Smart In Cyberspace

Have you ever wondered if downloading free software or entertainment is safe? Have you thought where all that trash mail and chainletters come from? Have you been cyberbullied? You've come to the right place! Here in this blogpost I will be discussing some of the issues of being online and giving tips for a balanced life in the public environment of the internet.

Spam

- Commercial messages or any other email you have been sent without permission.
- Spammers collect email addresses from chatrooms, people's network profiles, or sometimes they just guess right.
- Spammers send the messages to everybody and they are usually tricky or way too good to be true.

Malicious Software - Malware

- Spam can include malware which is software made to destroy your files or steal private info.
- Free animations, movies, or screensavers, etc. may hide malware!

Chainletters

- Messages that may contain jokes, sad stories, etc.
- They tell you to send the message forward to everyone on your list and if you don't they threaten you and say something bad will happen to you.
- Some chainletters have gone through the internet for years.

Phishing Private Information

- Phishing is people trying to get your private information.
- They are messages that ask you to update your data on a bank account, email address, etc.
- On the message there's a link that takes you to a site that looks exactly like the original and asks you to give your private info.

Not so tasty Cookies

- Computer files from sites you've visited.
- By one number they identify your computer, browser, operating system, internet service provider, and any private identity info you have given to the site.
- When you visit a site, a cookie records the day, time, and how long you stayed.
- The next time you visit the cookie reads your chosen settings.

Aggregate Data

- Information usually got by cookies.
- Owners of a website use this info to see how they can improve the site to get more people to visit, sell more, or how moch to charge advertising.
- This data can't reveal individuals.

Third Party

- Party means a person or a company.
- The visitor of a site is the first party, the site owner the second party, and any other person or company involved is the third party.
- A sites privacy notice should tell the visitor if the site contains a third party.

Anonymity

- People think they are anonymous online which means they cannot be identified.
- Some people do stupid things in the internet because they think they're anonymous so they won't get caught.

Cyberbullying

- Bullying or being mean to one another through cell phones or the internet.
- Some kids can get over cyberbullying but sometimes cyberbullying makes teenagers feel angry, sad, or afraid.
- When mean things are being said through the internet it's hard to know if it's serious or not.
-Cyberbullies are usually people who feel stronger when they're putting someone else down but they are'nt still strong enough to do it face to face.

• In order not to get spam, don't share your personal email address on sites that anyone can see it.
• Don't reply and don't even read spam so the spammer won't know your address is live.
• Simply delete spam and any other email you don't want.
• Think twice before downloading free software or entertainment because it might hide malware.
• Only download from sites you trust.
• Don't open files attached to chainletters because they might be harmful to your computer.
• Break the chain!
• Don't fall for phishing!
• When a site asks you to save your password, don't accept! It's a cookie!
• Think before accepting cookies. Remember, they collect aggregate data.
• Read a site's privacy note to make sure if there is a third party involved.
• Don't do/say things in the net you wouldn't do or say face to face. You are never completely anonymous online.
• If you're ever cyberbullied or feel uncomfortable chatting with someone recognize it and act:

Don't reply to a bully.
Block their messages.
If you want to, save the bully's emails for evidence.
Leave the website and sign off the computer.
Talk with a supportive friend.
Talk with a parent, teacher, or any other trusted adult.

• Remember, the Internet is a public environment. Anyone can see what your doing.
• Don't upload pictures of you or info you wouldn't show to a stranger.
• Balance the internet in your life. Don't be online too much.
  
• Discuss with your parents what would be an appropriate time in the internet each day.
  
• Be responsible yourself. If being online starts to bother your school or social life limit the time.