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Topics: Internet Safety Basics, Cybercrime Basics, Email Safety, Home Computer Security, Malware, Infectors, Privacy, Fraud, Scams, Hoaxes, Identity Theft, Children Online, Piracy, Internet Safety Education, Reporting Cybercrime

INTERNET SAFETY BASICS

Internet Safety Guidelines - Internet Safety is mostly everyday common sense applied to the tools of the internet. Here are some basic guidelines to help protect yourself, your business and your family against fraud, infections, viruses, identity theft and other online dangers.
The 4 Basic Rules of Internet Safety - Avoid the pitfalls of the internet by knowing the fundamentals of how to protect yourself and what to avoid. Should every internet user follow these four basic internet safety precautions, the instances of online crime would diminish considerably.
Use the Internet Properly and Safely - The internet offers so much convenience and any opportunities. Be sure you are using this wonderful tool properly and safely, protecting your children and your electronics from viruses and infectors.
The Importance of Passwords - This article explains how to create strong passwords when online in order to protect yourself from identity theft and other online dangers.
Personal Family Questions about Internet Usage - Every family connected to the internet through any electronic communications device including computers, cell phones, webcams or online video games must set standards and supervision for all family members. These questions are what families should ask themselves when children are connecting to the internet in order to ensure they are protected against online predators and security threats.
Internet Safety Basics for Teachers - It is the complex role of a teacher to nurture, promote and protect the educational interests of students. Internet safety is now another concern.
Cyberdating: Stay Safe - Many people are turning to the internet for their love life. There are a few things to keep in mind when cyberdating. Read this article to stay safe when participating in online dating.
Community Organizers Pay Attention - Community organizers have a unique opportunity to encourage internet safety. Take advantage to promote safety on the internet.
Broadband Should Be the USA Telecom Standard - Broadband should be an option for all Americans. Today, the internet is available to every American as long as there is a telephone line. However, the quality of the individual internet experience varies immeasurably. Where’s the national standard?
Etiquette and Messaging - Messaging using your phone or computer is convenient. Be sure you know these basic rules of netiquette.
Protect Your Cell Phone - As electronic devices are continually being developed, each poses a different security risk. The more electronic gadgets we use, the more we need to be aware of personal safety. This article explains why cell phones have the potential to pose as great a security risk as home and laptop computers.
Electronic Disposal - Find out how to properly discard electronic devices.

CYBERCRIME BASICS

Cybercrime Defined - What is cybercrime? Any crime that can be committed in reality can also be committed online. Some examples are child pornography, theft and vandalism. Learn the many ways you can be in danger on the internet and how to protect yourself.
Are Cybercrime Laws Uniform? - You may think the penalties for breaking into a home or car (personal property) and breaking into a home computer or laptop (personal property) would be the same at the same geographic location. Not necessarily.
Cybercrime Laws Vary - This article provides examples of countries with laws that deter and/or punish particular cybercrimes, not all countries consider certain types of online scams or crime illegal.

EMAIL SAFETY

Safety with Email - Learn some basic email safety in order to avoid spam and protect yourself from fraud, identity theft, or other malicious programs that can be installed through email. The signs of trouble are also detailed so you'll know when you've been a target.
Identify and Avoid Spam - Everyone has been annoyed by spam email. How can you identify and avoid spam? Read on to find guidelines to avoid the menace.
Spoofing Easily Explained - Impersonating an email sender's identity is known as spoofing and can result in annoying and even dangerous spam emails. Learn how to protect yourself with encryption software.

Computers are Tools - This article explains how computers and the internet are tools that can be used for good or bad purposes.
Basic Home Computer Security - This article discusses simple preventions and remedies to avoid basic risks associated with the home computer connected to the internet.
Limit Access to Your Home Computer - There are 3 basic kinds of entrance ways to the home computer. Each home computer user needs to know how to protect themselves by limiting access to unauthorized requests. This article explains.
Five Most Common Risks with a Home Computer - Describes the five basic security risks associated with the use of a home computer connected to the internet.
Encryption and Firewalls for Home Computer Use - Highlights the features and differences of the kinds of internet protection software available to the home computer user and explains the reasons all are needed.
Reasons for Hacking the Home Computer - This article defines hacking as a crime and compares it to everyday activities. Your home computer could be at risk from a hacker.
The Reason Deleted Files Are Still Available - Deleting information on your home computer doesn’t mean the information is gone. It doesn’t even mean that it can’t be brought back. Find out where deleted information hides in this article.
Knowledge-Based Authentication - Knowledge-Based Authentication is based on generally vague questions that no one except you should know your unique answers. Unfortunately, we can unintentionally provide the answers online. So, if we answer the questions with nonsensical answers, we have a better chance of our logon information remaining private.

