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Tips for
Safer
Instant
Messaging |
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Be Careful
when
creating a
screen name.
Each IM
program asks
you to
create a
screen name,
which is
similar to
an email
address.
Your screen
name should
not provide
or allude to
personal
information.
For example,
use a
nickname
such as
Bunny
instead of
Bobby.
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Never
provide
sensitive
personal
information.
For example
credit card
numbers or
passwords,
in an IM
conversation |
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Create
a barrier
against
unwanted
instant
messaging.
Do not list
your screen
name or
e-mail
address in
public areas
(such as
large
Internet
directories
or online
community
profiles) or
give them to
strangers. |
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Only
communicate
with people
who are on
your contact
or buddy
lists. If
you decide
to meet a
stranger
that you
know only
from IM
communication,
take
appropriate
safety
precautions.
For example,
do not meet
that person
alone, (take
a friend or
parent with
you), and
always meet
and stay in
a public
place, such
as a café. |
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Never open
pictures,
download
files, or
click links
in messages
from people
you don’t
know. If
they come
from someone
you do know,
confirm with
the sender
that the
message (and
its
attachments)
is
trustworthy.
If it’s not,
close the
instant
message. |
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Don’t send
personal or
private
instant
messages at
work. Your
employer
might have a
right to
view those
messages. |
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If
you use a
public
computer. Do
not select
the feature
that allows
you to log
on
automatically.
People who
use that
computer
after you
may be able
to see and
use your
screen name
to log on. |
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Monitor and
limit your
children’s
use of IM.
When you’re
not
available to
receive
messages, be
careful how
you display
this
information
to other
users. For
example, you
might not
want
everyone on
your contact
list to know
that you’re
“Out to
Dinner.”
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