The issue of security in Whyville is becoming very important. These days, I hear a lot of people saying that their clams, clothes, and other Whyville possessions have been stolen. I also hear a lot of people revealing their passwords, full names, where they live, and other personal real-life things.

There is a way that we can avoid these things. Keep your password VERY secure -- don't tell a single person, other than your parents (in case you forget it). Or, change your password to something totally different, with numbers and capital letters. Or, keep your password simple, that YOU can remember, but change it once in a while.

And what about personal information? Well, if someone asks you where you live, you can say what state or province you are from. Unless you live in a big city such as New York, LA, or Toronto, don't say what city you are from.

If you think you are talking to a good person, you could tell them what city you live in, but I really think that it is a bad idea. Since I live in a smaller city, I just say, "I live near... (the name of a big city)".

And if someone asks you your name, NEVER EVER say your last name; they don't need to know that. But saying your first name is all right, because a lot of people might have that name, and no one can track you down only knowing your first name.

A lot of people already know this, but meeting a person from the internet could be a seriously bad idea. A lot of people lie about themselves. They might say they are 13 years old, but they could be 30! It does happen, and if a kid did meet another person online, the result could be extremely bad. I heard a story of a girl who met a man online, and met with him in real life. He turned out to be a very bad person, totally unlike the person he seemed to be online.

As I mentioned, it's easy for people to lie online, but that can also be a good thing. If someone asks you what your password is, you can lie about that. You can also lie about where you are from, or what your full name is.

Lying is safer than telling the truth, but it's even better if you don't tell them any of those things. Don't even tell anyone about what your friends' full names are, or their passwords. That could mean the end of your friendship, or worse.

I don't want to lecture you like your parents would, but this is a thing we should all be aware of. So surf safe, and have fun, 'cause the internet should be fun!

This is CandyBabe, signing off.