Common Sense Media Internet Safety Tips
The Internet can be a tool for personal enrichment for people of all ages. But it comes with the risk of sharing too much information with the wrong people, which can leave you exposed to sexual predators, identity thieves, cyber bullies and other Internet criminals. This can be especially risky for children, who often are less aware of how to stay safe on the Internet and more willing to trust strangers.
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Keep Your Antivirus Software Up To Date
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Good antivirus software is your first line of defense against viruses, malware and many other Internet dangers. But there are new threats being created every day, and, if you let your antivirus software subscription lapse or forget to update it, you will not be protected against them. You also should apply any update released for your operating system to increase your computer's security.
Do Not Share Personal Information With Strangers
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The first thing to keep in mind when talking to strangers on the Internet is that you know nothing about them, even if they appear to be nice and helpful. Internet offers anonymity, and that means the person you are talking to may not be who he says he is. Sharing things, such as your address and when you will be on holidays, with a forum friend can result in your house being robbed. A useful rule of thumb is asking yourself if you would share that information or picture with somebody you had just met in a shopping center.
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Check Your Privacy Options
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Social networking platforms usually have privacy options that let you configure exactly who can see your content, but many people forget to set them, leaving them with default values. If you do so, you risk anybody on the Internet seeing your pictures, status updates or that negative comment you made about your boss. The consequences can range from just an annoyance to a potential thief seeing that picture of your expensive media equipment and your exact address, along with a real-time status update from Foursquare saying that you are away from home.
Do Not Post Embarrassing Pictures Or Videos
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Your rule of thumb for a safe Internet experience should be: "If I do not want my boss or grandmother to see it, I should not share it." Once a picture enters the Internet, you have no real way of controlling where it ends up. A fun picture intended just for a special friend can end up posted for anybody to see due to poor privacy settings, over-sharing or just meanness.
Avoid Meeting People Unless Accompanied
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The popularity of online dating has seen a flood of people to sites where they hope to meet their life partner, but it also has created a new wave of sexual predators that look for victims on the Internet. Many people do not think twice about taking precautions before meeting a new Internet friend in person. To avoid unnecessary risks, always meet new people in the company of a good friend and make sure the meeting happens in a public place and not in a private home. A seeming 16-year-old on the Internet can actually be somebody double the age and with a criminal record.
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References
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