We  love Orlando, but even he can look pretty goofy... How NOT to look foolish on the Internet*: Do's and Don'ts for old and 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, ITIS.smwc.edu has put together a handy list of Do's and Don'ts. Commit these to memory -- you won't regret it. When Using Email...   NEVER forward a virus warning you received via email. The likelihood of it being a hoax is nearly 100%. If it's real, we have already heard about it from our anti-virus vendor or a reputable web site like ZDNet. See this site for up-to date information   NEVER forward a message that contains the phrase "send this to everyone you know" or some variant. It's a hoax, or chain letter. You can, send everyone here at SMWC the link to THIS, page, especially if they REALLY need to read it..   NEVER delete a file from your machine when some email tells you too. It's a hoax. If there is a REAL virus we will let you know   NEVER originate or pass along a chain letter or a pyramid scheme -- you can get in big trouble and you could really tick people off. Don't do it!  BTW** you should go read our CODE!  ** ByTheWay   Never assume that 'everyone' understands your abbreviations.... {TIA: thanks in advance, BTW:see above, TTYL:TalkToYouLater,}   Think very hard before forwarding anything that originates with someone you don't know.   NEVER believe that someone got an inheritance, or felt guilty of their sins or the like, and wants you to send them a credit card or bank account number so you can share in the wealth.... the only wealth they want to share in is YOURS>>>>>> however if you want to send ME your credit card information go right ahead....   If you did not ASK someone to send you an attachment DON'T OPEN IT. It is most likely a virus.... Even if it looks legitimate (Microsoft will NOT send you files in this manner.... EVER...)   IF we need to send out a warning or need you to do some "Emergency" updates on your machine because of a virus or the like, it will come from someone in IT DIRECTLY NOT a generic account like 'postmaster' or 'admin' or the like..... these are almost ALWAYS virus'   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.   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.   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.   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. I know that is how I would prefer it how about you...   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...   If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Don't be a sucker.   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.   Assume that anything you post to the web will last forever, if not on our site, in Google caches, or at waybackmachine.org. Before posting anything, ask yourself, 'will this reflect well on me in five years who a prospective employer is checking out my resume?'   Assume that someone knows where you are surfing on the web, because they do. [No I don't personally have time to care, OR monitor you... but someone MIGHT]   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...   ALWAYS log out when you leave your computer.   REALIZE, it's not just YOUR computer any more, you are directly hooked to MILLIONS of other computers on the internet. if you do not practice good security your RISKING a job and lots of OTHER PEOPLES private information..   ALWAYS keep your password private. You never know what someone else is going to do in your name.   AVOID the temptation to write your password on a Post-it note and stick it to your monitor.   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.   *Much of the content on this page is "borrowed" from other sources, some is even my own....  (key rule of the net, at least admit your plagiarizing or creating a derivative work. {http://www.goshen.edu/its/general/rulesoftheroad.shtml}) Taken from http://ITIS.smwc.edu, Compiled by Eric Weeks