You’ve got to love technology! Add to the hundreds and hundreds of useful (and sometimes not so useful) applications for your iPhone a brand new one that lets you do a fast background check on someone with just a few clicks. Called DateCheck, this ingenious little piece of software lets you put in a person’s name, phone number, or email address, and it will search a variety of web resources to quickly give you a snapshot of the person’s background and life.

DateCheck does this by using the information you plug into it to conduct a web search of multiple sources such as social networking sites, public records, and the like. And boy, does it ever come back with plenty of information! From criminal records to property assets to allowing you to submit ratings for a particular person, DateCheck makes it easy to, well, check someone out.

I really like the way DateCheck categorizes the information it finds, too. The first category is the Sleaze Detector, which is where you will find information about DUIs, sexual offenses, or other criminal issues. Next up is Compatibility, matching their zodiac sign to yours (okay, this one is not very scientific), followed by Net Worth, Living Situation, and Interests. It’s so effective at checking out these categories that if a person owns a home, for instance, you stand a decent chance of being able to tell its number of bedrooms and square footage.

Unfortunately, DateCheck is only available for the iPhone right now, so if you have another kind of mobile phone you’re out of luck. But look on the bright side – if you’ve been looking for an excuse to buy an iPhone this neat little application might just be the reason you need!

Dating Essentials Background Checks, Crime, iPhone, Mobile, Online Safety

When you’re browsing through love profiles online, you might be blinded by the love. You might find that all of your potential love interests seem to be into you, so you’re willing to do anything – even catch and pass on a dangerous love bug.

A computer virus.

Just like other more intimate moments, you need to make sure you’re protecting yourself and others from viruses that plague the online dating world. Even if you’re certain your computer is clean, another person’s computer may not.

And not everyone is exactly what they seem to be.

First of all, never, ever click on any links in emails from others you don’t really know. These can be routes into your computer for phishing attacks and hackers. Yes, this means you even need to avoid those cute-sy e-cards that everyone is sending. They can be virus-toting time bombs.

It’s also a good idea to avoid giving out your personal information to anyone – especially password information. While this should be common sense, you need to realize that hackers know how vulnerable you might be as a struggling single.

But you need to make sure they don’t get what they want – your money and your data.

To further protect yourself, make sure your email address for your online dating account isn’t your ‘real’ email address. Sign up for a free account with Hotmail, for example, to keep your life and your dating separate. This will only hinder cyber attacks more.

You can be safe and clean from this modern love bug. And don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Safety Cyber Attacks, Disease, Identity, Love, Money, Online Safety, Profile, Virus

The truth is that with people living longer and divorce numbers rising, more people are returning to the dating game than ever. And this new breed of baby boomer daters is finding that the rules have changed for them.

Dating for those that are back in ‘the game’ has become more complicated. Not only do you have to worry about online safety, but you also have to learn about how to use the online dating systems that are now the hottest place to meet someone new.

It’s a whole different scene.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun doing it. Daters that are just coming back to the problem of finding a new date need to keep these things in mind:

1. If you don’t meet a person in person, they might not be who they say they are.
2. You CAN meet a good person online, if you’re honest and open to talking with others
3. Get to know someone before you meet them in person
4. If you have anything that you do not like or do not want in a date, be sure to say so.

Though you might not have someone to set you up with the perfect man or woman, you can play your own matchmaker with online dating. Just be clear about what you want (and what you don’t want) to find the right person for you.

Sure, the rules have changed, and the playing field has become a little scarier, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun along the way.

Safety Divorce, Nerves, Online Safety, Rules