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Online Family Safety

Who can I complain to if a web site gathers my kid's information without my permission?

The Federal Trade Commission is a good start. The FTC helps enforce the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which prohibits web sites from collecting personal information from children under age 13. Search the FTC’s web site for COPPA or Kidz Privacy to find its online privacy tips for protecting kids’ data. You can also use the FTC web site to file a complaint.

And make sure to send an email to the web site creator to insist that your child’s data is removed from the site or service. In the future, one preventive measure is to only use web sites that are certified by companies like TRUSTe, which ensures privacy standards are met.

Archives

Is there a way to download YouTube videos so I can access them on my iPod? Is it safe?

I have a new follower on my Twitter account. She tweets links to pictures of herself. There isn't much info in her Twitter profile, and I don’t know who she is. Should I click on these links?

A friend told me their computer files locked up unless they typed their credit card information into a window. Can this really happen, or is it a scam?

Can you trust the information you read on Wikipedia? My teen wants to use the website as a source for a school report.

How do I back up Microsoft Outlook emails in case I need to refer to them in the future?

Help! Is there a way to recover files deleted from the Recycle Bin on my computer?

My daughter says her friend “hacked” into her Gmail account and read all of her messages. How does this happen?

I keep getting emails from my own email address, and the subject lines are always really lurid. Has someone hacked into my account? What should I do?

I want to set up a wireless network that covers my home and detached garage, which is 500 feet away. How can I reach this large area securely?

I just got an email offering me a deal on stock in a publicly traded company. I’d like to make money investing online, but how do I know who to trust?

The social network I signed up for sent me a note that it has changed its privacy policy. What does that mean for the privacy of messages I send to friends, the family photos I post and the personal information I put on my profile?

Is it safe for our family to get medical advice over the Internet?

I just got a new computer because my old one was riddled with viruses. I would like to keep many of my old files, but is it safe to transfer them over?

Some websites automatically begin playing a video when the home page launches. Why does this happen? Is there anything I can do to prevent the video from playing automatically?

When I visit certain websites, I get an error message on my computer that says I must have "cookies" to use the site. What is a cookie, and is it safe to use them?

When I get an email that has images embedded in the message field, my computer doesn’t automatically download the images. Are images embedded in an email a security risk?

My son wants to add songs to his iPod from two different computers -- our family home computer and his laptop. How can he do this without erasing the songs he already has on his iPod?

I use Skype to chat with friends around the world. But what should I do when I get a message from a user I don't know?

My kids really want to download music from peer-to-peer services, but I've heard this is a really bad idea. What should I do?

I've heard Apple computers aren't vulnerable to viruses. Does this mean Mac users don't need antivirus software?

I heard that some laptops are a fire risk when they overheat. Are laptops a fire hazard?

The online social network I use asked me to enter the password for my email account so that it could find my friends who might already be members. Is it safe to do this?

My kids and I send and receive text messages all the time. Are there any security risks to my phone?

I have a surge protector that's kept my computer safe for the last five years. When should I get a new one?

I hear that YouTube and other sites may stop working on Internet Explorer 6. Should I change to another browser?

The homepage for my Internet browser no longer goes to the page I originally set up. It changed automatically. What happened?

Every site I go to on the web seems to have a privacy policy. Should I actually read them?

I've heard that hackers might install keystroke logging software on my computer via the Internet. What is it? And how can I stop it?

How do I best protect my privacy on social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace?

I have virus protection software, but I keep getting warnings saying my computer is at risk and needs antivirus protection. What should I do?

How can viruses, worms, and Trojan horses get onto my computer?

Am I creating a security risk when I leave my computer turned on and connected to the Internet 24/7?

My teenager's new friend claims he's a computer hacker? Should I be alarmed?

When I surf the Web, sometimes new windows pop up on my computer screen. Are they dangerous?

I sometimes surf the Internet at my workstation, and I'm afraid I might get more spam at work as a result. What can I do to keep from getting spam?

My friend is always posting pictures of our kids online but I feel a little nervous about it. Do I have anything to worry about?

We only use our computer to do homework and email friends. Do we really have anything that a hacker would want?

My friend always forwards me chain letters, jokes or well-known email scams. How can I get her to stop?

Every site I go to on the web seems to have a privacy policy. Should I actually read them?

How do I prevent neighbors from getting onto my wireless Internet network and surfing the Web on my dime?

How often should I empty the trash on my computer?

We're considering buying an inexpensive refurbished computer. Any pitfalls we should avoid?

Sometimes I work at home on weekends and use my personal email account to send information to co-workers and clients. Is this a bad idea?

How often should I empty the trash on my computer?

Do websites, like video games or movies, have rating systems to protect kids from adult content?

I get so many emails each day. Etiquette-wise, how long is too long to wait to reply?

I've been looking for jobs online but I don't want my resume to get lost in the shuffle. How can I make sure it was received?

I received an email that offered free beauty products if I visited a certain web site. Is this deal for real?

Is it safe for our family to get medical advice over the Internet?

Is there a way that I can remotely teach my mom how to use her new computer?

My 65-year-old retired mom has never been online before, and she wants to keep in touch with me and the kids via email. How can I get her started safely?

Instead of buying a new computer, is it safe to just add more memory to my current PC?

My son wants a camera and web-enabled mobile phone, but I've heard that some schools are banning them. Why is that?

Do web sites, like video games or movies, have rating systems to protect kids from adult content?

When I surf the Web, sometimes new windows pop up on my computer screen. Are they dangerous?

