Internet is perhaps the largest pool of information and one of the largest communication platforms. Emailing, social networking and blogging have served as some of the most efficient means of reaching out to the masses. Search engines are lighthouses tracking the oceanic information base of the Internet! Connecting people around the world, the Internet has made this world a smaller place to live.

However, with an increase in the Internet use, concerns for Internet safety have risen. This wonderful resource for information and communication can turn out to be a dangerous networking platform. Hackers trying to hamper Internet privacy and security are a threat to the Internet users. The practice of gaining unauthorized access to confidential user data is on the rise. The unethical practices like phishing and spamming are annoying email users. Fraudulent behavior on the Internet is inviting Internet scams and Internet crime is escalating. It is high time that we took strict measures for safety on the Internet. Let us take a look at the rules for Internet safety.

It is not advisable to give out your personal information without confirming the validity of the request. It is dangerous to leak your confidential data without confirming its authenticity of the website.

While social networking, it is not advisable to communicate with strangers. It is also not advisable to upload personal photographs or videos to social networking sites that lack privacy settings. Social networking sites should serve as platforms for a healthy exchange of information and not as a stage for unethical practices to spread.

Dealing with password security is an integral part of Internet use. Websites providing you with mail services, as also the websites supporting Internet banking and other electronic transactions require you to sign up to them; and that implies the use of username and password. A password should be designed such that it is difficult to guess yet easy to remember.

We often use the Internet for downloading music and videos. We download attachments from emails. While doing so, we risk computer security. Downloading from sources you do not trust, can prove dangerous for your local computer. Downloading from unauthorized sites raises ethical issues like copyright, piracy and netiquette.

Chatrooms are virtual rooms where people exchange views by means of chatting over the Internet. As people can openly communicate, a chatroom has become one of the most popular destinations of Internet buffs. But, chatrooms can prove to be unsafe for kids and teens. A chatroom exposes the user to strangers who may intend to exploit him/her. They also expose children to pedophiles and pornography. Predators participating in chat sessions may compel kids to take to unethical and illegal practices. They may force the kids to leak out sensitive information and use it against them. It is better to keep an early check on Internet use by children and youngsters, so that circumstances do not worsen. Browse through Internet safety tips for kids.

Children are most vulnerable to fall prey to the dangers of the Internet. They may disclose confidential information. Strangers may communicate with the children and lure them to ill practices. The information on the Internet is uncensored. Children tend to believe in everything they come across. Thus, if parents do not keep a check on the Internet use of their kids, Internet exposure may hamper their kids' mental and social well-being. For this, it is important for the parents to be computer-literate and efficiently guide their kids through this ocean of information and expression, the Internet.