The Internet can be a great tool, but there are dangers associated with being online. The list below defines a range of internet terms and provides suggestions for protecting yourself online.
- Blogs: These are online journals that people use to share their thoughts on anything from hobbies to government. Some blogs are associated with news media and have paid writers, but most are personal blogs by individuals. Teens and kids should use caution when posting personal, identifying information on their blogs that can be read by predators.
- Chat rooms: Web sites where users can instantly message one another. These are often themed to unite users who have the same interests. Remember, any chat room that attracts kids or teens also attracts predators. You should never give information about yourself to anyone you meet in a chat room.
- Cyberstalking: Predators who come across you in a chat room may follow you to other chat rooms by tracking your user name. They will slowly accumulate more information about you by reading what you are chatting about with other people online. They may even obtain your email address through a profile or chat and start sending you inappropriate or threatening emails. If you believe someone is stalking you online, tell your parents so they can contact your ISP provider.
- Instant Messaging: Programs that allow users to maintain a list of contacts and chat with these contacts in real-time. When a user logs in to their computer, their Instant Messaging group is often notified that they are online.
- Online Auctions: Sites like EBay and others allow you to sell merchandise online directly to other individuals, typically for a small fee to the Web site. While this can be a great way to unload unwanted stuff and make money, you should beware of scams. Seller should use caution with foreign buyers and payments via check, especially if the check is made out for more than the amount of the item. In addition, predators may use contact information you provide in your listing to track you down.
- Online Profile: These are online biographies with web sites where you enter information like your real name, birthday, address, contact information, hobbies and school. These profiles are meant to help you learn more about your friends online, but unfortunately predators use this information to gain your trust or manipulate you. In addition, you should not believe the profiles of others because it is easy to lie. The 14-year-old girl you think your chatting with could actually be a 50-year-old man. Filling out these profiles is not required to use most chat programs. To protect yourself, only fill out the profile on sites where you can control who has access to your information.
- Social Networking Site: Sites like MySpace, Classmates and others can be great tools to keep in touch with old friends and meet new people. Unfortunately, these sites also attract predators. Remember, anyone you meet online may not be who they seem. Whenever possible, make your profile private and only allow people you know to view your information.
- Spam: Junk emails that are annoying and potentially dangerous. If you receive an email from an unknown source with an offer that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t give your personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited email to protect yourself from identity theft. If you receive an email asking for help getting money out of a foreign country, don’t respond, don’t give them information and don’t pay them any money. The best advice is to delete email offers from unknown parties. Clicking on “unsubscribe” may only serve to identify your email address as active to the sender.
- User Name / Screen Name: This is an identifying name you give yourself when participating in Instant Messaging or Chat Rooms. Screen names can be a gold mine of information for cyber predators about your identity. Most people choose screen names that are familiar and easy to remember, including information about their hobbies, pets, name, school, age or favorite band. Predators can then use this information to find your or try to gain your trust. It’s best to choose a screen name that’s just a random combination of words rather than a descriptive identifier.
- Viruses: You may unknowingly download a harmful computer program that can wreak havoc on your machine. Make sure to use anti-virus and anti-spyware software and a firewall. Update them all regularly. To protect your computer from viruses, don’t click on any links in emails from sources you don’t recognize. Be careful opening attachments you are not expecting, even if they appear to be from friends. Also, don’t download software from a site you do not know and trust.
- Webcam: Personal cameras that allow someone online to view video of you. Webcams are the next best thing to an in-person meeting for a predator. By allowing people to view your Webcam, you are giving strangers a window into your home. Predators will use what they see to take advantage of you, and they may record the video to post it online or to use against you in the future. Accepting an invitation to view the Webcam of a stranger could expose you to disturbing sexually explicit material.