[Cajlwdvx]

From my experience: When you go to the astral while conscious, you tend to draw more attention from "astral beings" then when you don't.
I believe we do project to astral also a lot while we are sleeping - then our subconscious and higher self are driving and they know what they are doing and how to stay safe. Of course some people do attract even then unwanted attention.

For example ghosts see the astral travelers and hope, that these people might be able to help them. So they start to follow them around. There have been some people coming to my place and when they had left again, I noticed a ghost/earthbound spirit, who had been following the person. This spirit told me, that he knew about 30 more who try to get attention of diverse astral travelers, but mostly get ignored. Anyway, these went to the light now, but there are lots more.
Some of these ghosts have learned to make annoying sound to irritate pets, some have learned to affect people. The more sensitive the person, the more effect they can have.

There is nastier stuff then ghosts (and also some that are much, much nastier), that might get attracted. Luckily the average astral traveler seems to be somewhat "boring" for the more dangerous types. But I do not know are you one of the "boring types". When I feel fear, I take it as a hint from my subconscious or higher self and listen to it.

What I suggest is, if you are really interested, first learn how to put up some wards in your practice room. That can be done with intention and focus.
Then, for starters stay in your room. As alternative, you can create a kind of garden in your mind - a safe place, and always project into this garden. It is a bit like staying in your own head.
In the safety of your room or garden contact your spirit guide and other helpers. Make sure that you feel comfortable with them - should they feel scary or in any way "off", then they might be impostors. It helps to fill yourself with joy and happiness before calling your "helpers", then it is usually the real helpers.

Before you venture out, learn from your helpers how to help the ghosts/earthbound souls and some basic protection. Always take one of your helpers along and listen to his/her advice to stay safe - they know the place. When something feels scary, better back away and talk about it with your helpers in your safe place.

Astral traveling is not just a dream, it is reality. Therefore it can affect your life and other peoples lives. But if you take some precautions, astral projection is fairly safe, just like material life.