InternetSafetyTipsForElementaryandMiddleSchool.pdfVIP

Internet Safety Tips For Elementary and Middle School Students, Educators and Families 1. Be a safe and responsible cyber citizen. If you use the Web, e-mail or chat online, then you are a cyber citizen. Just like being with people face-to-face, use good manners when you communicate online. Obey laws and rules your parents and schools make to help you stay safe when using your computer. Keep yourself safe. Do not give out personal information such as your address, telephone number, parents’ work address/telephone number, or the name and location of your school without permission. Tell your parent right away if you come across any information in cyberspace that makes you feel uncomfortable. 2. Tell your family to protect your home computer. Use anti-virus software and a firewall. Never allow a stranger to use your home computer. Viruses can sneak into computers from the Internet and hurt or destroy information. Using anti-virus software is necessary to guard against computer viruses. Make sure that anti-virus software is up-dated regularly. Other software on your home computer should also be updated because the manufacturer may release new security protection “patches.” Firewalls create a “wall” of protection between your home computer and the Internet by stopping anyone who might harm your computer or steal your personal information from it (bank and credit card information, for example). Your home computer may already contain firewall software. If so, check to make sure it’s being used. Firewall hardware and software is also available at most computer stores. Never allow strangers to access files on your computer. File sharing can allow others to infect your home computer with a virus, and allow others to look at the information on your computer. 3. Do not open an email from someone you do not know and trust. If you don’t know and trust someone who has sent you an email, the best thing to do is delete it quickly. Computer viruses can spread t