Protecting Your Privacy!

Social networking sites seem like a fun and easy way to connect with old friends, relatives and maybe even meet new people but as harmless as they seem, they could potentially put you at risk. As teenagers, we may not think of the consequences of what we make available on the web, until they happen. More often than not, we overlook the little details that could become dangerous for us such as personal information. Mainly because we think that although we are posting it online, it will still remain private. However, hardly anything on the internet is 100% private. This is why it is important to use the internet cautiously. We can do so by following these simple tips!

1. Never give out personal information! If you must only use your first name and the initial of your last name! Especially to people you barely know or have just met on the computer.
2. Don’t trust anything you see online! If you think something sounds suspicious 9 times of 10 it probably is! Many sites claim they are safe, but in reality those security precautions could be an imitation.
3. Try not to use Internet Explorer as much as possible; because it is the most used browser, it is more prone to internet thieves. Other browsers such as firefox are not 100% either, but it is proven to be more safe due to the fact that less people use it.
4. Don't get tricked by spammers! Don't fall for it, don't reply to them. IGNORE THEM. Even if it is just to tell them to remove you from their list because you'll only find yourself in the list of more spammers.
5. Always think twice about what you post, publish or share online! Just because it says delete, doesn't mean it has been permanently deleted.

The internet can be a a useful tool for many jobs and is quite entertaining. Following these tips will make surfing the web more enjoyable and will save you from the hassle of identity theft and much more risks. Just remember these tips to make your internet experience safe and fun!