How to Avoid Embarrassing Yourself on the Internet

Do's and Don'ts for New Computer Users

No one likes to look foolish in front of their friends, but the Internet affords plenty of opportunities to flaunt your ignorance to the world. To save you from falling into the most common pitfalls, ITS has put together a handy list of Do's and Don'ts. Commit these to memory -- you won't regret it.

When Using Email...

1. NEVER forward a virus warning you received via email. The likelihood of it being a hoax is nearly 100%. If it's real, ITS has already heard about it from our anti-virus vendor or a reputable web site like ZDNet. See the ITS Virus Wise page for more information.
    
2. NEVER forward a message that contains the phrase "send this to everyone you know" or some variant. It's a hoax.
    
3. NEVER originate or pass along a chain letter or a pyramid scheme -- you can get in big trouble. There's one circulating at GC now about Microsoft and AOL paying people for passing along a particular message. It's a hoax. It's a violation of the computing code of conduct to forward it. Don't do it!
    
4. Think very hard before forwarding anything that originates with someone you don't know.
    
5. NEVER assume that email is private. Think of it as analogous to a postcard. If you wouldn't want to see it printed on the front page of the New York Times, don't send it via email.
    
6. NEVER send movie files as attachments. They're too big. If you must share a movie, put it in your personal web space and email the URL to it.
    
7. Think twice about sending e-mail to massive numbers of people. If you absolutely must, put the addresses in the bcc: field. It'll protect the privacy of the other recipients and save people from having to scroll forever to read your message.
    
8. Edit out irrelevant content from lengthy exchanges. If the subject has changed since the original message, change the subject line. This avoids messages with subjects like "re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Let's get together" and message bodies with more>>>>>>>>>'s than content.
    
9. Avoid punitive cc:ing. This is an all-to-common practice of copying everyone important you know when you're upset with someone or something. Deal directly and privately with people whenever possible. Remember that face-to-face conversations are usually the best way to resolve differences. Punitive cc:ing makes you look bad, damages relationships with the recipient and wastes the time of everyone on the cc: line. BETTER: resolve the issue privately and deal directly with related parties for any remaining issues.
    
10. Think twice before bcc:ing someone. Too often it's just a sneaky tactic. Most of us would prefer not to be thought of as sneaky.

On the World Wide Web...

1. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Don't be a sucker.
    
2. NEVER put anything on your personal home page that you wouldn't want your grandma, your kid sister or your future employer to read, because they probably will.
    
3. Assume that anything you post to the web will last forever, if not on our site, in Google caches or on the WayBack Machine. Before posting anything, ask yourself, 'will this reflect well on me in five years who a prospective employer is checking out my resume?'
    
4. Assume that someone knows where you are surfing on the web, because they do.
    
5. Err on the side of being too ethical. (Is that possible?) The Internet affords plenty of opportunities for self-destruction to those with poor judgment. If it's at all questionable, don't mess with it.

Your Passwords...

1. ALWAYS log out when you leave your computer.
    
2. ALWAYS keep your password private. You never know what someone else is going to do in your name.
    
3. AVOID the temptation to write your password on a Post-it note and stick it to your monitor.
    
4. ALWAYS pick a good password. Misspelling common words, joining two words, adding numbers and symbols, using foreign or nonsense words are all useful strategies. For more info see Netscapes's guidelines on choosing a secure password.