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Internet Savvy The Internet is a great place to find information, communicate with others, play games, buy items and do a variety of activities. The web has given everyone the opportunity to make whatever they want available to a huge audience. While most of activities you do on the Internet are safe there are some pitfalls that all internet users must be aware of in order to have safe and pleasurable experiences. The information below will outline some of the things that you should watch out for when you use the Internet. |
Evaluating Material on a Web site
It is important to look at the materials you access online critically. While the majority of the material on the net is good, you must be open-minded and make decisions on whether the material you are using is authentic. You should ask different questions. To learn more about this topic go to Evaluating Web sites
Viruses, Bugs and Other Ugly Stuff
Viruses and bugs are programs that are written by hacker that can get into your computer system and do damage to your computer and data that you may have on it. The majority of viruses get into your system via attachments that may be sent through your email or from downloading items from the net. You can protect yourself by following these simple rules:
- Scan all downloads and attachments before opening them.
- Download from reputable web sites. Be particularly aware of downloads from sites such as Kazaa and other sites where you are sharing computers.
- Make sure you update your computer system by downloading appropriate security releases.
- Run a virus check program on your computer regularly to pick up and isolate infected files.
Downloading
As you access the net you will eventually want to download programs, files, music, or movies. Downloading is usually a simple procedure that involves a similar series of steps. It will be clearly indicated that you may choose to download, and you will start the process by clicking on a button that will send you to a download page. You may be asked to provide information such as your name, email address, and address before proceeding with the download. You may also be asked what your operating system is so that the appropriate program is provided. You may also be asked to accept a terms of use statement.
After this preliminary information is provided a download will start. You should see a dialogue box on your screen that will show the progress of the download. Usually a download will be received as a compressed file. In order to use the material that you download you may need to unzip or expand the file. You may have to do this manually using a program on your computer that will decompress the file. However, most often a file will automatically set itself up on the computer and will prompt you for responses to direct the computer where to put the information.
A word of caution: Always be aware of safety issues concerning downloads and only download from sites that are well-known.
Scams
Beware of scams on the net. Remember the rule: There is no free lunch - if it sounds too good to be true, be wary and investigate!! Scammers are very ingenious and it may be difficult to know when you are being scammed.
Spam
Spam is unwanted and unsolicited email that is sent out regularly to your email address. It is really bothersome and can fill your mailbox very quickly. It takes people time to delete spam and can become particularly annoying to the person receiving it. You can stop some of the flow of spam but reporting it to your email host. In order to try and prevent spam from coming into your email, you may want to install a program that blocks spam - commonly known as spam-blockers.
For many people chain letters and pass this on emails are a type of spam. It is common courtesy to ask your friends if they want to participate in receiving this type of email before including them on your mailing list.
Advertising
As you are surfing the net, you are surely to be annoyed by the intrusive use of advertising on many sites. The purpose of ads is to catch your interest and hopefully persuade you to purchase something. One technique used by many advertisers is to offer you something for free in the hopes that you will end up purchasing something from their site. In order to get something you must provide personal information such as your email address, phone number or other information. Remember that once you have given that information, the company can use it to send you unsolicited email and other advertisements.
Many of the ads are in the form of pop-up windows. You can set your browser to block pop-ups, which will decrease the number of ads you see and decrease the loading time of a web page. To find these settings go to the preferences or options section and set your computer settings. Use the Help section of your browser to assist you in choosing the appropriate settings.
Hooked on the Net
Using the net is great, but there are many other important things in life also. Many people become addicted to the net and find themselves spending way too much of their time online, neglecting other important things in their life. Remember to maintain a balance in your lifestyle.
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Page Last Updated:
April 12, 2006 10:58 AM
