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| Addiction | Privacy |
| Beginners | Email Matters |
| Scams & Hoaxes | Search Engines |
| Buying Online | Internet Access & Hosting |
| Children | Domain Names |
| Safety | Viruses |
| People Search (Finding Them) | CyberLaw |
A few places for worried families to look for guidance:
On-Line
Gamers Anonymous
A virtual 12-step program aimed at helping gamers and their families battle game
addiction.
Center for Internet Addiction
Recovery
Educational information about Internet addictions, online support group, quiz
for those who suspect an online gaming addiction.
Aspen Education Group
Information about how
wilderness therapy may help the gaming addict.
Avoiding Viruses (Consumer-SOS)
Cheap Computer
Repairs Done Online
Got a computer problem? These guys will fix it on the cheap. They avoid house
calls because they remotely access your computer on line.
Being Street Smart On The Internet (Basics For The Rank Beginner)
Traveling in Cyberspace? Be Savvy!
Spotting & Responding To Commercial E-mails
Safety On The Internet
(Oklahoma Police Dept.)
Tips, Suggestions and links on matters such as Internet romance, protecting
children, avoiding scams, chain letters and on line ordering.
Doing Research On The Web (Internet Search
Engines)
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Scams
Internet Scams To Trick You Into Revealing Your Password & Personal Data
So, you got a message to click on this link or your email account
or credit card will be canceled in 30 days. Well it could be a trap!!!!!
And you could be directed to a bogus look alike website made to trick you into
giving up your password, credit card # or other personal information.
Spotting Internet Hoaxes (Consumer-SOS)
Top 12 Scams Most Likely to Arrive Via Bulk Email
Internet Crime Complaint Center
IFCC offers a central repository for law enforcement regarding Internet fraud,
works to quantify fraud patterns, and provides timely statistical data of
current fraud trends.
National Fraud Information
Center
Where to report internet and other types of fraud.
See Consumer-SOS/Scams & Cons
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See Consumer-SOS/People Search
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Free Browser Add-Ons
That Increase Privacy Without Interrupting Your Work Flow
Ghostery
and
Do Not Track Plus prevent Web sites from relaying information about
you and your visit to tracking companies. These add-ons also name the companies
that were blocked from receiving your data.
Smart Strategies To Help Protect Your Privacy Over The Internet
Clean
Your Computer Tracks-Privacy Tools
Freeware that deletes Internet cache, spyware, etc. and erases your deleted
files for good.
Web Surfing Anonymously
Those Web users who wish to to avoid having their identity known can easily use
services like www.anonymizer.com
or www.safeweb.com.
TOR
Individuals use Tor to keep websites from tracking them and their family
members, or to connect to news sites, instant messaging services, or the like
when these are blocked by their local Internet providers. Tor's
hidden services let users publish web sites and other services without
needing to reveal the location of the site. Individuals also use Tor for
socially sensitive communication: chat rooms and web forums for rape and abuse
survivors, or people with illnesses.
Removing Viruses Trojans Adware and Spyware (Consumer-SOS)
For tough, hard-to remove viruses, trojans, spyware and adware.
How To Bypass
Compulsory Web Registration (Bugmenot.com)
Get the news articles you want, without the Spam. Bypass the login of web sites
that require compulsory registration and/or the collection of
personal/demographic information (such as the New York Times). Gives you a list
of passwords and login ID's to use so you don't have to register.
André Bacard's Privacy Page
Scroll down for privacy websites, advice on surfing anonymously and getting rid
of cookies.
See Consumer-SOS/Privacy &
Identity Theft
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Email Matters
Spam Porn and Privacy Concerns (Consumer-SOS)
Avoid spam, keep anonymous and more.
Sending Large Files Too Big to Email
MailBigFile (Free, Up to 300
Megs)
If the recipient’s firewall blocks them from getting your message, just send
them a regular email with the link generated by mailbigfile, for example
http://mbf.me/guUT. For many
files, first zip them into one big file. No need
to install any software!