MALWARE

Botnets - With so many unprotected computers and electronic devices roaming the internet everyday, new pawns regularly seem to replace the computers and devices disconnected from the botnet. Are you allowing your computer or electronic device to be used as a pawn in a criminal botnet scheme?
The Differences Between Adware, Spyware and Malware - Every internet user should know how to avoid and be aware common safety threats. Learn the differences between adware, spyware and malware.

INFECTORS

Symptoms of Computer Infections - Tips for identifying the most common symptoms of an infected computer caused by viruses, worms, Trojan horses, infectors, and more.
Kinds of Computer Infections - Read a detailed explanation of the worm, virus and Trojan computer infections and learn what you can do to protect yourself from these nasty viruses.
Limit the Number of Computer Infections - It is not difficult for the home computer user to limit the number of computer infections when updated anti-virus and anti-spyware software is regularly used. This article explains.
Computer Infectors and Spam - The business relationship between virus authors and spammers is becoming more and more lucrative because of botnets. Internet users should be aware of basic internet safety practices.

PRIVACY

Anonymity and the Internet - If you’ve ever wondered why some internet users prefer to remain anonymous while using the internet, here are your answers.
Online Privacy for Americans - 7 Simple Steps to Protect Your Online Privacy and Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before Giving Your Personal Information
Privacy of American Employees - Do you know how much of your workplace correspondence and internet activities can be monitored by your employer? This article tells you where to look.
Backround Search - Finding and keeping employment is difficult enough with the present condition of the world economy. So, no one needs inaccurate information in a background check that can prevent getting or keeping employment.

SCAMS

Scams: How to Recognize and Avoid Them - Scams are as varied and diverse as people. This article explains the deception and lies with different kinds of scams.
The Methods of Con Artists - Con artists are sneaky, underhanded and friendly. This article explains how they find and prepare targets for voluntarily surrendering their money or property.
The 4 Features of Advance Fee Scams - By recognizing the four key features of Advance Fee scams you can protect yourself from identify theft or more. Don't trust "free" gifts or other forms of online fraud.
The 5 Rules to Avoid Business Opportunity Scams - Employment scams on the internet are many and dangerous, and can be delivered directly to your inbox. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don't be taken in by fraudulent franchises and business opportunities. Be aware of the potential indications that it is a scam.
Charity Scams - It is important to be able to recognize illegitimate charities and their advertisements. This article explains how.
Consumer Finance Scams - People typically become victims of consumer finance scams when the mainstream channels for borrowing money, establishing credit or finding a job haven’t been successful. This article will help you recognize the scam offers.
Contractor Scams - Most contractors servicing your location are legitimate and respectable. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous individuals who try to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners. This article will tell you how to protect yourself and what to watch out for.
Counterfeit Check and Money Order Scams - Counterfeit check or money order scams are tricky. Just like every other scam, they prey on human vulnerabilities by dangling the hope of changing whatever needs changing in the consumers' life. Protect yourself by recognizing and avoiding these internet plagues.
4 Indicators of Credit Repair Scams - Recognize a credit repair scam by these four indicators.
Avoid Online Education Scams - When considering our education it is very important to earn, not buy, our degree from an accredited school. There are no shortcuts. This article explains how to sort through information to discard offers from non-accredited schools.
Diet Scams -Advertisements claiming quick weight loss results with little or no work are selling a product or service to make money, not to provide a product or service that is helpful to people trying to lose weight. This article will help you recognize diet scams.
Foreclosure Recovery Scams - Have you considered an offer that begins with something like Guaranteed to Stop Foreclosure. We can save your home!? Don't. Avoid these heartless scamsters who prey on consumers' emotions and desperation.
An Introduction to Investment Scams - Recognize the main indicators of possible investment scams. Be safe online, don't trust everything you read on the internet.
The 4 Highlights of Lottery Scams - Lottery scams are very lucrative schemes for criminals. This article explains how to recognize and avoid the scam.
Recognize the Fraud in Miracle Cures - Recognize and avoid advertisements that sensationalize the miracle cure scams.
Nigerian Scams - Protect yourself from the online threat of Nigerian scams by never surrendering your money or financial information to anyone who requires money before they can deliver the exorbitant promise in exchange for your little effort.
Overpayment Scams - What is an Overpayment Scam? Identify and protect yourself from this online threat that preys on your logic and need for the job, customer or item.
Phishing Scams - This article explains how to recognize potential phishing scams. Often legitimate looking email spam that deceives you into revealing personal information.
Corporate Spear Phishing - Phishing scam artists that target wealthy individuals are whaling or spear phishing. Recognize and avoid these invasions of your personal and financial information.
Ponzi Schemes - The majority of participants in a Ponzi scheme lose their money. Know how to avoid these tricky offers so you won’t waste your time or money.
Pyramid Schemes - Pyramid schemes can be tricky to identify. This article explains how they work and what to look for so you won’t waste your time and money.
Social Security Scams - Social security scams deprive recipients of much needed money and peace of mind. These phishing and identity theft scams are vicious. Do you know how to recognize them?
Spam Employment Opportunities - Recognize and know that you are giving your permission for a spam-employment opportunity.
Work-At-Home Scams - Work-at-home scams require you to pay an up-front fee for nothing in return. This article will explain how to recognize and avoid them.

