The really useful part of 'Are You Faking It' that there is guidance on the creation of pseudonyms. Specifically guidance on what NOT to do as well as what to do. Interesting result of poorly done database shuffling. The article starts by explaining some actual negatives of poorly executed faked databases. It then explains that even faked identities need to be carefully crafted. Finishing with an explanation of the USA SSN format, and how to fake identities that can’t possibly be real SSN values.
It is interesting that SSN starting with 666 have been reserved and will never be issued. Given the religious sensitivity of 666 it is not too surprising. I wonder how many other identity systems do this same reservation. It does open up a really great pattern for pseudonyms. Since the pseudonym is not associated with an actual human, there should be no problem using it as a fake identity. Further since it is rather easy to see, it will be a quick way to identify data that are pseudonymized.
It is interesting that SSN starting with 666 have been reserved and will never be issued. Given the religious sensitivity of 666 it is not too surprising. I wonder how many other identity systems do this same reservation. It does open up a really great pattern for pseudonyms. Since the pseudonym is not associated with an actual human, there should be no problem using it as a fake identity. Further since it is rather easy to see, it will be a quick way to identify data that are pseudonymized.