YouSendIt (Free-Up to 100
Megs)
Got a file or video too big to email but less than 100 megs? If you dislike
installing free software, try YouSendIt. This is a Web-based secure digital file
delivery company, which lets users securely send, receive and track files on
demand. It is an alternative to sending large e-mail attachments, using FTP, or
sending out CDs or DVDs by mail or courier. Good for single files or a
bunch of zipped files less than 100 megs. No need to install any software!
Instructions:
1. Sign
up for free at
https://www.yousendit.com/litesignup;
2. Put in your email address and recipient(s);
3. Click on Send now and follow instructions (before uploading, you may want to zip many files into one)
4. Recipients click on link emailed to them and can copy the files to their computer
DropBox
Got a CD's worth of files you want to email someone? Then use Dropbox. Dropbox
is a Web-based file hosting service that uses cloud computing to enable users to
store and share files and folders with others across the Internet using file
synchronization. Their free service offers 2Gigs of space. Only drawback is both
people must have an account and download their free software.
Good for lawyers who want to instantly send large files to clients, experts,
vendors or opposing counsel.
Junk Email
Getting Less Junk E-mail
Using Two or More Email Addresses To Avoid Spam (Consumer-SOS)
Avoiding Spam-How
To Bypass Compulsory Web Registration (Bugmenot.com)
Get the news articles you want, without the Spam. Bypass the login of web sites
that require compulsory registration and/or the collection of
personal/demographic information (such as the New York Times). Gives you a list
of passwords and login ID's to use so you don't have to register.
Free Browser Add-Ons
That Increase Privacy Without Interrupting Your Work Flow
Ghostery
and
Do Not Track Plus prevent Web sites from relaying information about
you and your visit to tracking companies. These add-ons also name the
companies that were blocked from receiving your data.
Internet Pornography (Consumer-SOS)
Spotting & Responding To Commercial E-mails
Avoiding Viruses (Consumer-SOS)
André Bacard's Privacy Page
Scroll down for privacy websites, advice on surfing anonymously and getting rid
of cookies.
For More Help, See Privacy
Using Two Email Address To
Avoid Spam
Use one email address solely for your friends and the other email
address for everything else. Tell your friends never to submit your address to
e-invitations or to a web page so it can be forwarded to you. These groups may
sell your address to junk mailers.
Give your non-personal email address to creditors, professional organizations, on line subscription groups and everyone else other than your friends.
Specific Filters To Block Their Viewing (Consumer-SOS)
The Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (FTC)
Kids' Privacy On The Net (Website With Good Links)
Safety On The Internet
(Oklahoma Police Dept.)
Tips, Suggestions and links on matters such as Internet romance, protecting
children, avoiding scams, chain letters and on line ordering.
Child Protection Hotline
(800) 843-5678
When someone makes an unwanted overture to a child.
Pointers On Safe Surfing
On The Web (Missing Kids.com)
See Consumer-SOS/Children
Safety On The Internet
(Oklahoma Police Dept.)
Tips, Suggestions and links on matters such as Internet romance, protecting
children, avoiding scams, chain letters and on line ordering.
Avoiding Viruses (Consumer-SOS)
See Children
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Buying Online
Tips
On...Cybershopping - What You Need to Know
(BBB)
Problems
With Online Purchases (FTC)
The Applicability Of FTC Law To Internet Advertising
Cyber Squabbles: Where Do You Sue?
(Nolo.com)
Where to file a lawsuit when you have a dispute with a Web-based business and going to court is your only
remaining option.
Protecting Your Financial Privacy in
Cyberspace (BBB)
The Low Down On
Late Internet Shipments (FTC Article)
National Help Orgs For A
Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance, The
Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.
See Consumer-SOS/Refunds, Replacements & Repairs
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Free Internet Access
Free Internet (Consumer-SOS)
Find a free Internet service provider.
