Safe Surfing

The internet is a big wonderful place, it covers the good, the bad and the ugly! It can be a bit of a scary place though, and if you are not careful it can be dangerous. We really recommend the "thinkuknow" website (link on the right), they cover pretty much everything you need to know on staying safe on the internet. Have a look, it's worth it. To help you steer through the internet here is a list of top tips to make sure you stay safe and avoid the pitfalls!

Safe surfing top tips

1. If anything sounds too good to be true, it usually is, so avoid it.

2. Do not give your personal details out to anybody.

3. Don't chat with strangers - people on the Internet can pretend to be anyone or anything they want.  

4. E-mail safety - never open up any e-mail, attached files or web pages, that you receive from people you don't know. If it looks suspicious or odd, delete it without opening it, or ask your parents to look at it first. It might contain a virus that can damage your computer.

5. Passwords are a secret, so don't give out your passwords to anyone. Keep it with you like you would keep a secret of your friend.  

6. Clone websites - they look like the real thing, but they aren't. They just want you to enter your details and will then steal them.  Have you ever had one of those stupid annoying messages on myspace? Someone probably entered their details on a clone website, now the person who stole the details can log into their account and send rubbish!  It is even worse when it is an online bank account .  Watch out!

7. Fake friends - on sites like facebook, myspace and bebo, don't add friends that you don't actually know.  There are some strange people in the world, and even more online!

8. Odd messages - if you get an odd message, don't reply to it.

9. Never arrange to meet anyone that you have met online.

10. Never give out the following: full name, home address, phone number , passwords, names of family members, credit card numbers or bank accounts.

11. Cyberbullying or bullying messages sent to you online - these might be from former friends or other people you know. They can be irritating and, in some cases even frightening.  If you get these bullying messages online, it's often better to ignore them rather than answer them. Cyberbullies, just like other bullies, may be angry or disturbed people, and may be looking for attention or a reaction.  Get help from a parent, school counsellor, trusted adult or use websites like www.childline.org  or www.textsomeone.com

12. A golden padlock and the letters https:// before a website address mean the site is secure.  This is especially important if you are shopping on-line and using your bank or any other personal details.

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