What do you guys think about internet safety and the trust attached when it comes to the internet? Especially considering the sheer numbers of stories of defrauders and stalkers and whatnot? Can you trust someone you know only over the internet? Especially with a lot of the paranoia that is often attached?

Can you trust most people for that matter? In a world where others can be seen as a 'constant threat' and vigilence is often key, are we a society too wrapped up in fear to trust others?

I pretty much treat my online friends the same as I would with people in real life--trust has to be earned. After all, not all the frauds are hiding behind a computer screen.

I trust most people online but I only met two people in person. And now one of them is one of my greatest friends ever and the other sadly passed away in a car accident.

But the people in forums I trust the most. I wouldn't meet anyone else in person anymore though unless I spoke to them for a while.

=)

Most of my friends are on the internet. I've only met a few on them in real life. One of them we found out are parents were good friends.
And my very best friend (besides those who are related to me) is Kuroi-nii. He and I are like brother and sister! And I've never met him face to face. I trust my friends sometimes even more than those I know face to face. But, I've been traveling my whole life so most RL friendships don't last.

well trust is something that has to be earned.
It takes time to build...
...BUT it can easily destroyed.

I have issues with people, I don't trust anybody completely, not even my own parents. Must be childhood trauma or something, not sure. (darn, I need a shrink... <_<)
Sometimes I don't even trust myself too! O_o'

Trust is complicated. I'm a lot more trusting than I used to be after some issues, but there was a time I didn't really want to trust anyone. I'm happy that I am more trusting. As for online, obviously I trust enough to marry someone I met online! :lol: I've started to trust quite a few people from here, although I'm still cautious. I know I can't trust everyone, but to not trust anyone would be a flaw as well. You can't be afraid of everyone, and yes, you will have your trust betrayed, but you can't let it rule how you see things.

Trust can take years to earn, but only a second to destroy...I know that from my own experience.

I have lots of friends on the internet, I met one and she made me meet all her friends. So that added, like, 6 people to my messenger. That was kind of annoying, but I trust them enough at the moment. One girl I know from the internet has become one of my best friends, but I do not know her face-to-face. I simply have problems trusting people anyways! People I've known for 2 or 3 years, I still have problems opening up with them. But thats just my personality now. I've actually become a lot less trusting in the past few years becuase of a few things, but thats a differant story. :lol:

Ah...trust.

I struggled with ideas about trust for a few weeks not too long ago. The struggles mainly involved issues with my real-life friends, what is trust, different types, degrees, blah blah blah.

As for Internet trust, I haven't given it a lot of thought, but I have changed my policy to more trust. I started off without giving any information about my name, general address or anything. But then I found out that all my real life friends put their general addresses in their online profiles, so I was like o_O for a few weeks then I decided to give it out to at least peoplve I've talked to online for some time. Then a few months later I gave out my real name to a person or two, and since my msn messenger name has my real name those I've added to that (which are few enough) also know that.

My most recent activity in my trend towards trust has been sending pics to some of the people I've only met online. It's only been a few though...those that I trust the most or figure live far enough away to feel safe.

But heh. Even if they lived in the closest continent I wouldn't worry too much.

And obviously, credit card nos and stuff like that are no-nos.

Internet trust? Well, like everything else (and as most of you had already stated) it should be earned. :D It's as hard for me to trust people in real life and on the internet since people are more or less the same... I suppose the fact that you aren't really hearing voices or seeing faces makes it harder for some people to trust people online, and hearing those horror stories about frauds online makes it harder!...

For me, it's just a matter of choosing your people and watching out for yourself anywhere. ;)

An unusual topic but a very good one.I do trust people online.Especially on forums.Maby im just a very trusting person but thats just me.I dont have any trouble giving out my name because what really are people going to do with it?Besides most people are in different countries anyway.I made a lot of friends on one forum in particular lately which I havent met but I do trust them and have a lot of fun talking to them.

And as for frauds.........I guess you just have to trust people enough that they are who they say they are.Caution is fine to a certain extent but being over defensive can be a bad thing.