The internet can be a fun and exciting place where an endless amount of information can be found on virtually any topic. Using the internet and various communications programs (i.e. instant messaging programs, chat rooms, etc.) on your computer can be very useful in studying or completing assignments with classmates, as well as used for socializing and entertainment. Here are a few things to keep in mind while you are surfing the web!

• Never post any personal information on a website or give this kind of information to someone you do not know! Personal information includes: your address (at home or at school), your telephone number (home or cell), social security number, family information, your class schedule, or any other unique information about you. Sharing or posting this information may put you at risk!
  Never plan to meet in-person anyone whom you met online.
• Don’t post pictures or make entries that are in poor taste.  Potential employers might be looking!
• Remember: When online, not everyone is who they say they are. That 19-year-old girl from New York may really be a 42-year-old man from California.
• Be extremely careful when shopping online and using a credit card. Only deal with reputable companies over a secure connection.
• Report any forms of online harassment to the proper authorities. Contact Public Safety at (412) 397-2424 for assistance.
• Be very wary of email attachments! Never open an attachment from an unsolicited email or an email from someone you don’t know. These attachments can contain viruses which may damage your computer.
• Downloaded files from various peer-to-peer (P2P) networks can contain a host of potentially dangerous or damaging components including viruses, ad-ware, spy-ware, etc. Many of these components can be used by others to steal personal information from your computer and may put you at risk of identity theft.
• Always keep your computer protected with anti-virus software (Sophos, Norton, McAfee, etc.) and make sure your anti-virus software is updated regularly. RMU resident students are required to have anti-virus software installed on their personal computers. Sophos Anti-Virus software is available to download for free from the RMU website at www.rmu.edu/sophos
• Always make passwords secure and don’t share your passwords with anyone. To make passwords more secure, make your passwords a combination of letters, numbers and characters (*, &, !, $, etc.) whenever possible. If you must write down your passwords to remember them, keep them in a secure location where only you can access them.