I know lately this hasn't been a big topic, but it was several years ago. There are sick people in this world who will go and stalk people... be it online, in a bar, or your neighbor across the street. Some people just want sex, some want love, some want a relationship. Many times it's an internet predator from some online dating service getting a little too serious...

I recall hearing stories of online predators, but I think it's really up to the individual to prevent it. If they're foolish enough to get into a "relationship" that can turn that bad, then they really deserve it in my opinion. That is, of course, unless they are a young child. Then the responsibility goes ot the parents.

Knowing proper self-defense in these situations is important, in cast the stalker turns violent. Nonetheless, most times the victim can get a restraining order. Stalking is a crime, rightfully so.

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I think that we are hearing less and less about this type of thing because people today are much more educated about the internet and safe use of it. I remember when I was a teenager the in thing was to have an internet boyfriend and eventually meet that person.

I keep hearing more about it lately. I have to say that I do not agree that the online thing is preventable. There are lots of ways that someone can find out information about us on the internet, even if we do not get into any kind of relationship with them. There are a lot of tech-savy people out there who will find ways to track us down if they really want to. Probably the only way to prevent it totally would be to stay off the internet alltogether.

Even staying offline doesn't make you safe. For 24.95 on various websites someone can type in your name and an old phone number or address or your birthday and get all sorts of info on you, it is a scary thing.
There are some websites that do it for free. Any ounce of info on you can tell someone where you live, then google or mapquest gives them your directions.

Its things like this that need to be stopped and people need to stand up and say something to our go'vt about better privacy laws on the web.

The best thing is don't give people much info about yourself online just like you wouldn't give it out to a stranger you meet at a bar,

Nowadays you can't be to careful, but less people use the net for bad now. More for good comes off the net.

unfortunately it will never happen as all of the information you can get online from those sites is a matter of public record that anyone can access if they know where to look for it the sites only put it in one convienent location the only way to get private information is by breaking into systems. for instance if i knew your name and you own your own house i can go to the local courthouse and get your exact adress and i could tell you more about your house than you might think i would know....most records of houses give the rooms a floorplan what type of heat you use if you are conected to public utilities or if you have a well some even state if you have an alarm system...so you dont need to be rallying for privacy on the net you need to be rallying for the goverment to keep less info on you