I am so glad you are back! You have been missed!
I so understand the 'personal safety' issue. Years ago, not to long after I acquired my first home computer, my sister was always warning me about keeping myself private on the internet. She was a higher up mucky muck programmer for AOL for years.
Reason it is okay for me to use my 'nickname' is because only my recovery friends actually know my sobriety date. Even my 'first love' that I reconnected with in 2010, who it turned out was really vindictive to those he 'believed had wronged him' had no idea.
My sister keeps up on her 'computer skills' as she does consulting work to this day, and periodically she has tried to find me on the net, to see what 'sites' I might be frequenting and she cannot not, roflmao Other than my Facebook, and I do not stay logged in there, and I have a program on my computer that keeps any and all sites from 'following' me around on the net. To date and I have only had this new program for 3 months it has foiled 7,000+ attempts, lol Oh, and I know y'all know this but choose your passwords carefully and include a number or two and a character or two. Used something that only you would know, maybe something from early childhood, no pet names, no children's names, etc Any online purchases I used a refillable debit card, and only that card, so my other cards are protected from the net.
The internet has in reality become a VERY DANGEROUS PLACE, especially for the every day person, just living their life.
The Ex did get pretty bad, not only trying to blow up my phone with calls and texts messages, but sending threatening letters to my P.O. Box, etc His brother is the computer wiz and even he could not find me on the net. I took it all to my attorney and he had an attorney friend of his write the EX on my behalf stating in no uncertain terms to cease and desist or I would have no recourse but to go to the FBI as his harassment was interstate. He sent the letter Overnight so a signature would be required, and we knew he got it.
BINGO, not another word or phone call or text message.
I know there are 'stickys' on various forums here about 'protecting your identity', so I hope everyone, even those who feel they do not need to worry, do just that. You NEVER know ...........................................
(((((CO)))))) I am so very happy to see you posting again!!!!!!
Love and hugs,