How to Protect Your Children's Privacy and Safety in network from virus and from hackers

1. Never reveal personal information. It needs to be drummed into kids they can never give away any real aspects of their identity. This includes information such as name, address, phone number, school, and parent’s work address. If this kind of information is needed to register with a web site, parents should get involved.
2. Use only moderated chat rooms. Chatting won’t go away, but it can be made safer. Parents should be just as wary of who their kids talk to online as they are in person. Keep kids away from private or one-on-one chat rooms, and ask to be introduced to online friends.
3. Talk about bad experiences. Children need to understand that they can talk to their parents if they come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable while online. Discussing issues with an adult they trust will help them to realize that a bad experience is not their fault.
4. Spend time with children online. Being online is no different than being outside; you always want to know where your children are and become familiar with the places they visit. Learn about their favorite sites and online friends. Going online is a big part of your kids’ lives, and it’s important that you share in that.
5. Never meet online friends in person. Online, it’s easy to be someone different. People who seem friendly online may be of questionable character in reality. If a child wants to meet an online friend, make sure that it’s done only under strict adult supervision, and in a public place.
6. Be mindful of viruses. Tell kids to be extremely careful of email they get from strangers. Besides containing inappropriate material, it could have viruses that lodge inside PC and leave it vulnerable to attack. It’s almost always better to delete emails of unknown origin and not open them.
7. Think twice about sending pictures. Sending family or school pictures to family and friends online is fine...as long as it’s done with a parent’s permission. However, sending pictures to strangers is unacceptable under any circumstances. In the wrong hands, these pictures can be used for a variety of sinister purposes.
8. Avoid using real last names. Don’t give people, friends or otherwise, more information than they need. This is especially important if the situation appears to be unusual. Instead of using your real last name, for example, it’s a safer bet to use your middle name, or just make one up.
9. Stop at offensive web sites. Tell children that they need to trust their instincts when they come across a web site that makes them uncomfortable. After all, even a misspelled URL can take a browser to a foul site. Tell the kids it is okay, as long as they get out of that site.