Lesson 2 - Rules of Netiquette

• Online security, safety, and ethics

• Internet threats
• Protecting reputations online
• Copyright
• Contextualized online search and research skills

Online Safety and Security

The Internet, truly, is a powerful tool. It can be used to promote your business, gain new friends, and stay in touch with
the old ones. It is also a source of entertainment. But like most things in this world, there is always “another side of the
coin.” The Internet is one of the most dangerous places, especially if you do not know what you are doing.

Internet Threats:

1. Malware – stands for malicious software

Types: Virus, Worm, Trojan, Spyware, Adware
2. Spam – unwanted email mostly from bots or advertisers. It can be used to send malware.
3. Phishing – Its goal is to acquire sensitive personal information like passwords and credit card details.
Types of Malware:
• Virus – a malicious program designed to replicate itself and transfer from one computer to another.
• Worm – a malicious program that transfer from one computer to another by any type of means.
• Trojan – a malicious program that is disguised as a useful program but once downloaded or installed, leave your
PC unprotected and allows hackers to get your information. * Rouge security software.
• Spyware – a program that runs in the background without you knowing it.
 • Adware – a program designed to send your advertisements, mostly as pop-ups

THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK

1. Before you post something on the web, ask these questions to yourself: Would you want your parents or grandparents
to see it? Would you want your future boss to see it? Once you post something on the web, you have no control of who
sees your posts.
2. Your friends depend on you to protect their reputation online. Talk to your friends about this serious responsibility.
3. Set your post to “private.” In this way, search engines will not be able to scan that post.
4. Avoid using names. Names are easy for search engines to scan.
5. If you feel that a post can affect you or other’s reputation, ask the one who posted it to pull it down or report it as
inappropriate.

TIPS TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

The internet is a public place and it is up to you to protect yourself.

1. Be mindful of what you share online and what site you share it to.
2. Do not just accept terms and conditions; read it.
3. Check out the privacy policy page of a website to learn how the website handles the information you share.
4. Know the security features of the social networking site you use. by keeping your profile private, search engines
will not be able to scan your profile.
5. Do not share your password with anyone.
6. Avoid logging in to public networks/Wi-Fi. Browsing in “incognito (or private) mode,” a feature of the browser,
will not protect you from hackers.
7. Do not talk to strangers whether online or face-to-face.
8. Never post anything about a future vacation. It is similar to posting, “Rob my house at this date.”
9. Add friends you know in real life.
10. Avoid visiting untrusted websites.
11. Install and update antivirus software on your computer. Use only one anti-virus software to avoid conflicts.
12. If you have a Wi-Fi at home, make it a private network by adding password.
13. Avoid downloading anything from untrusted websites.
14. Buy software; do not use pirated ones.
15. Do not reply or click links from suspicious emails.

COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

If you create something-an Idea, a form of literary work, or a research, you have the right of how it should be used by
others. This is called Intellectual property.
Copyright Law
As a responsible user of the Internet, you have to consider that not everything out there is free for you to use.
Here are some tips that could help you avoid copyright infringement:
1. Understand. Copyright protects literary works, photographs, paintings, drawings, films, music, choreography,
and sculptures, but it generally does NOT protect underlying ideas and facts.
2. Be responsible. Even if a material does not say that it is copyrighted, it is not a valid defense against copyright.
3. Be creative. It is important to add your own creative genius in everything that will be credited to you.
4. Know the Law. There are some limitations to copyright laws.
 Copyright only last a lifetime (of the author) plus 50 years
 “Fair use” commentaries, criticisms, teaching, and education etc.

Tips in Conducting Online Research

1. Have Question in Mind - You should focus on a question you want answered.
2. Narrow it down - to easily determine the most appropriate results for you.
3. Advance Search - the best way to filter information you get from search engines is by using the advanced search.
This will allow you to filter out information you do not need.
4. Look for credible sources – you should always check the credibility of the sources of information.
5. Give Credit – you should always give credit to the original author of the page or information.