Broadband Guide

Internet Safety Tips

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Internet safety (‘safe surfing’) might be an issue for you if you’re thinking of getting broadband for your home computer. Let’s face it; the internet isn’t well policed, lots of con artists use it as a money-making tool, and the nature of websites means that every type of information is available to anyone who wants to find it (and lots of people who don’t).

These are the most common internet safety concerns people have:

1. My children will be targeted by dangerous adults in chat rooms
2. My children will be exposed to unsuitable websites
3. My personal details will be freely available to other internet users
4. I’m worried about my computer getting viruses

1. My children will be targeted by dangerous adults in chat rooms

There are many solutions to this internet safety issue. The cheapest and easiest way to prevent your child from becoming a victim is to educate them on safe surfing: they should never give out personal details, arrange to meet anyone in person, and always ask for help if they feel uncomfortable. A recent government initiative succeeded in getting safe surfing messages across to 40 per cent of children, and any responsible chat room will encourage internet safety. If you’re still concerned, you can buy software that will restrict access to certain chat rooms or control how long your children spend on the internet. Take a look at www.ThinkUKnow.co.uk and www.Childline.org.uk/SafeSurfing.asp for more information.

2. My children will be exposed to unsuitable websites

Unfortunately, even if they’re not looking for them, web surfers can sometimes be targeted by pop-ups and emails from adult websites. To avoid this, you can install pop-up blockers and spam blockers. You can also buy parental control software that ensure internet safety by filtering emails, controlling downloads and blocking certain types of website. Many broadband providers include parental controls in their broadband packages - for instance, AOL can control internet access by age group, so that children are allowed more freedom to roam the internet as they grow older.

3. My personal details will be freely available to other internet users

Any website that requires you to give personal details such as credit card or bank account numbers should be completely secure. To check whether a site is secure, check that any page that asks for your details has https:// at the start of its address. If it shows http:// it is not secure. All bank and building society sites should be secure, and most major shopping websites are. Many smaller sites cannot afford internet safety measures – if you’re concerned, you can usually choose to pay over the phone or in person.

4. I’m worried about my computer getting viruses

Any internet user should install virus protection software (such as Norton AntiVirus), and a firewall is a must for broadband users. A firewall is a virtual wall between the user and the internet, which ensures that websites cannot have any connection to you if you don’t want them to. It is the most effective internet safety measure in terms of viruses. You should also avoid opening email attachments from addresses you don’t recognise.

If you choose your broadband provider through Broadband Choices, you’ll be given all the information you need about every supplier – including details of the internet safety measures included in each broadband package. To choose a provider, go to our comparison calculator.

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