Using the Internet: Netiquette

MEANING OF NETIQUETTE

Netiquette, or net etiquette, refers to etiquette on the Internet. Good netiquette involves respecting others' privacy and not doing anything online that will annoy or frustrate other people. Three areas where good netiquette is highly stressed are e-mail, online chat, and newsgroups. For example, people that spam other users with unwanted e-mails or flood them with messages have very bad netiquette. You don't want to be one of those people. If you're new to a newsgroup or online chat room, it may help to observe how people communicate with each other before jumping in.

 

NETIQUTTE GUIDELINES

DO NOT CAPITALISE EVERYTHING

It looks as if you are shouting at people.

CRITICISM

It is hard to interpret people’s mind over the Internet; sometimes people meant to say otherwise.

PAY ATTENTION TO LANGUAGE ISSUES

Improper, inappropriate or bad language may get a participant kicked out or permanently banned from a forum or group.

THINK BEFORE POSTING

It is important to note, what is posted online today, may come back and haunt the writer tomorrow.

AVOID HUMOUR

Some people might not understand the jokes at all.

Instead, you can use emoticons:



HAPPY



SAD



REPLY QUICKLY

People will expect to receive a reply within a day

PASSWORD MANAGEMENT

Do not use your login name.

Do not use your first, middle, or last name.

Do not use other information easily obtained; birth date, plate numbers, telephone numbers.

Do not use a password of all digits or the entire same letter.

Do not use a password shorter than six characters.

Do use a password with mixed-case alphabetic.

Do use a password with non-alphabetic.

Internet security

The openness of the Internet has dramatically transformed global communications, making it possible for people around the world to easily exchange information. But the very same openness also creates an enormous problem. Anyone can access the network, yet not everyone has good intentions.

Types of internet security threats