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What Should I Know About Internet Safety?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Internet safety is a large topic, which covers many different areas of staying safe and secure while surfing the net. It doesn’t just apply to web searches, but can also refer to using other connected resources like email. Much of the focus in this topic is keeping kids safe while they use the Internet, but there are many tips for adults too.

Adults can practice Internet safety tactics in a number of ways. These can be broken down into tips.

Do:

  • Use the latest applicable antiviral software to protect from viruses.
  • Install a firewall to protect computers from unauthorized access by others.
  • Disable cookies so sites can’t collect personal information.
  • Back up important data regularly.
  • Consider locking home computers or workstations to prevent others from accessing personal information.
  • Ask Internet Service Providers about what safety features they offer.

Don’t:

  • Give out personal information like name, address, or telephone number when chatting with others.
  • Download unknown software, especially file sharing software.
  • Open suspicious or unknown emails.
  • Give out emails to unknown sources, as this will probably lead to huge amounts of junk mail.
  • Release credit card information to unknown or untrustworthy sources.
  • Believe emails or sites that propose get rich quick schemes.
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Computer users should always use antivirus software and avoid giving out personal information online to help protect their safety online.
Computer users should always use antivirus software and avoid giving out personal information online to help protect their safety online.

Internet safety for children has similar recommendations and often involves parental supervision. Parents are the best firewall for their kids because even with some safety measures online, kids regularly get into trouble. Children need to know that like adults, their number one safety measure is to never give out personal information, i.e., name, address, general location, email, or telephone number.

There are other Internet safety tips for kids:

  • Kids should be told to stay on “safe” sites.
  • They shouldn’t visit unknown sites without getting parental approval first.
  • Children should also agree to tell parents immediately if they find a website that is inappropriate or if they encounter someone who makes them uncomfortable.

Parents can help kids observe Internet safety rules by keeping computers in a central location. Computers with access to the Internet don’t belong in bedrooms, where more adventurous kids can get to sites that are inappropriate.

Parents can also try the following to promote greater Internet safety for kids:

  • Keep tabs on emails for kids under 13, and make sure kids expect these searches.
  • Look for long distance calls, snail mail or packages to kids from unknown sources.
  • Disable cookies.
  • Read privacy policy agreements on sites children frequent.
  • Know how to use the Internet, so observing Internet behavior of kids is easier.
  • Locate safe Internet search sites for children that will block most objectionable material.
  • Install filters or Internet blockers to avoid accidental search returns of inappropriate sites.

In all, the Internet can be a fantastic place to find information, to be entertained, and to play games. Observing some Internet safety protocol is wise. It helps to protect both adults and children when they’re online.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent EasyTechJunkie contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent EasyTechJunkie contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

AndyBogart

Children who use the Internet are in need of constant supervision. I use parental software, such as keylogger software Refog.Through this program, I have a real-time monitor on the activities of my children on the Internet.

Krunchyman

This article gives some pretty good tips on internet safety, I'm impressed. However, I do have a question regarding this discussion. At what age should parents stop monitoring their children on the web? Obviously, there should always be some level of supervision involved, but on the other hand, the children are going to be on their own sooner or later. This is especially the case when they go off to college.

Viranty

Excellent article that thoroughly discusses several aspects of being safe on the web. Hazali gave some pretty good points as well. Similar to how the article mentions this, always be careful of what you download. On top of that, always make sure to have anti-virus software. No matter how new or old your PC is, it's always vulnerable to malicious downloads and sites, especially without the proper protection.

Hazali

As the article mentions, internet safety is a huge topic, which definitely covers several areas. When on the internet, one thing I think a lot of people need to be careful about is meeting other people online. Some of them could come off as really friendly, and may even decide to have a get together with you. However, this is a path that's completely unsafe. Whether it's you or someone else, the internet can allow people to form an identity that's much different than their real self. Always be aware of those who could ask for your personal information, such as your address and phone number.

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