Internet Safety

General Safety Tips

• Be careful about giving out personal information on the internet in chat rooms, public postings, e-mail, etc.

• Do not give out credit card numbers on un-secure sites. NEVER use credit cards for ID or age verification.

• Do not post personal profiles in public messaging systems.

• Use caution when someone you meet online wants to meet you. Until you are certain of an online acquaintance, restrict contact to e-mail, chat rooms, or public postings.

• Never pay money to get money. These are usually scams.

• Do your online shopping from a reputable business. 

  E-mail Safety

• Change your password often. Utilize passwords that incorporate both numbers and letters.

• Do not share your password. Don't write it down and leave it lying around next to your computer.

• Never open attachments from unknown sources.

• Invest in good anti-virus protection software and use the latest version of your browser to ensure you have the latest security features.

• Do not reply to unsolicited (spam), harassing or offensive e-mail. You should save the offensive material and forward a copy to your e-mail provider or the customer service department of the offensive e-mail.

Scams

Be wary of the following scams and others:

• Business Opportunities: (get rich quick schemes, work at home schemes, pyramid schemes, chain letters, sending bulk e-mail, etc.) - these offers make it sound like it is easy to earn a lot of money without much effort, and of course, a "small" investment. If it sounds too good to be true...it probably is.

• Health and Diet:- miracle cures, herbal formulas for weight loss, scientific breakthroughs related to burning fat, secret formulas, etc.

• Investment Opportunities: - promises of high returns and no risks, promises of being privy to inside information, Ponzi Schemes (like a pyramid scheme in which early investors are paid with money from later investors, but as you invest more you will lose your money).

• Loans and Credit-loans regardless of credit history, easy term scams, credit repair scams, etc.