Internet Safety and Secutiry
The Do's and Dont's
The Internet:
The Internet is without a doubt one of the best resources available to us. Unfortunately it’s also extremely dangerous if you aren’t aware of who and what lurks behind the scenes. Everyone should know how to be safe when surfing the web, but internet safety tips and tricks are spread out all over the web without a go-to resource. Since the majority of internet scam and virus victims are students and young people, I've created this flyer to help when you may be unsure of certain internet activity. Internet safety and security is not only important at school, but also when using the internet at home.
General Safety Rules
It’s always good to be cautious while on the internet. There are people in the cyber world who want to do harm to you or your computer.
These are some good tips to keep in mind while you are surfing:
Be careful about what you put on the web.
It’s on there forever and can be used to trace back to you at any time.
Keep track of who you interact with on the internet.
Some people may not be who they seem to be.
Know that privacy is just an illusion.
Even personal information on social networks can be easily recovered by anyone.
Don’t open any links in emails or chat rooms that look suspicious or unfamiliar.
Also, never open any strange files that your computer may have downloaded from an email or a website.
Make sure you have good antivirus and firewall protection.
These will help in blocking unwanted webpages or emails and scanning your computer for potential risks. Be sure to scan your files often to detect any viruses that may have gotten into your computer.
What Not to do:
It is easy to get caught up in the advancements of todays technological generation. Just because there is so much information and resources available to you, does not mean that they are all good for you. There are also things you should not do when using the internet.
You should not:
Download files from unknown websites.
These files may contain viruses or Trojans that can effect the way that your computer runs and can access personal information stored on your computer.
Give any personal information to anyone or any website that us not secure.
You can most always tell if a website is secure if it has an https:// before the web address in the address bar. But you should still always be weary of entering personal information online.
Send or acquire any information that you wouldn't want your teacher or parent to see.
This can help you protect yourself when tempted by all the information that is available through the internet. Ask yourself, "Would I watch or look at this if my teacher/parent was sitting beside me?"