Definition of Internet Safety

Internet safety, sometimes referred to as digital safety, on-line safety or cyber safety, is a relatively new concept that has grown with advances in the Internet. There are many aspects to Internet safety. Broadly, the term refers to practices and precautions you should observe when using the Internet, so as to ensure that your personal information and your computer remain safe.

Personal Information
Internet safety means protecting your personal information while on-line. Details such as your address, full name, telephone number, birth date and/or social security number can potentially be used by on-line criminals. On-line fraud, including identity theft, is increasing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported national losses of $560 million in 2009, more than double that of 2008.

Of course, sometimes it is necessary to provide personal details, for example when shopping on-line. GetNetWise.org recommends only using websites of reputable companies, reading the site's privacy policy and only giving out information absolutely necessary for the purchase, such as a shipping address and credit card number. Never give out passwords, pin numbers or your bank account number.

Social Networking
Internet safety has become an important concept for users of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. In social networking application, the term is closely linked to privacy. Whilst sharing information is central to social networking, setting boundaries, such as limiting who can view your profile and photographs, has become common safe practice. This is to protect you not just from identity thieves, but also from stalkers and sex offenders, who have in rare cases used the sites to target victims.

Children
Internet safety has particular application when it comes to children's on-line activity. Children require protection from unsuitable content, paedophiles and cyber bullies. Many ISPs have parent control options to help block out pornographic or violent material; however, these are not 100-percent effective. KidsHealth.org recommends parents closely monitor their child's on-line time, while also educating them about on-line dangers and Internet safety measures.

Email
Internet safety also applies to email use. Phishing is common type of on-line scam where criminals send official-looking emails in an attempt to con the user into revealing details that may be used for identity theft. Emails can also contain viruses. WiredSafety.org advises changing your password often and never sharing it, refraining from opening attachments unless they have been through an anti-virus program, remembering to log off, especially when using a public computer, deleting all emails from unknown persons and never replying to spam.

Your Computer
Internet safety also means taking precautions to protect your computer. Adware, viruses and spyware can crash your entire system. It is important to install virus protection software and a firewall and to check for updates regularly. It is inadvisable to download free software on-line unless you are certain it is from a respected company. This is because many free programs are a front for delivering adware and spyware to your computer.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6577504_definition-internet-safety.html

What Is Internet Safety?

Internet safety is an important part of anybody's life who uses the World Wide Web daily. Everyone should be informed so that users know the signs of what to look for as well as how to protect themselves as well. Children are easy targets for Internet predators and should be educated as well as monitored when online. By staying informed and properly protected, you can keep yourself from being the next victim of a vicious virus or Internet predator.

Identification

Internet safety is using caution and common knowledge to keep away from the dangers of being online. Internet safety is important for the entire family-especially if you have small children who have access to the computer. There are precautions that you and your family should take to make sure that everybody is protected when using the Internet. When online, if any user starts talking with you asking about your location, usual hangouts, or schedule, then you should probably leave the chatroom or ignore that chatter. Also, websites that don't have an "https://" within the url when you are purchasing an item are probably not safe places to enter personal information such as credit cards or your address as well.

Features

Computer software offers features that can help protect you from viruses, Internet hackers, possible predators, and any other dangers. Programs like NetNanny or K9Protection (see resources) are programs that can allow you to block out certain websites and only allow a computer to have access to the Internet at certain time intervals. These are very useful to households who have children. Those types of software can block chat rooms, message forums, adult oriented websites, and other websites that you would rather your children not have access to. There are also antivirus programs such as McAffee or Norton that can block harmful viruses from entering your computer as well.

Benefits

Without internet safety as a part of your household routine, there can be some serious effects. If children are allowed to speak in chat rooms and would unknowingly give out personal information, they very well could be the next victim of an Internet predator. Just by finding out if a child is a participant in sports, or if they have a favorite park that they attend, a stranger could find her very easily. Without anti-virus software installed on your computer, it could be open to Internet hackers that could steal your personal information such as bank accounts, credit card numbers, and even your home address or telephone number.

Misconceptions

At the beginning of the "Internet Revolution," it was intended for the Internet to be a safe place in which others could access useful and educational information. It was never meant to be harmful to individuals. Many younger users don't realize that there are strangers who surf the Internet looking for prey. Without common knowledge and safety education, young users can be misled into thinking that a computer is always a safe tool to use and communicate with.

Prevention/Solution

Internet safety is very important and can be a significant tool to have in every school, household, library, and any other place that the internet is accessed. Keep information posted about predators around computers that have access to the Internet. Young school children should be educated about the uses of the World Wide Web, and how to safely surf and find the information that they need. Even colleges and libraries should have additional classes about online safety. As long as everybody stays informed about Internet safety, the web can be a more fun and safe place for information access as well as personal entertainment.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_4605879_what-internet-safety.html