Sites such as MySpace.com and Facebook.com let you share information about yourself in profiles that help you connect and communicate with other people who have similar interests or hobbies.
Remember, the information you post to your profile can be seen and used by anybody.
Once you put something online, you can never take it back. People can use something you put online in ways you never intended it to be used.
In reality, people are sometimes not who they say they are on the Internet. They may lie about their age, gender and interests to gain your trust.
[quote style=”2″ author=””]Think twice before you post personal information and pictures in social networking sites. Once you put something online, you can never take it back.[/quote]
Peer-to-peer or P2P software lets you share files on your computer with other people on the Internet. These files can contain videos, music, pictures, documents and software.
Videos, music and software are mostly copyrighted materials, which you cannot legally share, copy or use without the permission of the copyright owner. In its original version, these materials will include the word “copyright” or the © symbol.
Just because you can access something on the Internet does not mean that it is legal to copy, download or use it.
When you mashup files, whether to create a funny YouTube video or when researching a homework project, you need to understand Fair Use and Copyright Law.
Files do not always contain what you expect them to. Instead of the content you want, a file may contain a virus. Once the virus is on your computer, it may be too late to prevent or undo the damage. For example, a file may install spyware on your computer.
[quote style=”2″ author=””]Just because you can access something on the Internet does not mean that it is legal to copy, download or use it[/quote]
If you want to learn more about networking safely and being a good Cybercitizen, check out the following websites. You can even become a mentor to your peers.