Meghan Christensen

SLM-521

Elective #5

6/27/09

Protecting Your Privacy Online

 

            This world is changing rapidly with our everyday use of technology. You can contact whoever you want with a click of a button. This can also be a dangerous. If too much information is provided about you, anyone with an internet connection could find it and see it. Before getting online, read the following list about protecting your privacy when you are using the internet.

 

  1. HAVE YOUR PARENTS’ PERMISSION BEFORE GETTING ONLINE.

 

  1. Be aware that when you send an e-mail to a family or friend, other people might be able to see it too, so don’t write too much information about yourself.

 

  1. Make sure you know who an e-mail is coming from. If you have a funny e-mail you want to forward, know that everyone will have your e-mail and may forward it to their friends.

 

  1. If you need to create a username and password for a program, create a name that won’t show the world who you are. Make up a name that doesn’t use your name. Create a password that would be hard for people to guess. Do not use your name or birthday for a password; these will be easy for others to find out.

 

  1. Watch out for contests or notices saying that you won something. This is just for the business and chances are you aren’t going to win anything. That business just wants your name and e-mail address so that they can make money by giving that information to other businesses online.

 

  1. Do not open or reply to spam mail. This is e-mail that is trying to get your information. If you respond to spam mail, then that person has your e-mail address and will continue to send things to you.

 

  1. If you ever want to buy anything online you must ask your parents permission first. Remind them to make sure it is a secure site. That means that their credit card information can not get out to other people. If other people get your parents’ credit card information they can use your parents’ money to buy what they want. They are basically stealing money from your parents.

 

  1. Some friends may want to chat online or you may want to play a game online where you can talk to the other players. Never ever give out personal information. Even if friends are online, they know your name. When you say your name or where you are from, other people may hear or see that and it could be dangerous. Playing and chatting online can be fun but in order to keep it fun you can not give out information about yourself.

 

  1. When using Facebook or Myspace, make sure you have the security settings on. Only your friends should be able to access your page. Still you need to realize that people can get through these security systems to look at people’s pages. Like before, do not put your address or any personal information up that you wouldn’t want the world to see.

 

  1. Make sure to let your friends know that you do not want information about yourself posted on their web page. Nowadays, people can put up any picture with anyone in it and blog about anyone they want.