Pop star Taylor Swift ensures her security guards are well informed about potential threats to her safety by keeping a file on all of her alleged stalkers and overzealous fans.

The Shake It Off hitmaker reveals she has had no choice but to sacrifice a little of her privacy and hire bodyguards around the clock to make sure she doesn't fall victim to deranged devotees after experiencing a number of close calls over the years.

She tells Esquire magazine, "I fought the idea of having security for a very long time, because I really value normalcy. I really do. I like to be able to take a drive by myself. Haven't done that in six years. They have to be in a car behind me. Because just the sheer number of men we have in a file who have showed up at my house, showed up at my mom's house, threatened to either kill me, kidnap me, or marry me."

However, Swift admits she prefers not to dwell on the negatives of fame.

She adds, "This is the strange and sad part of my life that I try not to think about. I try to be lighthearted about it, because I don't ever want to be scared. I don't want to be walking down the street scared. And when I have security, I don't have to be scared."

Swift has good reason to worry about her safety - in March (14), she had to obtain a permanent restraining order against alleged stalker Timothy Sweet, who was convinced the singer was his wife, after he bombarded her with frightening emails, letters and messages via social media.