous about everything you do, and try to keep your new name completely apart from your real name or any of your current online names. Another option would be to delete everything but clean art on this account, and then offer your adult art in an art CD or online portfolio that you have to pay to download. I know I would certainly buy it.

Bear in mind that I am very biased in my thinking on this. I love your art, both clean and adult. It makes me incredibly happy and makes me feel all warm and fluffy inside, so I would absolutely hate to see you go, but ultimately you have to think of your future so the call is yours. Whatever you choose, you have my well wishes and my thanks for giving us all of the awesome art and such that you have over the years.

Long story short: Leave if you think it will be a problem for your career, but keep in mind that there are other options and you don't have to completely sever your ties with the fandom and furry art.

I'll definitely be sad to see you go. Your art is my favorite, it's such a unique style! You need to do what's best for you though, and don't let your furry side get in the way of your career ambitions. I recently had a mix of my furry life with work, and it was NOT my intention, so I understand completely.

What am I gonna do with no Foxer artz

Really sorry to hear about this. Your art is really amazing. =/

There are companies that specialize in auditing and changing your online footprint. Maybe you can seek advice from one of them.

Why has bo one asked other place to find you? and by you i mean Furry you.

That's a real shame, man. Maybe if you kept a low profile for a while, and "disappeared" for a bit, things would get better. You could emerge from the other side of this sabbatical with a new account, and perhaps different content or something...totally your call. And of course, it's best to keep your assorted lives/identities separate. I've been able to keep my multiple identities on the internet from colliding with each other, as well as with real life, and it has allowed me a relatively trouble free existence in these realms. I tend to think of them as different planets in a solar system; any collisions could be potentially catastrophic, and thus must be avoided at all costs.

Would be a great loss to see you go, but *shrugs* you gotta do what you gotta do to protect your identity and the privacy of the things you are involved with via online

I dont know when you will turn in the towel but, heres to your awesome run via FA

Do what ya gotta do if you think it's the best option - just make sure that if you do start another account under a different user handle that you notify us somehow beforehand.

Gah, I hope google de-caches the crap that's there. Your creating a new account if you get rid of this one right?

Just a suggestion, if anyone actually takes the time to search for me on google and finds my accounts, I plan on telling them that it's a completely different person, I got this idea when I realized that someone else actually is using Drift_91 on GMail and Youtube. Figure that might be an OK workaround for the time being for you.

Something I just remembered, it's scary what ends up on the internet without your control. Once I was looking up a certain artist on Google, can't remember what exactly I was looking for by them, but I came across the artist's freakin prison records from over 10 years ago. They had been posted to a blog shortly after it occurred then they sat there, open to the public, for 10 years! The person that posted them even mentioned their artist name so that people from furry sites could track it down.

Wow, hm, I would be sad if you decide to move on but your real life is important. If you decide to do this please keep us in mind when and/or if you decide to post something new. I love your art.

dude, if you are talking about what I think you are the owner said you can ask him to remove personal details

While It is your choice in the end, the moment you mold your life due to fear, is the day fear wins over you. For the rest of my opinion, the XKCD comic sums it up.

Might be futile. What's on the internet stays on the internet.

Once on the net, always on the net. It's unfortunate that data, once made public, is basically impossible to remove. But steps like closing this account may make it more difficult to find. I'd be sorry to see ya go, but totally understand.

Ah this is killing me, I don't have a 'favorite artist', but it's certainly a title you would be worthy of holding. I understand not wanting to potentially jeopardize a promising career, but if you should happen to pull the plug on your gallery, I really do hope you keep drawing once in a while if you still like to, and seeing how much effort and detail goes into your art just screams to me that you really love what you do. Eventually you could make an account with no links to you or this one and upload the new works you've made, and make use of comment hiding anytime someone references you. Maybe you might not make this second account for a few years and not until you're steadily working already. If Google has you already in it the damage may or may not already be done unfortunately. On the plus side the new Encyclopedia Dramatic doesn't appear to be as oriented towards dragging out people's RL information.

Also my roommate is probably going to have a heart attack when I tell him the sad news. :(

It must be done

how bout letting us know some of these sites where ppl are divulging such information? >_>

http://www.squidoo.com/personalInformation

I don't really think you can hide it, in today's society.

