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Ethics & Professional Responsibility: Internet Safety

Online Privacy & Internet Safety

Choose from the drop-down menu under the tab above or follow the links below to find tips, guidelines, websites, films and books to help you understand the importance of internet safety.

  • What is Internet Safety?
    Learn about the importance of internet safety and how it may affect your online activities
  • Protecting your Privacy Online
    Tips on how to protect your privacy on the Internet with links to helpful websites and books in the LLC print and digital collections
  • Books, Films & Articles
    Find links to recommended books, articles and films from the LLC's print and digital collections

Privacy & The Internet

New technologies, such as mobile communication and the Internet, allow you to access information, shop, bank, watch films, and communicate from almost anywhere in the world.

There are, however, a number of downsides to information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Perhaps the most dangerous implication is loss of privacy.

Almost every time you use the Internet there is a digital mark left behind that can be tracked through both legal and illegal means.

Follow these links to learn more about privacy on the Internet:

Tips For Protecting Your Privacy Online

Follow these guidelines to secure your personal and financial safety when interacting in online environments such as the Internet:  Username and passwords, profile settings, personal information, access and public places.

Username and Passwords

There are several precautions you should consider when selecting usernames and passwords.

Most importantly, do not share your username or password. Try to memorize both your username and password rather than write it down in a place it could possibly be found.

Create a username and password that would be difficult for a third party to guess or understand.

For example, do not choose a password that includes or contains any personal details such as your given name, age, or birth date.

Profile Settings

Social networking websites such as Facebook and LinkedIn allow you to customize and change the settings that determine how the information you enter and upload is displayed, used and retrieved online.

Go to the user guide or help section of these websites to understand the settings and adjust them accordingly.

To ensure the settings work properly, try searching your name using a standard search engine such as Google or Bing.

Personal Information

Do not give out details such as your name, age, birthday, address or phone number to individual Internet users in settings like chat rooms or on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

When filling out online forms -- such as surveys, email listservs, or payment details for shopping sites -- make sure that the website is reputable, legal, and secure.

Access and Public Places

Remember to log out of all websites, internet browsers and applications, especially when you are using a computer or cell phone in a public place such as the library or an Internet cafe.

Privacy and Safety Videos

Keck, N. (2013, May 17). Proof Snapchat doesn’t delete your photos [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPHsM9gXOnYv=xPHsM9gXOnY

TEDxTalks. (2011, December 1). All your devices can be hacked [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=metkEeZvHTg