I worked hard to develop my online identity. I don’t want it stolen.

Without a doubt technology is a double edged sword.  For all the advances and benefits we derive from it, there is that element which dulls the enthusiasm.  In the fairytale factory of my mind, I wish a software developer would create a program titled, "Return to Sender."  It would act as a counter-virus, which would immediately trace hackers backwards to their computer origin, and destroy their hard-drives

I love Myrl's idea "return to sender". LOL There are more low lifes on the internet than ever, especially on social media sites. I'm not sure what can be done about it other than ignore it, or make them look like the trouble makers they are (which you did with this post). Good job!  

I have seen this with strange things being posted or emailed from friends and family members and I don't really understand why they do it.  

I love Myrl's idea -- a counter-virus.  Of course, then the hackers would have the counter virus also, so viruses would just ping-pong across the "cloud" forever.

We might have to go back to pen and paper and knocking on doors and using our hard wired phones to call leads.

Most of the time, as you pointed out, it is not very funny.  But, I admit, my son hacks my dauther in laws Facebook.  His posts, as he has hacked in her site, is always about what a great guy and husband he is.  He does not do it so often that people catch on, but it is fun to see all the girly responses about how luck she is.

Stay on guard was the advise I was given with my first online experience.  Holds true to today.

Always have to stay on alert for PW, thanks for sharing.

Have a Big day,

Randy

the KISS principal brings me peace...I don't seek new ways just the ones that work

What I hate are the spammers that send out messages that look like they came from you or your social media account.  But in reality they did not hack you.  THey just make it look like they did. 

Richard, I've been getting some emails from people I know with scammer links in them. If they would just funnel their energy into doing some good.

so true, thanks for the Post!

Richard, hackers are definitely annoying. I still don't understand what's the point of it all, especially with things that serve not purpose but to annoy people for a short while. I hate that the first thing that people say though is "are your passwords strong enough? etc. etc." There's only so much passwords can do.

I know, I've been the victim of that recently. What a giant waste of time to clear things up.

It's fine to work hard on productive activities, but I mightily object to needing to spend time cleaning up after hackers

I like Bliz's comment about the desert island and sharks. Let them all enjoy the pleasure of each other's company.

Richard, it is a rare week that I don't receive some kind of email or FB contact from a friend who was hacked. It's disturbing.

I use LastPass to remember all of my passwords and try to make sure that I actually do have a good password - letter, caps, numbers and symbols!

No matter what the time-period, what the technology, or what the political climate is, there have always been, and will always be, ne'er-do-wells who prey on others.  And it is usually those who are leasat prepared to fend off these scammers that suffer.