That said, it'd suck if you took your stuff down. You haven't posted in a long time but you've got some great art on here.

Aww we'll miss you if you go, you're a great artist!

you gotta do what you gotta do bud, that's how I roll too

So... are you just not going to post your furry art anymore? Or try to disguise your style, post to a different archive, and maybe lie if people ask about a connection? I'm not being nasty with that, I'm asking honestly.

I think your work is terrific, I really do. Of course it's your choice if you want to share it, but it's sad to know the reason why you may stop, or may hide it away where I might not ever locate it again.

You are a magical artist; if you decide to disappear, I will miss you and your art very much.

If you decide to remove your art from FA, please consider posting a Journal to that effect a week or so before you do so so that we can download your art to our private collections.

I really don't think that any of your art would cause professional problems, but, of course, that is for you to judge. I have my art posted all over my office and home - including XXX photomorphs - and no one, including my cowboy and rancher friends seems to mind. Their take on it is that it is cool that they know a surrealist artist. Note that photomorphs of oneself are a LOT more personal than drawings of various characters, yet they haven't caused me any problems.

UNSEARCHABLE LINKS: If you want to leave a link to a new username, remember that the contents of JPG art can not be searched effectively, particularly hand drawn letters. Of course, this does not eliminate the risk that a troll will re-post the information as searchable ASCII text. At least please consider sending PMs to those who you trust with a link to such a JPG with the request that the recipient immediately Trash the PM and then go to the PM Trash file and Delete it.

*hugs*

I'm going to hate to see you go. Not only are you an amazing artist, I enjoy the universe that you've created. It has roots in classic science-fiction while also incorporating new notions of sustainable living. Both aspects are missing from mainstream science fiction. Beyond that, you design amazing architecture and backgrounds that make your pictures visually "pop" that only adds to the personality of the focus character. I hope that wherever you decide to go (on the Internet) I will be able to find you (not in a stalker-ish kind of way XP) and continue to enjoy your art. Good luck in all your future endeavors.

Foxer,
I will also have to echo the sentiment that it would be a great loss to this community if you left. I for one would hate to see that happen. You have the ability, talent and a sense of fun that shows in the work you share with us. It is also your talent, skills and education that you have invested so much into. If these are in conflict and jeopardize your personal life and career, you have to do what is best for you. You obviosuly did not get to where you are be being impulsive and have given this great though.

All I would ask is that you allow us some sort of warning when this happens. Whatever you decide, it has been a pleasure and an honor to admire your work and share in a few comments with you. }:=)

Maybe all you need is a new nickname (via new account), a 20 character password (at least; random letters and numbers that NO ONE can guess), and less info posted about you in the new one, and see how that goes ^_^

Nah I wouldnt worry about it. If somebody has a problem with you drawing furries then thats THEIR problem, not yours.
Ive come across a lot of people here on FA who post REALLY fucked up shit... alongside photos of themselves, without any care of the internet doing what the internet does.
Trust me, you dont need to be afraid of it man; nobody of importance will care what you draw.

Please do not go! It would be a great loss to both me and the fandom as a whole :( I was worried about this myself last year. I was afraid someone would attempt to look up my name online and find my username and link it to my FA, but what I did was change my online identity in as many places as I could. I can still look up my name and find secondhand information leading to this account, but I seriously doubt any professional would go through the trouble of registering to FurAffinity to find out what kind of person you are, and if so, I don't think having a "fetish" or a risque "hobby" that does not serve as a detriment to your work would affect your career at all. I mean... you graduated from Harvard. All they'd have to do is check the dates on your work to prove that it didn't interfere with that.

*hugs* I understand your dilemma :( And whatever decision you make, I hope it is the right one. If you do leave, you will be missed dearly. You are one of my greatest and longest inspirations.

Furry haters and the people online you have referred to have been discredited, too -- I doubt a professional will listen to a 4chan member before a Harvard graduate.

You should get Behance account. I just got my invitation.

Before you go, could you repost that animated avatar of Kristofferson watching the train? That was cute.

As for Internet presence, I've been on it since 1995 and before. So it's pretty easy to find me!

Well, whatever you decide, I hope you will be around.

Aww I just started watching you :( Its sad to watch people leave FA. But I do understand but even if you leave it will still be there on the other sites.