HOAXES

Identify Hoaxes - Hoaxes are mind-boggling. The hoax author uses a tiny bit of truth, a lot of misinformation and half-truths, and twists the information out of proportion in an elaborate jumble to dare your intelligence. Can you recognize them?
Chain Letters - Chain letters sound like an awfully wonderful idea but the reality is not as pleasing. This article explains the reasons.

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft - These articles explain how to recognize, avoid and handle identity theft.
Credit Freeze Laws - How can credit freeze and security breach notification laws vary? How they can they help protect you from identity theft? Here is some information that you should know to prevent identity theft.

CHILDREN ONLINE

Protecting Children Online - Everyone wants children to stay safe. This series of articles explains the importance for parents, educators and caregivers to relate internet activities to everyday activities.
The 5 Things Parents Should Remember - Children are vulnerable to many online dangers and do not always understand the magnitude of these threats. At the very minimum, parents should remember these five things about maintaining the personal safety of children online.
Children Play in the Cyber Yard - This article explains how children are just as vulnerable to crime online as they are in the everyday world. Children are at risk when surfing the internet because they may not understand the risks involved. Parents should be responsible for teaching their children safe online practices to prevent the risk of online predators and other dangers.
Know Your Children's Online Friends - One of the distinguishing features of the teenage mindset that typically makes parents nutty is the attitude that the individual teenager is invincible. Parents need to supervise all internet friends of children, especially with chatrooms, cell phones and social networking communities. This article explains.
Proper Uses of Filtering Software - This article explains the uses, features and limitations of filtering software.
Online Predators - An introduction for parents, educators and caregivers to understanding how a child predator can find your child online.
Cyberbullying - Chances are you've heard a lot about cyberbullying recently. So, what does it mean? There are numerous ways a cyberbully can harass their victims, through email, text messaging, etc. Learn more in this article.
Sexting: Flirting or Child Pornography? - Children view sexting as a kind of flirting. American federal law views sexting as child pornography. How do parents cope with their children sending or receiving nude images of themselves or their friends?
Social Networking Communities and Children - An introduction to understanding the world of social networking communities, examples of these being MySpace and Facebook. What parents should know to make sure their child or teen is making wise decisions when on the internet.
Teenagers and Online Drugs - Illegal drug dealers offer drugs or tobacco on the street corner and on the internet. Are you sure your teenager isn’t involved?

PIRACY

Piracy and the Home Computer - It is natural to want to share music and movies online, however make sure you are doing this legally. There are four main types of software piracy: counterfeiting, internet piracy, retail piracy and over-installation.

INTERNET SAFETY EDUCATION

Good Citizen, Unmeaning Criminal - Every internet user will at sometime or other will be tempted to inadvertently break the law online. Let’s try to avoid the most common instances.
Educating Ourselves and the Professionals - Computer users know they should practice internet safety procedures but do we discuss this with and educate our families regularly? What about lawmakers, the courts and law enforcement? This article offers some suggestions.
Monitoring Software is Legal Spyware in the USA - Spyware and malware in the form of Monitoring software is legal in the USA when used for certain purposes such as when another's safety is involved, namely a child or an employee.
Schools Need Backing from Parents - Parents and schools should be partners in the learning process of safety practices for young people. Lessons without reinforcement or practice aren’t learned. This article explains.
Wash Your Hands - There can be an increased risk of spreading germs and disease through shared computers, keyboards and peripherals because it seems not too many people think about the infectious agents they can distribute or receive. Solution? Wash Your Hands.
Gossip Online - We all know gossip is around and can potentially circulate faster than the front page news. But, do we know where to draw the line before the gossip develops into harassment, cyberbullying, racism or even a hate crime?
Internet Users Should Accept Responsibility - The internet can be as wonderful and as dangerous as the everyday world. Each individual and business needs to protect themselves through awareness of potential hazards. Safety basics remain constant while technology changes. This article pleads for acceptance of personal responsibility related to internet safety.
Think Before You Click - We preach safety procedures to our children everyday. Now we need to preach safety procedures to ourselves. Think before you click.

REPORTING CYBERCRIME

Reporting Cyberbullies - The line between a prank and abuse can be fuzzy. This article will explain how to decide if the online situation needs to be reported to law enforcement.