Wild and wacky internet people....

I got an email today that completely freaked me out!

This... mind you... from a 53-year-old female Internet acquaintance.

"Can't you send a photo? I'll bet you're really cute..."

I'm 56-freaking-years old! I'm not cute!

I am also not open to that kind of interaction. At all. Period.

Admittedly, I am not into the whole social networking, MySpace, Facebook stuff. The very idea of it makes me want to crawl under the bed.

That is not to say that I haven't become friends with people I initially met on the Internet. I have. I'm very open about phone calls. My long distance is free and minutes unlimited. I'm more than willing to take advantage of it. Mail is okay. I have a post office box. I would only meet someone once I'm reasonably sure they are who they indicate they are. "Extremely cautious" is one way to describe my Internet experience.

I have talked with a few people who regularly comment on this site. However, I know they are decent, respectable people ... as I'm sure all of my commenters are. I'd feel safe talking with any of you.

At the same time, I am not willing to put my entire identity out on the Internet for anyone to grab. I don't reveal information that would allow anyone to track me down.

I don't understand all of this "web chat" stuff. And sending notes to virtual strangers, saying "I'll bet you're really cute."

Does anyone really fall for that stuff?

Perhaps it's just my background in IT.. but don't most people realize that using those programs leaves an open port right into your computer system, one that can allow anyone with reasonable skills to copy everything on your hard drive? It's an open portal, for crying out loud!

Am I hopelessly behind the times? Is this sort of thing common now?

I don't get it! It makes me shudder! Seriously. It scares the hell out of me!

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Net nuts....

I have met a net nut.

This is the second net nut I have met since I came on line in the early 90s. All told, that's probably a fairly good track record.

Still, it's eery to know there are people like that "out there", people who look for someone seems vulnerable. In my case, I tend to be a bit naive about people and sometimes connect to the wrong folks. I take people as they are and sometimes that gives an inroad for someone who is potentially destructive.

I don't want to go into too much detail at this point but I'll just say that the good news is that I recognize it this time and can do something to put a stop to it before it gets too serious. I wasn't quite so fortunate last time.

I'll tell all... when it's resolved.

Have you ever met a net nut?

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