Internet safety rules

A 19-year-old running for public office in New Hampshire found out about the importance of following Internet safety rules the hard way.

Unsafe surfing can also lead to other threats—from embarrassing personal comments or images that, once online, are nearly impossible to erase, to getting mixed up with people you’d rather have had nothing to do with.

The Top 10 Internet safety rules

• 1. Keep Personal Information Professional and Limited
• 2. Keep Your Privacy Settings On
• 3. Practice Safe Browsing
• 4. Make Sure Your Internet Connection is Secure. Use a Secure VPN Connection
• 5. Be Careful What You Download
• 6. Choose Strong Passwords
• 7. Make Online Purchases From Secure Sites
• 8. Be Careful What You Post
• 9. Be Careful Who You Meet Online
• 10. Keep Your Antivirus Program Up To Date

Internet Safety Tips for Children and Teens

• Personal Information. Don’t give out personal information without your parents’ permission. Just because someone asks for information about you does not mean you have to tell them anything about yourself!
• Screen Name. When creating your screen name, do not include personal information like your last name or date of birth.
• Passwords. Don’t share your password with anyone but your parents.
• Photos. Don’t post photos or videos online without getting your parents’ permission.
• Online Friends. Don’t agree to meet an online friend unless you have your parents’ permission.
• Online Ads. Don’t buy anything online without talking to your parents first.
• Downloading. Talk to your parents before you open an email attachment or download software. Never open an attachment from someone you don’t know.
• Bullying. Don’t send or respond to mean or insulting messages.
• Social Networking. Many social networking websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Second Life and MySpace) and blog hosting websites have minimum age requirements to signup.
• Research. If you use online information in a school project make sure you explain where you got the information.