Nearly three billion people in the world have Internet access. For many of those people, the Internet is a primary source of communication. Email, chat programs, and online phone calls allow people to connect with each other all over the world.
People also use the Internet to do research. Many websites offer information that is only available online. Students, business people, curious parents, and news reporters are just a few of the types of people who search for information online.
The Internet is not just about communication and research, though. There are a lot of ways to have fun online. You can look at pictures, listen to music, and even watch movies. If you like games, there are numerous formats that allow you to compete against your friends. Social media sites can show you what your family and friends are doing.
With so much personal information available online, it is important to be safe when using your computer. The Internet reveals a lot about other people’s lives. Every day there are stories on the news about hackers stealing private emails and personal information such as addresses and credit card numbers. Keeping your information private may seem impossible, but there are a few steps you can take to stay safe online.
Do not sign up for sites without a parent's permission. Most social media sites have age limits. You should check to make sure you are allowed to use a site before you sign up. You should also be sure your parents know which sites you visit. They may be able to give you some advice about how to use the site safely.
Create unique passwords. Commonly used passwords such as "12345" and "password" make it easy for people to access your online accounts. Decide on a password that is both easy to remember and unique to you. One easy way to do this is to make your password a short phrase or sentence, such as "LivinginChicago." To make the password even more unique, you can add numbers to it. For example, if your street address is 288 Highland Street, your password could be "Living288inChicago."
Read website privacy policies. Most people do not take the time scroll to the bottom of a website in order to read the privacy policy, but doing so is worth the effort. The privacy policy will tell you if the website sells your personal information to outside companies. If it does, consider logging in as a guest, rather than setting up an account.
Do not share personal information online with people you do not know. Even though you may feel like you know a person when you read about him or her online, be careful not to share personal information with anyone. You should never reveal where you live, your phone number, or any other private data.
Be aware of scams. One way to stay safe online is to know what techniques hackers are using to steal personal information. If you know what to look for, you can easily avoid becoming a victim.
The Internet has a lot to offer, but one must also be wary. By following the five steps above, you should be able to enjoy the Internet and feel safe while doing so. Taking advantage of all of the great things available online is better and safer when you keep your privacy.
2
Select the correct answers.
Which two ways does the third paragraph contribute to the development of ideas in the passage?
It talks about the importance of reading privacy policies, which is something people need to start doing more often.
It contradicts the first two paragraphs by talking in detail about the dangers of giving out personal information on the Internet.
It adds to the information in the first two paragraphs by describing how the Internet can be used for entertainment.
It supports the idea in the first paragraph that the Internet is a primary source of communication for people today.
It supports the idea in the second paragraph that certain websites provide information that can only be found on the Internet.