Free Or Low Cost Web Hosting (Consumer-SOS)
Choosing An Internet Service Provider (BBB)
Finding A Library
Or Other Location With Free Internet (ConnectNet)
The ConnectNet database, searchable by zip code, provides information about free
Internet access at libraries and other community technology centers.
ConnectNet, and its Spanish language counterpart Conectado, also operates a
toll-free telephone number (866) 583-1234 to provide the information to those
without Internet access.
Speeding
Up Your Home Internet Connection (Cable VS. DSL)
Compares cable to DSL:
The PROs and CONs for each one.
Web Hosting (Free Or Low Cost)
Find Out The Features
Provided By Each Web Hosting Company
Does the host have Front Page Extensions? Here's how to find out. Go to left
hand box "what's that site running" and enter in the site's web
address starting with "www".
Free Hosting Their search engine allows you to find a free or low cost a web host based on bandwidth, available disk space, and other features.
Find A Web Host (Google)
Free Web Hosting At
Tripod.com
You get 20 megs of space plus site building and file management tools.
To avoid their ads on your site, you'll have to pay.
Host PC Cheap plans that include a lot.
Free Service Providers
Free Internet Service Providers in All 50 States
(DC Not Listed)
Search your state and learn the pros and cons of each offer.
Free & Low Cost
Internet Access (52 Countries)
Find Out The Features
Provided By Each Web Hosting Service
Does the host have Front Page Extensions? Here's how to find out. Go to left
hand box "what's that site running" and enter in the site's web
address starting with "www".
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Search Engines
Tips
On How To Search Smarter
Find what you want much easier than you used to.
Improve
Your Search-Download The Google Toolbar
The new Google Toolbar(TM) increases your ability to find information from anywhere on the web and takes
only seconds to install. (Works only with Internet
Explorer)
Directory
Of Search Engines
Lists
dozens of special search engines so you can find
what you need.
Internet
Search Engines
A list of search engines.
Popularity Free
Claims can show you how many sites link to your site and who the websites are
that link to you. Also has a list of search engines you can register with for a
nominal monthly fee.
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Domain Names
Cybersquatting:
What It Is and What Can Be Done About It (Nolo)
What
To Do If The Domain Name You Want Is Taken (Nolo.com)
Domain Names & Trademark Law
(Nolo.com)
Here's what website builders need to know about trademark law.
Is your domain trademarked? If so, use this site to contact others who may be infringing on your mark. For example: you may want to notify another website user if they are using the same or nearly the same mark as a brand name. (Look for it being used not just as a URL but to identify their products or services.
How to Find a Domain Name Registrant
To find the name and address of a domain name owner, you can use the WHOIS search service provided by NSI.
Simply enter the domain name and your search results will include a contact name,
phone number, address and email address for the domain name's owner.
Reverse Domain
Name Lookup (Worldwide)
Scroll down the page for links to Asia and beyond.
European Whois (Reverse Domain Name Lookup In Europe)
Viruses
Removing Viruses Trojans Adware and Spyware (Consumer-SOS)
For tough, hard-to remove viruses, trojans, spyware and adware.
Cheap Computer
Repairs Done Online
Got a computer problem? These guys will fix it on the cheap. They avoid house
calls because they remotely access your computer on line.
Download A
New Browser Other Than Internet Explorer So You're Less Likely To Be Attacked By
Viruses and Trojans (Mozila Firefox)
Most viruses are specifically designed to exploit the weaknesses in Internet
Explorer. However,
other browsers are often immune to the same virus attacks.
For Another Browser, click here to download
Opera (site also describes what it does).
NOTE!!! THE MAJOR DRAWBACK OF A NON IE BROWSER IS THAT YOU MAY NOT BE
ABLE TO BOLD OR UNDERLINE IN YOUR EMAILS (the buttons may disappear). Also,
occasionally, a link on a website may not open. In these rare instances, simply
click on your IE icon to view.
