Was my account Hacked?
Are things appearing under your name that you didn’t write?
If your friends say you have a second Facebook account, your password is probably not stolen. Computer programs are circulating which scrape public information off your page and make another account to gain access to your contacts. They then send them spam. You can report the fake account to Facebook and post to friends that the second account is not you.
Does no paper means no limit on how much I say?
People read faster an less online. Keep it short and sweet. Online, the fewer words, the better.
Why are people saying I’m yelling?
When you are on social media, ALL CAPS means yelling and makes it difficult to read. Avoid this, and avoid excess punctuation. You may want to say Thanks!!!!!! but in all other cases one period is enough.
But can’t they tell I didn’t mean it that way?
You can save emails as draft and come back later. Check your spelling, grammar, and tone of the message. Be Kinder than You Need to Be: Flamewars are when people rant or name call or continue to fight in a public forum. A fight in person last less long than online.
What is that Acronym?
There are short forms that people use online. A few common ones include:
AFAIK – As far as I know
BRB – be right back
BTW – By the way
FWIW – For what it’s worth
LOL – Laughing out loud
ICYMI: – In case you missed it
POV – Point of view
TY – Thank you
Do I have to use my real name?
More and more service providers ask that you use your real name in email addresses and online accounts. This is to ensure people are accountable and not hiding behind a fictional handle.
It looks better when you you apply for jobs and your email address is your name rather than fuzzynavel66@gmail.com or Ilovecats2@hotmail.com.
Is what I just wrote seen publicly?
Even a private email can be accidentally forwarded to a stranger. Anything you put online, on twitter, on Facebook, and even in email, can be found and may be admissible to court or searched by a potential bosses. Border guards can search phones. You can’t control who sees something once it has left your computer.
Even accounts that are set to private can have computer glitches that switch them to public for a brief time.
What’s safe to share?
Don’t share your address, phone number, social security number, and driver’s license information. You don’t want to make things easy for identity thieves, burglars, and predators.
Commonly quizzes ask for your date of birth, maiden name and other security questions for banking information. It can be a scam. Don’t get phished. Phishing is when you get your information stolen for fraud.
Don’t forward every “fact sheet” you get since many are urban legends or may carry viruses on the back of your good intent.
Is this Spam?
Any email that tells you that your computer needs a security update is junk mail. Never buy things or share your credit card or banking information with a service that sells itself by email.
If it says you have a delivery coming, or a late bank payment, usually they have an image like the company, but different and points to somewhere in Brazil. Delete and don’t open.
If the letter is from a stranger wishing to transfer money, from the Canadian Revenue Agency, anyone needing money transferred immediately, give you virus protection software, give you a cheap vacation, or trying to sell you home repairs by email, it’s fraud.
Can I avoid people?
On Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn if someone is harassing you can block them from seeing or contacting you. If there is someone you don’t wish to hear from, you can enter their email address and block them before they contact you.
What is Netiquette
Online rules are called netiquette. They make for easier communication among people.
Be discrete. Never say anything negative about your company, your former company, your boss, or your coworkers. You never know what may wind up being forwarded, whether it’s intentional or an accidental slip of the finger on the “send” button.
How Can I remember my password
Don’t share your passwords and when in public cafés, don’t let your screen be seen. With passwords people can change your information. You can set up your computer to remember your passwords.
Other Cyber-Safety Information:
Ottawa police advice for fraud prevention
RCMP on Bullying and Scams
Get Cyber-Safe with tips on fraud and respect
Kids and the Internet by the Safety Council
Internet-safe resources for children