Good bye Skype

Guess how many years ago I created my Skype account... When I moved to Czechia from Greece, in 2013, Skype was my way to keep in touch with my parents and my children.

Gradually, we all migrated to other ways of contact. Mostly calling, since many providers started offering free calls to Europe. Although I have not used Skype for more than 3-4 years now, I still have my account, and I still use this fun fact to impress some younger people.

My Skype ID is my name. My first name. Only. No numbers, no dots, no nothing. Just "michalis" which is an indication of how early I registered for Skype.

And although my use of Skype has decreased in the last years, one thing has not. The attempts to hijack my account. Or is it just a mistake due to the name being so common? I still remember when in 2005 I lost my account for a little while. I got in touch with Skype and I managed to get my handle back - thanks Mihkel from Skype!

I still tend to believe Mr. Michalis Ka.... who hijacked it back then, did not have bad intentions and was just confused about the handle he had selected. It was probably a security flaw on Skype's systems logic that enabled him to take over my account.

Luckily, I had irrefutable proof that the handle was mine, and the handover was quick and efficient.