Internet Safety for Adults

The online world continues to evolve, and staying safe requires awareness, strong digital habits, and informed decision-making. Adults face a variety of risks including online scams, fraud, identity theft, privacy breaches, AI-generated threats, and deepfakes that can have serious personal and financial impacts. Knowing how to recognize these threats and protect your information is essential for maintaining security in digital spaces. The tips and resources below will help you navigate the internet safely and confidently.

Tips to Help Protect Yourself and Others

1. Don't provide any information that you don't have to. You should never tell someone highly personal information about yourself, including:
   • The full name(s) of you and/or your children
   • Your home address
   • The name and address of the company where you work
   • The school that you or your children study at
   • Your phone number (for home or work)
     
     
2. Never agree to meet with someone you've met on the internet at a private or secluded place. This includes meeting at your home or theirs. Remember that the person is still a stranger. Meet in a public place.
   
   
3. If you receive any messages that make you uncomfortable, consider blocking that person.  If the messages are threatening, make note of the user's email address or other information, and print out copies of messages previously sent to you. Contact the police, and provide these messages and information to the police.
   
   
4. Realize that people may not be who they say they are. The Internet allows a level of anonymity, and any person could pretend to be someone they're not. 
   
   
5. Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
   
   
6. Keep your devices and software up to date, use antivirus protection, and avoid using public Wi-Fi for financial transactions.
   
   
7. Limit the personal information you share online, adjust your privacy settings, and think carefully about what you post.
   
   
8. Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
   
   
9. Stay informed about emerging threats and current scams buy frequently reviewing the resources listed below. Consider following them on social media so it is easy to see the latest updates. 

For Parents and Caregivers

1. Ensure that your children know that they aren't allowed to send personal information to other people on the Internet, unless it's with your permission. 
   
   
2. Parents need to be familiar with their children's activity online.  Get involved with your child and ask questions about what they're doing and how they're doing it.  Consider checking TV/movie/app guides like commonsensemedia.org if you're not sure about some content.
   
   
3. Establish rules on how computers, tablets and phones should be used. The rules should limit a child's access time and what the child is allowed to do. For example, depending on the age and maturity of the child, you may allow them to surf the web, but only use certain websites or apps.

If you're concerned about what your children have access to, talk to them about it. Explain why you're concerned and consider checking some of the resources listed here to help you getting started.