Safety Online

Let's be honest, lots of students spend a lot of time on the Internet, whether it's chatting on messenger, speaking to people with skype or just browsing because you're bored. You should always use your common sense when it comes to surfing and chatting online.

Top Ten Online Safety Tips

1. You should never give out personal details to anyone, especially other members of social web sites and online chat rooms. This particularly applies to your home address and phone number. You wouldn't do it in a bar. Why do it on the Net? Use a nickname instead.
2. No matter how 'official' or genuine companies or individuals might sound in an email to you, never give away any of your personal passwords or login details. So called 'phishing' for bank and other details is becoming increasingly popular.
3. Don't give your credit or debit card number out online unless you're sure it's a secured site. You can usually tell this by looking at the bottom of the screen for a little 'lock' icon and the address bar should start https://
4. If you don't want to have your personal details and email address sent to hundreds of greasy porn and ad sites, make sure you read the fine print on ALL online forms you fill out. Ensure that your details will not be sent to third parties.
5. Meeting someone that you've chatted to online can be risky. We strongly recommend that you don't, ever. But if you're still absolutely convinced and undeterred by media coverage of kidnappings and abuse and worse, ensure that you meet in a public place, like a bar or a coffee shop. Then it's easier to make your excuses and leave if you feel the need or feel uncomfortable.
6. Similarly, do not invite people to your home or accept an invitation to theirs until you feel you know them well enough to do so.
7. Tell someone where you are going and who you are meeting. Give them a phone number as well. It may seem excessive but it can't hurt to also let them know what time to expect you home.
8. Better still, take some back-up. A little moral support from a good friend never hurt anyone. The person you are meeting should understand your concerns about safety, and often you can all meet in a group to make the meeting not only safer, but possibly more fun.
9. Take your mobile phone. Ensure it's fully charged and it's never a bad idea to have the number of a couple of reliable cab companies programmed in, whatever the situation. Some people ask a friend to call them at a pre-arranged time, just to make sure that everything is going smoothly (and to give you an excuse to get away if it isn't).
10. If someone begins harassing you online, don't respond. Doing so will only egg them on. If it gets really bad, seek advice from your service provider, your college or university, a trusted friend or relative or, in serious situations, the police.