Animation Source Forums

There is no harm in stating your first name, nor is stating your gender, how are you going to make friends if they do not know your first name. Also stating your age is no harm, everyone has an age, giving away your email to someone isn't a big deal. Say you chat with someone via BS and you two would like to talk outside the site VIA AIM or Email, share art etc. there is no harm in giving out your email address.

Now, I wouldn't highly advise giving out your home address, last name, and phone number. This is a no, no, I know I myself have spoken to people from this site VIA phone etc. But there was a lot gone into that process before any information was given.

Becareful, their are some obvious warning signs to if you are speaking to a predator.

I would highly advise staying away from random chat rooms, most internet predators lurk there because they can just literally go un-noticed screen name to screen name nad new people come and go each night.

If someone asks you for some sexually explicit material or wants to you web cam something 'naughty' or even speak about it, hoping you are interested--do yourself a favour and block them.

Just because you think you know someone does mean you do, if someone who is 25 years older then you and you are 12 wants to "meet" you this is not a good idea. Immediately tell your parents.

If you do happen to find a genuine friend whom you have met online, speak with your parents, have them set up a meeting with your friend's parents, once they have spoken, maybe they can make arrangements for you and your friend to meet in the company of one of their parents and you may come with one of yours.

Okay, this is just a general thread about a news post about viruses and the such, yet it evolves into personal information on the interwebz.

In my opinion, people should already know this to be on the internet at all. If they don't, they're at a huge risk. Now I'm not saying to ignore this all, it's very important, and don't think it won't happen to you. I've had one try and go for me and I won't be surprised if it's another in a few months. But basically, I think this should just be a sticky so it's general knowledge, and everyone new should read it to know what they're risking being on any forum.

yhea i read it it rele does have some very good tips to be safe[*]

Good for you to bring this to our attention. Many folks here don't know the basic internet saftey tips and skills.

I no the basic stuff but i think its good that you can show the people that dont

The news post in question has mysteriously disappeared, thus removing the meaning of this topic. Un-announced and locked.