Never Give All

By Julianne Rowat

Everyone is on the internet now days, and millions are using social sites. With all the internet stalkers out there how do you keep yourself safe?

People need interaction on the internet, for fun and for online home business. Using Facebook is a great social site, you can post your pictures, tell about all the fun you had on vacation, tell all about your business, so with all this how do you keep it private?

Privacy Policies
Facebook has a privacy policy that you can create, and only those you give access to can see your profile, pictures and other personal things you post. When using Twitter, yes it is the most public social site, but you can still click on, protect my updates, that way only people following you will be able to see them.

Nothing is totally safe when it comes to the internet. Their are hackers out there that do nothing but try to destroy peoples computers and lives by stalking them. If you ever have an outing with someone, make sure you change your settings by blocking them, you never know what might happen if they were made angry.

When posting, do not get carried away by saying where you are. Like, here I am still waiting in line for the concert to start, then give details. Never post that you are going on vacation and how long you will be gone, that is a sure way to have your home broke into. There are some things that just should not be shared!

A lot of people use Craigslist for selling something. If you have a couch or bicycle for sale, and the person buying wants to come over and pick it up, make sure someone is with you, or meet them by a busy shopping mall. Never have them come over while you are alone.


Use Google
Another good thing to do is make sure you get their full name, then Google it. See what comes up and sometimes you can even find out what they do. Get their phone number so you can search it, always call them back to see it the number is legit.

If you feel that you are being stalked by someone on the internet, then Google your own name. You can go to Google.com/alerts and it will tell you if your name or phone number is ever being mentioned in a blog post. It might be more difficult if you have a name like John Smith, as you will get a faulty feedback, but you should know if it is about you or not.

Be very careful when opening emails from someone you do not know. It could literally wipe out your computer with a nasty virus. If your email comes with an attachment, never open it, unless you for sure know the sender. There is a delete button for a reason, and it should be used!

Start using your firewall, most computers have built in firewalls, make sure it is turned on. Having a firewall will protect hackers from getting into your computer and finding out your passwords. Especially important if you do online banking.

Always turn your computer off when not in use. The internet is a two way street, and if left on, can allow hackers easy access. By disconnecting it, it can lessen the chance of anything bad happening.


Never Give All
Remember to never give out your full name, address or phone number to someone you do not know and trust. The use of social media sites is also used by hackers and stalkers that think it is just simply fun to invade peoples private lives.

So whether your use social sites for personal or for your online home business, just beware there are bad people on the internet just as there are on the streets. Your parents taught you to never talk to strangers, well on the internet never give out all your information and you will stay safe.