Okay weird stuff keeps happening in my life. I like boring.
I don�t want to be paranoid, but this is too odd. I am embarrassed that I was so dumb in the first place and now I am embarrassed that I am nervous.
First there was the entire keylogger thing. Totally my fault for being unaware of the possibility. I really thought the ad aware, avg, and Rogers detectors were enough.
Apparently there were two running on my system.
Anyway, I found out who did it totally by accident. A fella one town over from home, who I had some contact with originally through one of the groups I do a bunch of volunteer work for. This is not someone I was involved with, nothing like that. He would messenger me and we would chat. I was really beginning to think this is a pleasant person.
One day I got a message in error, after we had a chat. I guess he forgot to close the window and intended to send it to some one else. The message basically explained the nifty keylogger program and what he was up to.
Then a couple of minutes later blinking at the screen I suppose sent a message � are you mad at me?

That night after my baseball game I sat down to get my mail. I hadn�t shut messenger off I had one message from a friend, one random message, one wacko *** offer, and this strange message.
I talked to a IT fella at work and he gave me heck for having an open system. Told me what to buy to upgrade and lock out problems.

I was going to buy a nice spiffy new machine, but I will be out of work shortly so I could not justify the expense. I went with plugging the holes.
Kindly told him what I thought of that invasion and behavior- he was all over witht he you don't understand blah blah, don't do this - I said bye, deleted him from contacts and blocked him from sending me any.
His behavior and living so close kind of made me a bit jumpy. He knows my neighbourhood, he knows some of the places I go. Creepy people who know where I live. Yuck.

This morning my doorbell rang not 5 minutes after I had turned on my bedroom light to start the day. This is 4 am. I thought maybe the paper guy had car trouble of something. I don�t have a peephole, and the side window is that glazed privacy glass. I flicked on a bunch of lights and looked out my living room window. It was black out but there was no one on the step. My front door is at the corner f the house and I have no view of that side of the house from any window. I waited and watched for a couple minute. Nothing
I was about to get in the shower when it rang a gain. My dog started to bark and went to the door. I looked out again and nothing. I did not open the main door. I could not remember if I had latched the screen door. So forget that. I am hoping for it to be an electrical malfunction or something. So more money spent. Sigh, new doorbell to be installed, new peep hole to be installed, and I am going to buy those little window alarms too.
I am hoping that the doorbell goes off on it's own tonight after work so I can just take it down and get a new one.

Okay � so after that silly story. Tell me am I being a bit much? I like to think I am just cautious here, but perhaps I am over reacting, and took it too seriously and really should just shake it off.

I hope you are being paranoid, for your sake, but be very, very careful. There are some crazy and sick people in this world. I had a stalker once and was scared out of my mind. He would drive an hour and a half to get to me and we had only been on a couple of dates w/nothing more than a hug between us. He turned me off of him really quick when he talked about how he couldn't wait for his little beautiful 1 year old blonde haired blue eyed daughter to grow up and be a stripper or pose for one of those magazines (you know the ones I mean). I definately didn't think I needed him as a role model for my son, so I stopped taking his calls and stuff. He actually waited one night until he knew I had been out all day w/my son playing and had turned off the lights in my apartment. He waited until they were off only about 10 minutes or so and then decided to knock. Unfortunately for me, I was half asleep and opened the door. While he was there, he pinned me to the wall w/his hand around my throat. I was scared to make a noise because my then 3 year old was asleep just about 15 or 20 feet away. He left w/o harming either of us, but I moved about 2 weeks later and have since bought a house where I feel more secure.

I'm not telling you this story to frighten you, but just to let you know that it is good that you didn't open the door. People are crazy and can go off for no apparent reason. Just be very cautious of anything like that happening and definately get some sort of protection. I also now go to the door when it is knocked on or the bell rings in the middle of the night holding a flashlight and cordless phone w/my cell phone nearby. You'd be wise to call the police, too, if it happens again. But, w/all that said, I hope it is just you being a little paranoid.

Thank's Ty's Mom.
I am so glad you weren't harmed. There are strange people out there.
I checked the door bell after work tonight and it is working fine, it hasn't rung on it's own all night.
There was someone out there.
I know because the door is only about three feet from the corner of the house and
well I had a bag of dog business tucked there from cleaning up the back yard yesterday after work - waiting for garbage day. It was stepped on.
I am going to call the police tomorrow after my ex picks up my son for the afternoon.

I'll tell my story and see what they recommend.

Thanks for reading it all out and for sharing your awful experience with me.

