Safety Tips for the Internet
Safety Tips from the American Library Association & the Webmaster
Tips for Easing Your Fears:
The Internet is a global network of information networks accessible with a computer. Entertainment, education, and information are all at your fingertips. You can visit the world's great libraries, play a game, and even check the weather and sports scores.
The vast majority of internet sites are perfectly safe. But the virtual world contains some sites with sexual, violent, and other content that may not be appropriate for children. This means that you should be alert and aware of some of the risks.
Fact: The vast majority of Internet sites offer legitimate, helpful and educational information. Less that 1/2 of 1 percent contain sexually explicit material.
Guidelines For Parents:
The best way to ensure your child's safety on the Internet is to be there. Just as you teach your child rules about dealing with strangers outside the home, you must provide rules for communicating online. Remember that personal computers should not be used as electronic baby-sitters.
Teach your children to be wise consumers in Cyberspace. Not everything they see or hear may be true. Some sites may be true, or they may be trying to sell you something.
If you have a home computer, a number of software programs are available to block Web sites you may not want your child to visit. Since no filtering system is 100 percent effective, this software is no substitute for parental guidance.
What you can do to defend yourself:
Always use anti-virus software such as Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus or McAffee Anti-Virus.
Always keep your browser up to date. Internet Explorer can be updated at the Internet Explorer Website. Mozilla browsers such as Netscape or Firefox can be updated from the Mozilla Website or the Firefox Website.
If you should decide to shop online, be sure you do so from sites that you know. Also, on the browser, at the very bottom right, or left depending on your browser, be sure that the image of the lock is in the "locked" position. This ensures that the website you are visiting is a secure and encrypted site.
Only open e-mail's from people that you know. Unsolicited e-mail, also known as SPAM, can contain malicious scripts or viruses, causing possible harm to your computer. Never open attachments included with e-mails. Viruses sometimes e-mail themselves out to anyone on the infected computers address book. This means that just because the email comes from someone you know, the attachment in the email may include a virus which was mailed without the sender knowing. In conclusion, please remember that a little money here and there on added protection and security now can save you a bundle of money later on costly repairs.