Hang Ten Tips for Online Safety

1. Never accept a friend request if you do not actually know the person. Your privacy settings mean nothing if you let strangers be your friends.

2. Do not post anything on the internet you would not want your parents, grandparents, teachers, friends, or employers to see. Once it is out there, you can never take it back.

3. Do not give out your personal information - ever! There is never a need to pulicly post your address, phone number, or other identification numbers. These types of information can help criminals steal your identity or lead them to your location.

4. Avoid gossip. Everyone is bound to get excited by those oh-so-dramatic high school scandals, but you don't have to text or post the latest rumor for everyone you know to see. Half of the time, these things are not true anyways and before you know it, you could be the subject of these rumors. Just stay out of the drama!

5. Torrenting copyrighted material. Just don't do it. It may seem harmless, but it is illegal. Companies randomly go after people and sue them, sometimes for torrenting just one song or game. You could be next - so just buy your music, games and videos. That is a whole lot cheaper than fighting a corporate lawsuit...plus, it's just the right thing to do.

6. If your Facebook profile is not set to private and you like to "check in" places, remember that even the creepiest people out there now know where to come and find you. In fact, if your profile is open to the world, everything you say and post is available to the creepies and the fraudsters. Keep your settings on friends only, please.

7. Be wary of links you come across on Facebook posts, e-mails or websites. These can often lead to spyware, viruses, or phishing. If you do not know who sent the link or if the website is not credible, don't click. Remember,  curiosity killed the cat.

8. Never arrange to meet someone you met online and do not actually know in person. Even if they have sent you pictures and it seems like no big deal, the person could just as easily be 20 years older and out to harm you.

9. Never respond to any kind of message asking for a password, social security number, account number, or other personal information. No credible company would ever ask you this information in an e-mail or message.

10. Committing harm, intimidation or threats online (just like in person) is now a felony that carries a sentence of 2 to 10 years in jail. Cyber-bullying ruins lives, causes tremendous hurt and fear, and sometimes even ends in death. Be the bigger person by standing above the drama and don't be afraid or embarrassed to seek help when you or someone is the victim of any kind of bullying.