DEAR ABBY: Please warn all those poor trusting souls out there never to give out their passwords -- ever!
I work in an office with about 20 people, mostly middle-aged women, many of whom are going through divorces. I have noticed a disturbing trend -- cyberstalking. Several of the women use passwords provided to them in the past, when the relationships were good, to access personal data.
One woman accesses her husband's bank account so they can all have a good laugh at how he's struggling financially. Another has her ex's e-mail and Facebook passwords and delights in telling everyone about the angry messages being left by the ex's new girlfriend. The latest is the use of an ex-husband's password to spy on his online dating account.
Tell your readers out there to safeguard their passwords. Don't give them out no matter how much they trust someone. But if they do, when the relationship ends, change each and every one -- no matter how inconsequential. -- SICK TO MY STOMACH IN CONNECTICUT
DEAR SICK: I'm sure your letter will cause readers of both sexes to do a double take. No one can ever be too careful with personal information. Revealing a password is like giving someone the keys to your house, your safe-deposit box and your diary.