Nonito G. Jimenez Jr.

BSED FILIPINO II-A

SAFE SURFING TIPS

There are thousands of viruses on the net that can invade your computer. Some cause severe
damage. Some steal your passwords and PIN numbers. Others can turn your computer into a slave
– sending out spam messages on someone else’s behalf. To protect yourself from these and
other risks, always maintain up-to-date virus protection software on your computer. Rocket
Systems can advise you on the best products to use.
Never give out personal information (name, date of birth, home address, bank account details) to
people or businesses you don’t know.
Do not respond to emails and offers from people or businesses you don’t know. Some email
links may lead to sexually explicit or otherwise inappropriate web sites. Also – sorry – but the
email that says you have won a prize in the Spanish lottery is a scam. Remember the old rule –
anything that is too good to be true, probably is.
Never, ever, give your banking or credit card PIN out to anyone. The email that seems to come
from your bank asking you to confirm your PIN number really comes from a phisher who wants to
empty your bank account.
On social networking sites like Facebook, adjust the privacy setting so that friends are the only
people who can see the postings made by you or your children. Some strangers on these sites may
not be who they seem. That friendly Auckland teenager may really be a 50-year-old man.
Never respond to emails or social media messages that are abusive, threatening, sexual or make
you feel uncomfortable. Encourage your children to tell you if they receive any such messages.
Get to know the sites your children use. If you don’t know how to log on, get your children to
show you.
Set reasonable rules and guidelines for your children – especially the amount of time they spend
on-line. It is important that the internet is not allowed to dominate their life – church, study, sport
and play are still very important.
Keep your computer in a family room rather than a child’s bedroom. Get to know your
children’s online friends just as you would get to know their other friends. Discourage use of the
computer late at night or at other times when you cannot monitor its use.

Follow the family rules, and those set by the Internet service provider.
Never post or trade personal pictures.
Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name or location.
Use only a screen name and don't share passwords (other than with parents).
Never agree to get together in person with anyone met online without parent approval and/or
supervision.
Never respond to a threatening email, message, post, or text.
Always tell a parent or other trusted adult about any communication or conversation that was
scary or hurtful.