It was Tuesday night. The girls and I were watching the election and I was trying to download some pictures from my camera. It wasn't working and I was really distracted when I realized that I was getting a call on Skype. For those of you who don't know, Skype is a free application that allows you to video chat with other Skype members. My family started using it about a year ago to talk with each other as we were all in different locations. It's really neat, because you can actually see each other on your computers. And as mom says, it gives her the "fix" she needs to not miss us all so much.
This summer, my mom got a new laptop and I inherited her old one. I have not used Skype since I got the laptop, so all the settings/logins/profile information was still set to my mom's account. When I saw that I had a call, I thought I should answer it as it was probably one of my mom's friends/contacts. Actually, I didn't even know I was signed in to Skype, but apparently my mom had set it to sign her in when she logs on to her computer. Anyways, I didn't recognize the name (Tom Brady's Brother) although I am sure everyone else would have seen that as a red flag. So, I'm telling the girls to turn the tv volume down and Morgan comes to see who is calling. Yes, we lead very boring lives, so this was sort of exciting!
For some instinctive reason, I turned my computer slightly away from me so that when I opened the application my video would not automatically be shown to this "stranger." I mean, come on, I'm aware of internet safety protocol, right?? Anyways, the guy starts talking, asking if we are home, etc... I told him, I think you have the wrong number, to which he responds Why do you think that? At this point, I click to open the video, and there it is. A full screen of his naked penis, which he promptly begins to fondle, telling me he does not have the wrong number! Remember that Morgan is standing over me, watching, right? So she runs away and gives a little yell. I, too, start freaking out and try to close the window and end the call. Well, you know how computers are... it's not like it immediately went away!!!!!!!!!!!! I was absolutely stunned. And I felt totally violated. This wasn't a random pornographic email. This was much more personal. No, he didn't really know me, and thank God he didn't get to see me (and my 12 year old), but Skype is live - and he was talking to me!!
I immediately went to the Skype website to report him and discovered that there are tons of security settings which allow you to only accept calls from your contacts (which, of course, Tom Brady's Brother is not one!). Apparently, my mom had simply downloaded the application and left all the default settings. So she was accepting calls from anyone, all her profile information was hanging out there, etc... I did take care of changing it all to be secure, but I am still reeling from it. My poor child is probably scarred for life - I know I am and I've seen a real penis before!
So, if you use Skype, please be sure you have set all your securities. So much for my naive "everyone's good, nothing bad will really happen" attitude. Those pervs are out there trolling the net looking for innocent victims. I really wanted to send him a message telling him off and how he was such a perverted freak, but decided that would only enhance his experience... Seriously, can't these people get a job?!?!
I have attached a photo of what Morgan and I saw so you can feel like you were there too. Scroll down to see it:
What? You didn't think I was a sick perv, too, did you?
5 comments:
OMG, I was appalled at the thought that you had attached a photo. Of course I scrolled down. Got me!
I still don't have any settings for my scype, but then the only person I use it with is Sandy---and she calls me to see if it's a good time. So, I don't get any random calls that way---that would be my red flag.
Stay safe,
Mom
That's awful!! I can't believe that happened to you!! Well, I guess it was a good lesson for Morgan about not talking to strangers and all that, huh. Now she knows why we, as parents, worry so much about strangers harming our children. There are just too many perverts out there!
Wow, I would of never thought that would have happened. Both Mike and I use Skype, so we can send each other messages when he's at work or out of town. Although one day I changed the icon from online to skype me(smiley face one) and immediately I got a message from someone named slaveboy! This is before we had the internet camera, so nothing scary happened. I'll have to have Mike look over our security settings.
Jess
Ok, Jess - you really need your "own" blog account seeing as I thought this was Mike, always posing as Max to be funny! It makes a little more sense now... And yes, check those settings!!!
This story never gets old! It does get more disgusting!
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