Stay Safe Online!

I’m On A Shared Computer

You should be careful what kind of information you share when you’re on a shared computer. Everything can be traced. You don’t want someone hacking into your Facebook account, or an abusive partner/family member finding out you are looking for help.

I don’t want anyone to know I’ve been to this website.

If you think someone might be upset or put you in danger if they know you have visited this website, here are a few tips. You can do a few things:

  • Delete your browser’s cache. Your browser is the tool you are using to surf the net (like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome). The cache has files recording where you have gone. To delete this, go to your browsers Tools or Internet Options or Preferences, and clear your cache.
  • Erase your history. Your browser keeps a history of URLs you have visited. Do the same thing to find and delete your history.
  • Log out! Don't forget to log out of any online account you have logged into.

My Facebook Profile (or Hi5, or Myspace)

Be careful what personal information you put on the internet about yourself. You never know who is reading it – it could be your teacher, parent, or a boss.

Privacy School!

Watch this video from YouthPrivacy.Ca about putting your personal info online:

What is personal information?

It is any info about you. It is your name, where you go to school, your pictures, what kind of music you listen to.

Why is it a problem to put this on the Net?

Because you can never really control who is looking at it. Putting your personal info online can make it easier to connect with friends. But your teacher or professor could be looking at that photo of you drinking, smoking, or dancing with your friends. You might not want some people knowing everything about your life.

Remember that what you post online, stays there forever. Even if you remove it.

Don’t think you’re leaving a trace? This chart shows you when and how your personal info is collected, analysed, and sold every time you interact with someone on the internet, or in real life.

I don’t want to erase my profile – What should I do?

  • Try to make your information private, whenever you can. Most websites like Facebook and Hi5 let you decide who can see your profile.
  • You can also try to limit what kind of info you put online. A good guideline is asking “Would I show this to my grandmother?”, or any other person you respect and whose opinion can affect your life.
  • Check who is adding you as a friend – make sure they are actually someone you know. You can just ask them in person to make sure. If you don’t know the person in real life, don’t add them!
  • Ask friends before you post things about them, or post and tag their pictures online.