André Bacard's Privacy Page
Scroll down for privacy websites, advice on surfing anonymously and getting rid
of cookies.
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Spotting Internet Hoaxes
What Should You Do?
www.snopes.com
Use their search engine up top to see if your story is true.
HoaxBusters
Use their hoax directory or search engine to see if your story is true.
See Also http://cluestick.me.uk/hoax/
which debunks all types of 'Electronic Ephemera' (Hoaxes, Scams, Spoofs, Urban
Legends, Chain E-Mails, etc.)
Spotting Other Hoaxes Not Listed In The Links Above
If you receive an email that may be a hoax, be sure to check it out on Google. Start by entering one of the names or phone numbers in the body
of the email. To verify warnings or sympathy letters, use the name or phone
number of the victim/person who claims it's a true story.
Put the name in quotation marks to narrow your search and avoid false leads.
Also add to your search box the word HOAX. If that doesn't work, try
a search using the word HOAX and 2 or three other words that
describe the situation. It may be that others have already posted warnings about
such.
For example: One day I received a warning to watch out for aids
infected needles hidden on the side of gas station pumps. The letter supposedly
came from a "Captain Abraham Sands" of the Florida Police Department.
I learned it was a hoax when I went to Yahoo and searched "Captain Abraham
Sands" and "gas". Within seconds I got several links telling me
this was just a hoax. The Florida Police Department never heard of Captain
Sands. The guy was pure fiction.
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WHAT DO I DO ABOUT 'PORN SPAM' IN MY E-MAIL BOX?
You can report it on this Web site www.obscenitycrimes.org
The purpose of "porn spam" is to promote Web sites that market pornography -- most (if not all) of which is hardcore. ObscenityCrimes.org was created to provide a link between citizens who become aware of Web sites that market hardcore pornography and federal prosecutors who are responsible for enforcing federal Internet obscenity laws.
In order to determine whether a particular Web site may be violating Internet obscenity laws, the Internet address (URL) or name of that Web site is usually needed.
Is there a risk that I will be exposed to pornography?
If you open porn spam e-mail or take additional steps to locate an Internet address (URL) or Web site name, you could be exposed to pornography. If you don't want to risk being exposed to pornography, don't open porn spam or take additional steps! For many individuals, that first "innocent glimpse" is the first step to sexual addiction.
If I open the porn spam, what then?
If the porn spam is in plain text (i.e., not in HTML format), look for the URL. It will say "http://(something or other)". That's your target. Copy this URL and provide it in the "At This Internet Address (URL)" box on the ObscenityCrimes Report Form.
If the porn spam doesn't have an "http://(something or other)" in plain view, that means your e-mail is in HTML format. Look for highlighted text in the porn spam. Highlighted text has a live link to a Web site. In some e-mail programs (e.g., Microsoft Outlook Express), you can "mouse-over" the live link (but don't click!) and read the Web address in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Jot down that Web address and provide it in the "At This Internet Address (URL)" box on the ObscenityCrimes Report Form.
If your e-mail is in HTML format, and if you have Microsoft's Outlook e-mail program (the full version), you can often print out the hidden links in an e-mail. Go to "File," then choose "Print." You're looking for a check off box marked, "Print table of links." In the Windows 98 version of MS Outlook, that box is on the front of the dialogue box; in the Windows 2000 version, that box is under the "Options" tab. Check that box, then print the e-mail. At the end of the printed e-mail, there will be a table of links. At least one of them will be an "http://(something or other)". Jot down that Web address and provide it in the "At This Internet Address (URL)" box on the ObscenityCrimes Report Form.
If you can't find a URL but do find a Web site name (e.g. "World's Biggest Pornography Site,"), provide that name in the "I Am Reporting An Internet Site Entitled" box on the ObscenityCrimes.org Report Form.
Go here to file the report: http://www.obscenitycrimes.org/complaint/ReportPornSpam.cfm