Explains how to identify and avoid risks online, featuring first-person accounts, technical tips, and advice from experts
Most people on the Internet behave honestly, but there are always some troublemakers. What risks might you encounter online? And what practical steps can you take to keep yourself safe and happy? This book will show you how much privacy you have on the Net, and how you can get more; how to spot common Internet scams, like "get rich quick" schemes and deceptive advertising, and where to look for help if you get ripped off; the "Ten Commandments" of buying and selling personal items on the Net, when you don't know the other people involved; how electronic junk mail and "spamming" threaten to overwhelm us with unwanted interruptions; what every parent should know about the Internet, and the simple truth behind popular "scare stories" about pornography and pedophiles; and the risks of meeting, trusting, or falling in love with people you've never met. With first-person anecdotes, technical tips, and the advice of experts from diverse fields, Bandits on the Information Superhighway helps you identify and avoid risks online, so you can have a more productive and enjoyable time on the Internet.