Followers and Friends on this forum

Is anyone able to help? I've got people following me who I don't wish to follow me. I select their names and try to delete but nothing happens. If someone follows me does it mean they get a notification each time I post? Surely I should be able to say whether or not I want someone to be notified if I post something.

One of them has also sent me a private message. I've since turned all my messages onto "friends only" (I thought I had already changed this setting once).

They just enjoy your contributions so want to be notified if you post something. Someone followed me today funnily enough (you know who you are!). It is a compliment really.

just checked my profile - I don't think I have any followers - you're honoured!

I've selected them and pressed unfollow (I know this is more probably for people who I follow) but it hasn't taken them off. 

People are strange.

It's a bit weird how they are people I've never seen contribute on the forum

I think followers are normally people who regularly like what you post.   But I understand that there are others who are stalkers...