With all the advantages that the internet brings into our daily lives it also brings many perils and security issues. While credit card fraud is a problem, a bigger concern is personal safety. Following some basic (and fairly obvious) guidelines or rules can help to ensure that you and your computer remain safe!
These guidelines for internet safety are divided into two sections, one about personal safety and the other about the safety of your computer.

Personal Safety:

1. Don't give out personal information such as:
   • Home addresses;
   • Home telephone numbers;
   • Work addresses or telephone numbers; and
   • Name and location of schools
2. If you find information that makes you feel uncomfortable:
   • Tell your parents; or
   • If you are an adult, leave the page/conversation
3. Don't meet people you've met online in person. If you do take extreme care:
   • Ask your parents for permission
   • Tell someone (parent, relative, close friend) when and where you are meeting the person and how long you expect to be
   • Meet in a public place where other people can see you, eg: a shopping mall; and
   • Ask a friend, relative or your parents to go with you
4. Do not give out your passwords for any type of website under any circumstance (except to your parents for safekeeping)
5. Ask your parent/guardian permission before:
   • Sending someone online a picture of yourself; or
   • Sending your email address to someone online

Computer Safety:

1. Keep your antivirus programs up to date
2. Don't download, programs and software from websites that you do not trust.
3. Download files from the source, eg: if downloading a program being distributed by Microsoft only download it from the Microsoft website.
4. After downloading files always check them with antivirus software.
5. Don't open emails that have been sent from people or email addresses that you don't recognise. If you've just given someone online your email address ask them if they sent the email if you think it may be from them before opening. If you share the email account with family, ask them if they know who has sent the email - if no one does delete it - you can always apologise and ask the person to resend the email if it turns out to be someone you know.
   An email containing a virus can't install the virus on your computer, "infect your computer" until the file is opened.

Sources:
These rules are reproduced, taken and adapted from:
1. The brochure Child Safety on the Information Highway by Larry Magid. © 2004 National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
2. Safekids.com © 2005 Larry Magid