Could some use my user name and password on the Internet?

This has happened twice: My daughter tried to sign onto AOL one evening and was informed that our computor site wa "in use" by someone using MY name. I called AOL who told me to change my password. Could someone use my name? Can they "be me" and read my mail? Have access to my credit card numbers if I have used them before online?

I was charged on my phone bill ($90)for "going to a site with a phone number on an island in Africa somewhere." I didnt know I did. How do I prevent this? I have Norton Virus Check.

Thank you. Virginia

This question was answered on May 8, 2001. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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Hi Virginia,

AOL is aware of the stolen user name/password problem Unfortunately it is possible for hackers to guess or otherwise 'crack' your AOL password and gain access to your AOL account and email It is not likely that the could get your CC number this way but there are other ways they can get it Despite the possibility though, it is quite rare and you should never use your CC at web sites that you do not know for sure that you can trust As far as the phone bill is concerned, there are some unscrupulous web sites that mislead people into downloading a dialing program that will secretly disconnect you from your ISP and then dial an international number which works similar to 900 numbers in that they get paid by the foreign telephone company from the charges that are incurred Beware of downloading anything from the internet.

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Posted by Swanya of Chandler-Gilbert Community College on May 8, 2001

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