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We've been inundated lately with stories of Craigslist's Casual Encounters being used for revenge. In the latest, 65-year-old Barbara Goddard has been suffering at the hands of an online tormentor who keeps posting ads that direct people to her home for an evening of casual sex.

The abuse has been going on for 18 months, and when Goddard posted a sign on her door warning Craigslist respondees of the set-up, her harasser adapted, including the line "Ignore notice on front door" in his next ad.

You're thinking, This can't be legal, right? Unfortunately, it kind of is. As Marc Fisher of The Washington Post reports, there is a "void" in the law when it comes to online harassment. So while there are plenty of suggestions for how to prevent harassment, there's not so much you can do if you've already got perverts on your porch.

Even the laws that do exist are difficult to enforce, since the Web encourages anonymity, allowing perpetrators to change identities as easily as e-mail addresses.

But what about when the situation goes beyond annoying? Will a thwarted suitor have to turn violent or someone post an ad inciting physical harm before the law catches up to technology?

Ten Signs He Could Be a Stalker

    He'll try to befriend your friends and family. In a healthy relationship, this is great and what you want (it's a sign that he wants to integrate your lives and get closer as a couple). But if a guy is just an acquaintance or friend and starts moving in on your circle, be wary....especially if your friends or family members mention not really liking this person. "It's a way for him to keep tabs on you, not a genuine interest in you," says Dr. McCoy.

    'Cape Fear,' Getty Images

    He shows up in inappropriate places. Beyond first dates and traits, some of these clues start to surface when stalking behavior has started. For instance, if he drives by your home or office at times he's not supposed to be there. "Stalkers tend to be somewhat paranoid because they think everyone thinks the same way they do and so he'll pop up in places where he shouldn't be running into you accidentally which shows you're being followed or he's paying too close attention to your schedule," says Dr. McCoy.

    'Secret Window,' Columbia Pictures

    He'll be excessively generous. He's trying to sweep you off your feet, but also claim you as his own property. "This guy will constantly be sending cards, flowers, gifts...all lovely things but he may take it to a level way beyond the average person courting someone," says Dr. McCoy. He may think that his extravagance will buy your affection.

    'The Cable Guy,' Columbia Pictures

    He's likely quite secretive. Don't mistake this guy as just the brooding, silent type. He could intentionally not be giving you much about his past because he doesn't really want you to know it. "One thing about these types...this is likely not the first time they've done it and you're not the first one they've done it to," says Dr. McCoy. "They may even be secretive in what they write. I've noticed that some of these types don't like to say much in an email because they don't want to leave a written track of what they're doing or saying."

    'One Hour Photo,' Fox Searchlight

    He looks for particularly nurturing women. This type wants someone whom he knows will feel sorry for him if he tells her a story about his childhood or some other sadness in his life (whether it's true or not). It's part of the control. If you show you care for him in any small way, he thinks he's winning.

    'There's Something About Mary,' Everett Collection

    He doesn't get the word "no." They will argue with you, attempting to argue away all your reasons for saying no (hoping that eventually you'll say "yes" just to stop the argument). "Remember that it is all about him in this situation...he's not thinking about you," says Dr. McCoy. "If you're saying 'no' you're not giving him something he wants." And what he ultimately wants is control of you.

    'Chuck and Buck,' Artisan Entertainment

    He'll move really fast. A man with potential stalker tendencies will do anything he can to make sure you have a "relationship" as quickly as possible. He may even start offering something called "false pairings" to try and establish that you're a duo. "You may have just met and he'll start throwing around the 'we' word in phrases like 'We have the same tastes in this' or 'I bet we'd like that,'" says Dr. McCoy. "It gives the impression that there is some sort of relationship when there is none yet."

    'Fear,' Universal

    He has no problem lying. Whether it's about something in his past, his accomplishments or whatever, these types won't think twice about stating untruths. This may also include him being a braggart about fantastic future, and often unrealistic, plans he has (that will likely never actually happen). "Don't go by anything that he says, go by what he does," says Dr. McCoy.

    'Down in the Valley,' Thinkfilm

    He is very controlling. Stalkers feel a need to be in control and don't like situations where they aren't the ones calling the shots. "If a man always has to pick the restaurant, for instance, or isn't okay going on a different time or day than he wanted, it could be a red flag," says Dr. Dorothy McCoy, a psychotherapist and author of The Manipulative Man. "Men like this are not happy with a situation if they can't control the elements."

    'Sleeping With the Enemy,' 20th Century Fox

    His emotions may not fit. These types tend to always be wearing a mask of some kind because they're covering up so much. However, you can get a glimpse of this mask if he says something about his emotional state but it doesn't register physically. "He might say 'I'm so sad' but there is no facial expression of sadness to indicate that he really is," says Dr. McCoy. "If you catch yourself thinking 'But he doesn't LOOK sad' it could be a clue – it's very confusing to the rest of us who when we feel sad, show it."

    'I Know What You Did Last Summer' - Everett Collection