We're considering buying an inexpensive refurbished computer. Any pitfalls we should avoid?

We only use our computer to do homework and email friends. Do we really have anything that a hacker would want?

I'm always worried our laptop could be easily stolen. Is there a way to protect it?

Everyone in our family uses the computer a lot. How can we prevent wrist or other injuries?

How can I let my teen shop safely online?

If my son loses his MP3 player or laptop, is that covered under my homeowner's insurance?

How can I let my teen shop safely online?

Should I let my young children have their own email accounts?

We only use our computer to do homework and email friends. Do we really have anything that a hacker would want?

Where does spam come from?

I'm always worried our laptop could be easily stolen. Is there a way to protect it?

I'm tired of buying two of everything. Is it possible for my kids to share their digital music player?

We're going to let our 16-year-old son have his own computer in his bedroom. Are there any ground rules we should set?

Is there a safe way to share and edit versions of a Word document via a web site?

During summer vacation, how can I make sure my teens don't spend too much time online or view inappropriate web sites while I'm at work?

If I click a pop-up ad to answer a quiz question or play a quick game, will the advertiser be able to get my personal information?

My friend is always posting pictures of our kids online but I feel a little nervous about it. Do I have anything to worry about?

I buy a lot of things online. Will I get spam from the sites where I shop?

Is it illegal to burn my digital music onto CDs?

My best friend is always writing about her boss in her personal blog. Could she get fired?

I'm changing email addresses. How do I make sure people who email the old one can still reach me?

I've heard my new U.S. passport will be embedded with an ID chip. What is this?

When I search the Internet for my personal web site, a lot of other sites come up with the same domain--but they are not my site. What's going on?

How can I find out which hotels offer free and secure Net access versus charging for it?

Is it safe to use any web sites that let me see all my financial accounts in one place?

Is there a secure way to get web access on an airplane?

Who can I complain to if a web site gathers my kid's information without my permission?

Can I safely access my web site bookmarks from any computer?

Is it legal to upload TV clips from my favorite shows to sites like YouTube?

I've heard that some social networking sites offer parental notification features. How can I use these controls?

Sometimes when I'm filling out forms on a web site, my private information automatically appears as I'm typing. Why does this happen and is my privacy being threatened?

My accountant's computer was stolen and my tax return and personal information could be exposed. What should I do?

Friends tell me they never get junk email, but I get a lot. What am I doing wrong?

My computer sometimes freezes up and if I can't close down my files I just unplug the PC from the electrical outlet. Will doing this harm my computer?

The tech guy at work sends emails to the staff about backing up our documents. I'm embarrassed to say that I don't know how to backup. Do I really need to do this?

At what age is it OK for my child to go online alone?

Where's the best place to download safe video podcasts for my kids to watch?

If I click a pop-up ad to answer a quiz question or play a quick game, will the advertiser be able to get my personal information?

I never give out my work email address but people seem to find it anyway. How do they track it down?

I don't always want to use the small screen of my laptop. Is there a safe way to connect my laptop to a regular-sized computer monitor?

I buy a lot of things online. Will I get spam from the sites where I shop?

Is there any way to automatically limit the amount of time my teen son spends on the computer?

Is it safe to do conference calls through the web?

Some days my Internet access is so slow. What can I do to keep it speedy?

I'm always worried our laptop could be easily stolen. Is there a way to protect it?

We just got a new computer for our kids. What's the best way to block out unwanted adult content?

Is it safe to sign electronic documents digitally versus printing them and signing with pen and ink?

I just bought a new laptop. Is there a safe way to transfer my data from my old computer to my new one without destroying files?

My computer has a lot of programs that I don't use and they are taking up memory. What is the safest way to delete these program files?

My email program is starting to slow down to a crawl and I'm afraid it's going to crash. What should I do?

Texting and web surfing has made my daughter's cell phone bill too high. Are there more affordable alternatives?

I got an email from an online auction site confirming that I had purchased a new TV. But I didn't make this purchase. What should I do?

My accountant's computer was stolen and my tax return and personal information could be exposed. What should I do?

I've heard that some social networking sites offer parental notification features to keep kids safe. How can I use these controls?

My friend uses a "nanny" camera to monitor her kids' caregivers. How is this used to protect children?

My daughter is being harassed on a social network site. Who do I report this to?

Sometimes when I'm filling out forms on a web site, my private information automatically appears as I'm typing. Why does this happen and is my privacy being threatened?

Why does my laptop sometimes get hot and the fan revs up?

I seem to get lost when searching the Internet and I want to avoid ending up on a dangerous or offensive site. How can I conduct streamlined searches and get the information I want faster?

Is there a way to automatically back up certain files, such as my email addresses?

We have a road trip coming up. Can I transfer my old books on tape (or CD) to my iPod?

Is it legal to upload TV clips from my favorite shows to sites like YouTube?

How do viruses, worms, and Trojan horses get onto my computer?

I've heard you can use tools to track the location of people who visit your MySpace profile. Is this true?

I want to recycle my old cell phone, but I'm not sure how. Any advice?

My neighbor recently halved her monthly phone bill by switching from her traditional landline telephone service to Internet calling. Is so-called voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) safe? What are the pros and cons?

Sometimes an email from a friend ends up in my junk mail folder. How can I receive the emails I want, and direct the unwanted ones to my junk box?

Sometimes I need to use our home computer to send a last-minute email to my work from my personal account. Is this a bad idea?

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