Omy! Well if it IS paranoia then maybe it's telling you things you should have done a long time ago .. peep hole, alarm system and whatever else it is you need to do. I never open the door to anyone if I'm not expecting. Everyone I know knows this and will call me ahead of time. That may be an idea for you as well. Let us know what the police can recommend. Hang tight and be safe.

Hugss

I say that the next time it happens, call the police immediately. You don't want to take that kind of chance w/yourself or your son. Definately get that peep hole installed ASAP! That would help at least a little. Good luck w/the police. I'll keep you in my thoughts.

Thanks ladies.
Quiet uneventful night yesterday. Thank goodness. I slept too, which surprised me in a way. I think the fact that I have the dog is a big factor in that. Today is a holiday so the businesses are all closed. Tomorrow morning I will go to the hardware store and get the things I need. If I can't do the peephole myself then I'll call a handy man service to do it. I live in a pretty nice suburban family neighborhood, so I have always felt relatively safe and comfortable. Time to tighten stuff up.

I've learned never to become complacent w/my surroundings. I live in an affluent neighborhood behind a large iron gate, but I know that there have been several break-ins in the area and such.

I'm glad that you slept through the night and hope that it was just a one-time thing that never happens again. It is good that you are taking care of things to protect yourself, though. If you have a drill and screwdriver, you shouldn't have a problem doing the peephole yourself. Good luck and enjoy your holiday! I know I'll be enjoying mine on Monday!!!

Just a little update.
I did call the police station. The dispatch was very nice and sent a pair of officers to my place.

They were nice and helpful.
They told me never to open the door without knowing who was on the other side, no matter what time of day.
They also said not to hesitate, but to pick up the phone and call 911. Use it.
They encouraged me to definately do some of the things to make gaining entry more difficult and unappealing to an intruder. So my shopping list includes :Two more motion sensor lights, contact alarms for the windows would also be good, new locks for the back door and garage door.
They did say having the dog was a great thing that break ins are often inturupted and intruders discouraged by a barking dog in the home.
They aslo said that the shrubbs ( where I had the bag of dog business)should be moved. I great spot for someone to crouch behind right near the door.
I'm glad I called. I am going shopping today and get the things I need and will put it all together today. It's a day to be doing it. My son is at his grandparents with his father for the day so I will have time to get it all done.

Good for you Harmony. I am glad you are taking the steps to protect yourself and your son. I think it is sad that you need to.
Dogs are wonderful to have around the house.
I hope all goes well for you. Do be careful but remember to have some fun too.
God bless.

I agree, it may be a harmless situation but it is always better to be safe. I have two dogs (45-60 pounders) and I feel so much better at night. The town where I live is one of those mixed ones, there really is no definite wrong side of the tracks. It also helps that both of my brothers are police officers here and one lives next door. LOL Just another reason I live with mom. Good luck on the installation of your new gear!

Right on Harmony .. even if this WAS just all paranoia, aren't you glad you went throught it all anyway? Good luck shopping and let us know what you bought. I rent my place so my lanlord has this house all equipped as well .. one of the reasons as to why I've stayed for so long. We have house alarms, motion sensor lights and our doors are clear of cluttering plants. It's made me feel safe, not to mention that my lanlord and family are like family to me as well, in the sense that they look out for me.

There ARE good people around!

Just a little update: All is well here at Chateau Fort Knox.
LOL - Everything is installed but the peep hole.
I have to get a different bit for my drill.

Feels good, and these really are things I should have already done.
The police stopped by tonight to see if there had been any other stuff out of the ordinary.
Wasn't that nice. They told me that crusiers have driven by while officers were in the area.
I thanked them for everything and for taking me seriously.
I really think this is over and whom ever it was, was frightened off by the dog.
LOL - she isn't a poodle. She has a big big voice. German Sheppard / Boarder Collie cross I adopted from the Humaine Society last year.

It's great to hear that the police have been so attentive to your fears and are helping in making sure that you are safe. It is great that you are also taking charge of the safety of your family and putting in place the measures they recommended. I think for one thing, I'd be putting one of the motion lights on that side of the house. I think that would scare someone off, too if they moved over there to hide only to be discovered. I do hope this means that it is over and that nothing else is going to happen. I'm glad that you're safe and so is your son.

My gosh, wow I just started reading this.... I'm glad everything is worked out/ you have the safety stuff installed... it is scarey... had it happen to me once.. Just remember not to take chances.. the police usually have no problem coming out especially if you are the lone adult in the home. Hopefully he got scared off and won't come back....