Be Safe on the Internet!

The Internet has revolutionized the way we acquire information. At the touch of an icon we can have information on any topic in seconds. It is every user’s dream. The researching of a project, finding out football scores, looking up a favourite recipe and reading a book are all possible via the Internet. But as terrific as it is, the Internet can be a nightmare! There can be serious consequences if one does not pay attention to security while using it. It is a haven for criminal activity. Unsuspecting users can fall victim to bank account fraud, stolen identities, harassment or even kidnappings to name a few.


To be safe on the Internet one needs to be “web smart” it does not require any sophisticated skill just a few "golden rules" as outlined in Lewis (2009) will do. These are:

1. Do not give personal information online. This includes your name, address, telephone number and picture to name a few.
2. Protect your system with anti-virus software to guard against viruses of all types.
3. Create a firewall for your computer. This will prevent users you do not know from accessing your computer.
4. Never open e-mail attachments from unknown addresses. Again, this is to guard against viruses and online criminals.
5. Disconnect from the Internet when you are not using it. Another anti- virus practice.

6. Always back up your data on a CD or USB stick. This is important in case your computer crashes. All of your data will be saved.

So colleagues let’s remember to practice the “six golden rules” and be safe on the Internet!


Reference
Lewis, G. (2009). Bringing technology into the classroom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.