Keeping Your Identity Safe and Private

You're already on the internet 24/7 ... but it just gets worse when school's in session. You've got to check on homework, talk to classmates, research assignments ... there's no avoiding that you're going to be online quite a bit. And you're not alone.

The sad fact is that there will always be people out there trying to get information about you. Most will use it to try to sell you something, but a small percentage will try to steal your identity, or worse. You have to learn to keep all information about yourself private, even information like your e-mail address that you think might not say much about you.

For example, say you post a school e-mail address online somewhere, and it has your first name in it. Your school's web-site might have a directory of students, so suddenly someone can find out your full name potentially, your school's name and address, and that you live nearby. A quick search in the same zip code might get them your street address.

Yeah, the web can be a scary place if you're not careful. But it can also be pretty safe if you follow some easy rules.

Keep Your Information Private

Never give out your name, address, phone number or e-mail address to someone you don't know. This includes never posting any of that on a message board or in a chat room, where anyone could see it.

Don't Meet

Never agree to meet someone you met online. You might like the internet being anonymous when you bash some movie on the director's website, but it also means that guy who just posted on your myspace page could be 45.

Keep Your E-mail Address Impersonal

If you do need to use an e-mail to register for a website, for example, use a free service like aol, aim or g-mail to create an e-mail address that doesn't give any information out about yourself, like your name, school or age.

Keep Your Whereabouts to Yourself

Don't post information about where you might be, when you're going to a movie or anything that might give an internet stalker information on how to find you.

Be Suspicious

Don't fall for a sympathetic ear ... predators will often come off as compassionate and willing to listen, but it's designed to pull potential victims in. If you do need a real sympathetic ear to talk to, there are hotlines set up for just that purpose.